Utah,
Looking at your photos, I believe the rib extension has moved to the rear. It may have moved a little and may still be tight, but it has moved, as the rib matting lines no longer mate up with the lines in the top of the rib extension, and looking closely, the sides of the rib extension where it comes out of the barrel face, look to be above the surface of the barrel face. Now it may have moved and still lock up properly, but I doubt it. If it is a "dire" as I think, the only way to repair it, is remove the ribs and all, which are soft soldered. Then with proper heat, remove the rib extension, clean, re flux and silver solder the extension back in place, then reassemble the barrel set. No small job.
When building the barrels, after the barrels are silver soldered together the seat for the rib extension is cut (maybe like 3/16 in or so) and the extension silver soldered in place. AH Fox barrels were built in a similar fashion.
If one tries to re silver solder the extension back where it should be, without cleaning the joint, one stands a good chance of not getting a good joint, and compromising the soft solder joint of the top rib, In my opinion. It generally is worth doing right. IMO
Dennis,
Extension is "loose".
I purposely opened the gap to show the length. It is still attached at the bottom/rear where it now "pivots". Don't want to move it much so as to not flex/weaken that area.
Was hoping that wiring the ribs and then removing the extension would provide the needed access for cleaning the surfaces. That does not appear to be the case.
Thought about wiring up the ribs and removing the extension, just to see what I am dealing with. But that is almost a guarantee to losing the extension.
Not really sure that a Field Grade NID is worth the time & effort to strip and relay the ribs to remove the extension. I AGREE that it would be the correct way to do so from your description of the original/factory extension installation.
I think for now, I'll reassemble the gun as is and sit it aside for another day.
If that day doesn't come in the near future, I'll part out the gun.
