Posted 29 September 2003 - 07:21 PM
Mike, here is some info, and I hope that it helps. The following was barrowed from an article written by Doug Richardson. (Copyright 1996)
1) Clamp the barrel between two blocks of soft wood in a large bench vise with the barrel pointing toward the left. Grip the barrel close to the receiver with the grip mount up and torward the rear vise jaw. Apply a large open end wrench to the receiver nose and try unscrewing the receiver nose counter clockwise off the barrel. If the receiver turns, the grip mount will rotate with it and strike the front jaw of the vise almost immediately. It is very important not to twist the grip mount by forcing it against either vise jaw. At this point, if the receiver has turned off the barrel even slightly, go on to 2. If the barrel turned in the vise, release the barrel, rotate the grip mount back to the rear vise jaw, and try again with the vise tighter. If the receiver will not break loose from the barrel, go to 3.
2) Remove the barrel from the vise and discard the wood blocks. Clamp the receiver nose section in the vise with the grip mount at the back side and the barrel pointing toward the right. If the grip mount is the later type which has the retaining post rivited to the bar, grip the nose section in the vise up to the rivited overbump so as not to crush it. If it is the one piece type, clamp the nose section in the vise up to the barrel. Pry the front end of the grip mount away from the barrel slightly. Insert a piece of cardboard (e.g. business card) between the barrel and the front projection of the grip mount to prevent the grip mount from gouging the barrel as the barrel is turned. If the barrel is finned, the grip mount projection will drop into a fin groove as the barrel is unscrewed. A horizontal forearm mounting bolt screwed into the grip mount hole can be lifted by a claw hammer or a crow bar to hold the grip mount away from the barrel as though the bolt were a nail being pried out of a board. Be careful not to pry the grip mount further away from the barrel than is absolutely necessary because it can be permanently bent. Grip the barrel next to the receiver with a strap wrench and unscrew the barrel.
3) Soak the barrel/receiver assembly in gasoline overnight. Dry completely with an air hose if available. Go back to 1. and try again if the barrel won't unscrew. Heat the receiver nose red hot with an acetylene torch without directing hitting the barrel or the grip mount with the flame. Do not allow the barrel or the grip mount to turn red. Let the assembly cool and then go back to 1. Repeat if necessary.
The above again was taken from a Thompson Technical Article written by Doug Richardson. He has a Catalog available for $5.00, featuring tools, Display Receivers, and his own books featuring A LOT of useful information!
Again, I hope this proves useful!
You can obtain a copy of Dougs latest Catalog by sending $5.00 to:
D.W. Richardson
2100 McReynolds Rd.,
Malibu, Ca 90265