Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: kerrdog on January 26, 2013, 03:02:48 PM

Title: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: kerrdog on January 26, 2013, 03:02:48 PM: The box that my T/C Northwest Explorer came in is wonderful. :IBCOOL: 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
Title: Re: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: CAM38 on January 27, 2013, 09:46:59 AM: What problems have you had with yours? What load do you shoot?
Title: Re: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: kerrdog on January 27, 2013, 04:35:26 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: CAM38 on January 27, 2013, 04:54:01 PM: 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?
Title: Re: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: kerrdog on January 27, 2013, 06:41:32 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: CAM38 on January 28, 2013, 06:02:32 AM: 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?
Title: Re: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: kerrdog on January 28, 2013, 11:52:39 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Thompson Center NW Explorer Box Review
Post by: Sabotloader on January 28, 2013, 01:04:42 PM: Quote from: kerrdog on January 28, 2013, 11:52:39 AM
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!