[W. Tell]

I cain't say for sure, but this is most probably a forend problem! Does anything rub against it (action parts). Bedding could be a solution.

The barrel deal is not it, they are cold hammer forged. Your barrel is OK!

I don't like and have little experience with semi's. But I know there is also som'ting called "firstshot syndrome". Pistolshooters complain about this I've heard: When the action operates under manual force, the locking is a little different, than it is when it is operated by recoil/gas...but you should find a better gunsmith than the one you got it from! If he sells you a gun he'd better know how it works!

 

[W. Tell]

Sure I'm with you gunnut69! All you said sounds allright! :grin:

Any barrel can have stress in it more or less, as you said, or shall we say they all do. Cut barrels have the least. Another manufactureing method, used more than cutting, is buttonrifled barrels, this method is VERY dependent on the quality of each bach or lot of steel than coldhammering is. Only Savage, of all of the largest makers, makes cutbarrels these days. I still think we can be quite sure his barrel is ok. It's not the first thing to look for att least...

I'm with you, it's probably a heat problem- some part is rubbing the forend-be it barrel or gas operating parts...bedding is probably a solution. The damn thing IS gonna warp by heat no matter what, they all do!