Tune Up Kits

Some "out of the box" TCs shoot just great as they are, but all Encores need some help due to the many variables in barrels, frames, and ammo in the less than perfect Encore interchangeable barrel system.

With any mass produced item, when there is a problem the usual procedure is to "send it back to the factory." However, we have found over and over again that the factory simply does not have the policy or procedures in place to cure problems inherent in their interchangeable barrel, break open system.

Usually you spend about $15 or more sending a problem barrel back to the factory, only to still have the same problem, usually a problem with accuracy or misfires or both with the next barrel when in all probability the first barrel would have shot just fine if given the chance to do so. Often shooters send barrels back many times before either getting lucky or giving up after spending a sinful amount of wasted time and money. I say sinful, because there is something inherently wrong with this picture.

Additionally, TC states that no frame leaves the factory with less than a 5 pound trigger pull, which is hardly suitable for you to do your best shooting.

Included in our Tune Up Kit are the absolutely essential items EVERY Encore shooter must have to make the gun work reliably and accurately. It addresses everything except forend bedding.

Here is what you get and why:

3/32" pin punch for disassembling the frame and also installing our Heavy Duty Locking Bolt Spring in the barrel lug.

Our sear/trigger spring pliers:
They are designed to grasp the spring by the coils securely so you can easily install the spring with the least chance of launching it across the room into never never land or wherever it is lost parts go. You will need this essential tool for reassembly after cleaning for as long as you shoot Encores, or G2s. Works for both.

Our most popular #3 trigger/sear spring for typically a 2 1/2 to 3 pound trigger pull.
This is the lightest pull weight that normally does not require any modification of the sear notch for safe, reliable cocking of the hammer. (Lighter pull weights usually do.)

#51 pound hammer spring:
The factory issue hammer spring has a value of about 30 pounds at normal compression with the hammer cocked. It is adequate under ideal conditions. However, excess headspace and/or the weight of a hammer extension on the hammer produce misfires and poor accuracy with the issue spring.

While the stronger hammer spring is not a total fix for problems caused by excess headspace, it does dramatically help barrel/frame/ammo combinations with less than ideal headspace and gives stronger, more consistent ignition with all barrels.

If you have misfires and call TC, one of the first things they will ask is whether you are using a hammer extension, and if you are, they will tell you not to use one. This is simply an admission that the factory hammer spring is not as strong as it needs to be with the added weight of a hammer extension.

At the same time one almost has to use a hammer extension in order to safely cock the hammer with a scope installed, even with the swivel hammers which do not extend far enough.

BTW, NEVER use a steel hammer extension. They are too heavy and very prone to breaking off the hammer spur, as well as needlessly slowing down the hammer fall. Use only aluminum hammer extensions on Encores and G2's.

1x Oversize Hinge Pin for the Encore/ProHunter,
or .3752" in the G2 tune up kit.
Since by design the stock hinge pins are meant to be a "slip fit" for pure ease of swapping barrels, there will always be some degree of shake and rattle at the hinge using the factory issue hinge pin. However, it is necessary to give up some "ease" in order to get rid of eratic movement at the hinge and change the fit classification to "interference fit," meaning some degree of force will be required to install the hinge pin.

With Encores and ProHunters start with the first increment larger pin, our 1x Oversize Hinge pin. It will fit virtually ALL barrel and frame hinge pin holes without reaming. It is the starting point trying pins for fit. You may find that one or more of the three holes at the hinge is loose on the 1x pin and may need to move up to the next larger pin, the 2x, which may or may not also require reaming a barrel hinge pin hole or the frame holes. We also offer oversize hinge pins in two larger size increments for more extreme situations requiring still larger pins.

With G2's, normally our .3752" Oversize Hinge Pin fits virtually all barrel and frame hinge pin holes without reaming and is the only size necessary. (Note, however, we do have .376" pins and reamers available for extremely oversized holes.

Feeler Gauge Set.
Use this to measure the distance from the end of the barrel to the firing pin bushing in the breechface. In some instances it can also be used as a quick means to measure also the distance from the case head to the firing pin bushing, ie, the cartridge case "head" "space."

Bellm Headspace Indicator:
Zero the 1" dial indicator, place a sized case or loaded round in the chamber, and measure where the case head is in relationship to the end of the barrel, be it dead flush and reading "0," however many thousandths below the end of the barrel, or however many thousandths above the end of the barrel the case protrudes.

You compare this reading to the barrel-to-frame gap measurement to get the true, measured headpace with any cartridge in any given barrel and frame combination. It is precise, quick, and easy to do.

The traditional method using steel SAAMI "headspace gauges" does not give a true picture of headspace, is not precise enough, and does not tell you what headspace is produced with either factory ammo or your hand loaded ammo. Measure it yourself and know for sure. Save time and gas money by not running down to "my local gunsmith" who 9 times out of 10 cannot tell you what you need to know about headspace in these break open guns...... unless they have studied, understood, and applied the information on our website.

You will also use the Headspace Indicator for, among many other things, measuring the distance from the ends of the riflings to the firing pin bushing (breechface), thus eliminating other expensive gadgets that do not take a direct reading and thus potentially induce errors.

You will also use it to measure the thicknesses of the 6 firing pin bushing shims included in the kit.

Firing Pin Bushing Shims:
You get 6 of these shims correctly sized for your frame type, Encore/Pro Hunter, original Contender, or G2.
Assortment of: 2-.005", a .004", a .003", a .002", and a .001" shims

This gives you the ability to adjust headspace in an extreme situation, such as is common with belted magnums, up to .020" on one barrel and frame combination. With headspace tolerance ranges normally encountered with most barrels, the assortment included may be sufficient to correct headspace in up to 6 frames.

Shim installation is quick and easy. Just unscrew the allen screw in front of the hammer and push the firing pin bushing out the front of the frame. Notch the precision, hardened stainless steel shims with scissors for the firing pin bushing screw to go through and install the shims behind the firing pin bushing. It only adds minutes to those barrel changes that may require different shim thicknesses for correct headspace with a particular barrel as required.

G2's do require disassembly of the frame for removal of the firing pin bushing. Refer to our free download on www.bellmtcs.com or get our revised printed shop manual for instructions when it becomes available.

Original Contenders require only removing the hammer.

Note that the end of the barrel may have to be shortened to make room for the firing pin bushing to protrude far enough to correct headspace. This can be done in a lathe, a mill, filed by hand, or on a belt sander. Neater is better, so we recommend the first two methods, lathe or mill, and will perform this service for you if you cannot get it done properly locally.

And finally, our Heavy Duty Locking Bolt Spring.
This spring goes in the barrel lug in front of the locking bolts, the spring loaded parts that engage the frame to lock the barrel closed. I know, bolts are usually round. These parts are rectangular, but the factory still calls them bolts.

Encore/ProHunter and G2 barrels all use the same locking bolt spring.

Our Heavy Duty Locking Bolt Springs are about 1/3 stronger than factory issue. They drive the locking bolts more firmly into the frame for a tighter, more consistent lockup.

See specific product pages and articles for more information.

Get the FREE DOWNLOAD ENCORE TRIGGER JOB INSTRUCTIONS from the main www.bellmtcs.com site or purchase our printed Encore and G2 Trigger Job Instruction shop manual.

Here is to your best shooting!

Mike Bellm,
developer of the Mike Bellm TCs custom accessories

Choose Encore/ProHunter or G2 from the choices below.