TOP M60E3 Shorty Barrel Wobble

[Jerold]

Has anyone fixed the barrel wobble on the TOP M60E3?

I've had mine for years and I never take it out just because of that barrel wobble. The main culprit is the front part of the outer barrel (the barrel is a 2 piece item) and it looks to be held only by the smallest of set screws on the bottom. The part of the barrel that goes into the receiver has a slight bit of play as well. I just can't figure out how to disassemble/remove the outer barrel from the receiver so I can diagnose the issue and try to reinforce it.

I've found a VB-Tech front end set for $286, but I don't really want to spend the cash and I haven't found any info on anyone installing one on a TOP M60 to verify it's stability.

The manual doesn't have an exploded diagram at all, so useless is the word for it.

[Jerold]

Doesn't seem like there is any interest in TOP M60's these days, but just in case anyone else is searching out M60 info...

Take off the grip that holds the battery.
Take the M3 sized set/grub screw out from under the front section of the outer barrel.
Unscrew the M4 screw from under the carry handle ring.
Gently start twisting back and forth the front section of outer barrel. It sticks a bit at first, then once it releases will slide out smoothly.

I'm gonna drill 2 holes on either side of the carry handle ring and then drill and tap a 8-32 x 1/2" socket head screw in the outer barrel section that goes into the receiver. This will give me 3 screws that will be holding the front section of outer barrel to the short outer barrel section. The set screw shouldn't be an issue at this point. Maybe just retap the existing hole to use an 8-32 grub screw so all the screws have the same thread. The factory set screw (M3) is real fine and probably prone to stripping.

Loctite (blue) all screws.