Ream or New Locking Shoulder

[Peter Laidler]

It just sounds to me like locking shoulders won't fix your problem because the variation between the selection is insufficient to rectify the shrinkage you have. I don't think that the shoulders are case hardened. They are simply tough material and I'd start by surface grinding, say, .010" at a time off the angled locking surface until the breech block JUST closes over the .064" gauge. That way, you have retained the working geometry of the breech block in relation to the breech, piston post and therefore mechanical safety and so on and on. Not that I have ever welded one up again. But cut a few up! and repaired about a zillion of 'em

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[sundance8]

Thanks Peter,
Prior to your post I decided to try and mill the backside of the locking shoulder to preserve any hardening of contact surfaces.
Success! I now lock up on a .064 gauge and do not on a .067 gauge. I now have to slightly elongate the srew hole in the receiver and stake everything in place.
Thanks tremendously for your thoughts.