Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review

[kerrdog]

The box that my T/C Northwest Explorer came in is wonderful.    Considering how many miles that rifle has traveled in it; it's been across the country at least 5 times!  And when it came back from the service department last time, it was still in wonderful shape.

No matter how many more times I must ship the rifle to T/C, I feel good knowing that the box it's traveling in was designed to be reliable, dependable, durable, and downright stylish.  It's my favorite rifle box.  5 Stars     

[CAM38]

What problems have you had with yours?  What load do you shoot?

[kerrdog]

It wasn't setting off the caps reliably. No matter what.  Tried everything I could think of.  This last time I sent it back to T/C I asked them to check the hammer springs. The repair slip said, "replace hammer springs as needed." I'm not sure that means they've been replaced, but I did test it out and got 21 caps to fire in a row! Which would never have happened before. So maybe they fixed it!  Also, the hammer on these things is like cast pot metal. I've had two break on me; once when I was dry firing it, and another time when I dropped it real hard....and it didn't get dropped on the hammer either.

I like to shoot 350 grain Maxi-Hunters with 100 grains of Triple 7.

[CAM38]

Very interesting, I have the same problem, thought it was the cap fouling the gap around the firing pin.  How is the customer service and turn around time?

[kerrdog]

Yep.  I started out keeping my firing pin lubed up because I noticed that the pyrodex was fouling it out after a few shots.  It's also the reason that I switched to Triple 7; it fouls alot less.  Triple seven also smells alot better upon ignition.  I thought I had it figured out at that point.  But not.  Then I switched from CCI's to the dynamit noble wrs (the green ones). Those actually go off with a lot more noise than the CCI's, but they're about the same as the CCI #11 magnums, or whatever they're called.

Nope.  It still did it to me.  So I started backing the breach plug out a little to get the cap closer to the hammer.  I really thought I had it down now!  Nope.  That P.O.S did it to me again!

Anyway, T/C has great Support.  Just find the address for T/C Support and mail your rifle in (in the box you bought it with if you have it.  Great box. 8 but they ask that you have it wrapped in brown paper or whatever so everyone can't see that it's a rifle)  Put a note in the box of what's wrong and ship it off.  I think it's like $20 with insurance. Then let me know if it works any better!

They will fix it and send it back to your door, no questions asked. I never filed a warranty card or anything.

Both times it took about 5 weeks to get it back.

[CAM38]

Thank you, I guess now is a good time to do it.  I shoot 777 and the dynamit caps as well.  What did you tell them was wrong with it when you sent it in?

[kerrdog]

I told them that the gun was very unreliable in setting off the caps.  I suggested that they look at the springs, since it seemed the hammer was not hitting the cap hard enough. It seems to have worked, but only time will tell. 

P.S. I bought a Knight Disc Extreme; I'm amazed at the quality difference for an extra $100.  I still plan to use the NW Explorer as a backup gun.  It's also a good road hunting gun, because it's really easy to get the caps on and off.  The disk extreme requires a capping tool to cap it, and it's a pain to get them off fast.....if you know what I mean


Good Luck.

[Sabotloader]

I told them that the gun was very unreliable in setting off the caps.  I suggested that they look at the springs, since it seemed the hammer was not hitting the cap hard enough. It seems to have worked, but only time will tell. 

P.S. I bought a Knight Disc Extreme; I'm amazed at the quality difference for an extra $100.  I still plan to use the NW Explorer as a backup gun.  It's also a good road hunting gun, because it's really easy to get the caps on and off.  The disk extreme requires a capping tool to cap it, and it's a pain to get them off fast.....if you know what I mean


Good Luck.

But that is what makes them near water proof - so you guys on the westside ken huntin da rain!