An unconventional action design was introduced to the US market in 2009 called the CG INCH. Designed by Robert Chombart it featured his preferred primer ignition system of Belleville washers rather than the more common coil spring. Having bolt lugs at the rear facilitated a shorter action overall length, making a more ergonomic prone position possible whereby shooters could work the bolt with a minimum of disturbance to their position.
A small number of these actions were imported into the US, most bearing a 308-size bolt face, a few with bolts fitted to that of the 223REM cartridge. I was fortunate to obtain one of these INCH actions with a 308 bolt face, have shot it every year but one since 2011 either in a Palma-barrel configuration or in 2016 fitted to shoot Robert’s 284INCH wildcat, a 7mm based on the 308WIN case.
(In it’s first competition outing that year, shooting the 284INCH cartridge I succeeded in tying the US NRA Senior Long Range Any Sight record held by Bud Solis and Stacey Tamulinas at Winnequah Gun Club’s annual Gillespie Memorial Long Range Individual Championship, 200-15x.)
Last year however, fitted again with its original Palma barrel, I began having issues with misfires and failure-to-fire that had not previously been a problem.
Before the introduction of the CG INCH to these shores I’d befriended via e-mail Robert Chombart when I endeavored to convert an RPA Quadlite action over to Belleville-actuated ignition system. His help in resolving the FtF I was challenged by resulted in our resolving the hurdle a few weeks ago when he supplied me with a set of Belleville washers of a new design of his specifically intended for this action.
It seems that batch of INCH actions imported in 2009 were equipped with 31 Belleville washers when the original specification called for 33. Mr. Chombart’s new design washers are thinner than the originals so more of them are required but the result is greater impact energy when the sear is released as well as lessened effort for bolt lift.
I’m currently fielding my INCH in 308 configuration with 41 of these new washers actuating its firing pin while he’s indicated 43 meets his new design spec. for firing pin energy. And yes, the reduction in effort for bolt lift is remarkable!
Should any current owners of the CG INCH action here in the USA wish to contact Mr. Chombart about upgrading their firing pin actuation with a set of these new washers, you can PM either of us here (Robert) or e-mail me for his contact information.
A small number of these actions were imported into the US, most bearing a 308-size bolt face, a few with bolts fitted to that of the 223REM cartridge. I was fortunate to obtain one of these INCH actions with a 308 bolt face, have shot it every year but one since 2011 either in a Palma-barrel configuration or in 2016 fitted to shoot Robert’s 284INCH wildcat, a 7mm based on the 308WIN case.
(In it’s first competition outing that year, shooting the 284INCH cartridge I succeeded in tying the US NRA Senior Long Range Any Sight record held by Bud Solis and Stacey Tamulinas at Winnequah Gun Club’s annual Gillespie Memorial Long Range Individual Championship, 200-15x.)
Last year however, fitted again with its original Palma barrel, I began having issues with misfires and failure-to-fire that had not previously been a problem.
Before the introduction of the CG INCH to these shores I’d befriended via e-mail Robert Chombart when I endeavored to convert an RPA Quadlite action over to Belleville-actuated ignition system. His help in resolving the FtF I was challenged by resulted in our resolving the hurdle a few weeks ago when he supplied me with a set of Belleville washers of a new design of his specifically intended for this action.
It seems that batch of INCH actions imported in 2009 were equipped with 31 Belleville washers when the original specification called for 33. Mr. Chombart’s new design washers are thinner than the originals so more of them are required but the result is greater impact energy when the sear is released as well as lessened effort for bolt lift.
I’m currently fielding my INCH in 308 configuration with 41 of these new washers actuating its firing pin while he’s indicated 43 meets his new design spec. for firing pin energy. And yes, the reduction in effort for bolt lift is remarkable!
Should any current owners of the CG INCH action here in the USA wish to contact Mr. Chombart about upgrading their firing pin actuation with a set of these new washers, you can PM either of us here (Robert) or e-mail me for his contact information.
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