I have a Tender that I changed the barrels on now I cant get it to open, what would cause this and how can it be fixed?

If it is still stuck, remove the forend and tap out the hinge pin. If another barrel works fine, compare the locking bolts on both and see if there is something different about the sticky one. Older barrels with the one-piece locking bolt can be finicky. Is your frame serial number earlier than 195xxx?

I took the pin out and still cant get the barrel loose. The serial # are 383xxx and 390xxx.

Is there a fired case in the chamber?

No

sounds like the locking lugs are hung up, it's a pretty simple lever system, when you pull the trigger guard the locking spring is compressed and it comes loose. It might be possible there is something in the frame but I'm guessing the barrel. Was the barrel hard to close and is there any gap between the face of the frame and the back of the barrel. Will the trigger guard pull back at all or is it froze too.

When you do get the barrel off, replace the one piece bolt with a 2 piece "split bolt", and keep it dry. Do not oil the locking bolt!

There is a small gap between the barrel and the frame and the trigger guard will pull back. Its strange cause the barrel I originally had on it worked great.

when you take the barrel of look at the extractor,where it comes in contact with frame.I had an older barrel that was hard opening over time I guess(I'd bought it used)it had developed a notch on the extractor where it comes in contact with the frame not allowing it to slide on the angled part of the extractor.basically it was getting hung up and not allowing the barrel to pivot

Trying other barrels on my new frame Im thinking its the barrel. My other barrels work fine on the new frame but the new barrel is the one Im having problems with. Now its stuck on my old frame.

I bought a used 44 mag Contender barrel from Eds TC about 10 years ago and had the same problem. Took it to him and he took the barrel off the gun and changed the locking lugs. It had a two piece lug and needed a one piece lug. Never had another problem with it.

Its on its way to my gunsmith!

I did finaly get the barrel loose by breaking it over my knee. I thought it was a fluke so I put it back on and had to do the same thing, break it over my knee. I tried another barrel on the same frame and it was flawless, so off the the gunsmith it goes.

You can order and install locking bolts yourself.

Hey now don't be messing with my custonmers

Actually I'm doing some other work for him anyways and this way I can inspect the frame to make sure something isn't funky.

He didn't say who his 'smith was ;-)

LOL, hes the only Smith I know!

Hey, Rod is probably just excited about not working on a Ruger. Blood pressure is a funny thing ;^)

Craig