My Tristar semi auto 12 gauge has functioned perfectly for a year or so but locked up. I disassembled and cleaned but now the barrel will not seat all the way into the receiver. I cant get the dang thing back together. Tried taking the trigger group out and various combinations of safety on, hammer down or the reverse. Frustrating as all get out because it should be EASY. Can't find anything about reassembly in the manual or anywhere on the web that tells me I'm doing anything wrong. ANY suggestions?

i had luck with the action open or closed with my semi autos.

Does this manual help you?
http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/pdf/Manual_Semi-Automatic.pdf

Edited because i didnt see that you said the manual DIDNT help in your first post. sorry.

A quick peek at the manual shows (like you said), it should be easy.. Have you tried moving the bolt back a little while you attempt to insert the barrel? many times on S/A shotguns the barrel won't fully seat until the action's moved back somewhat..

Slide must be forwad to seat the barrel in teh receiver. Bolt will go back with teh barrel until about a half inch remains. Then it simply will not go further. No side to side movement possible....
I'm going to have to call them tomorrow and if that fails, I will take it to the gunsmith. Anybody want a shotgun cheap???

I've never owned one.
This was/is a common problem with this pump, common and serious enough that an internal document/pictograph was circulated with a specific preamble to [u]"...not give these instructions to customers!...for internal use only...should be kept out of public view!"
**"WARNING: DO NOT PUMP ACTION WITHOUT THE BARREL ON THE GUN!**[/u]

Essentially, when the action is pumped without the barrel, the bolt comes off a pin and wedges itself into the receiver; with the bolt off the pin and sitting on the action, the barrel will not seat fully into the receiver.
You have to start the bolt with the rear down onto the pin and over the carrier (removed from the receiver), then hold the bolt with your finger to keep it on the pin; putting it all back in, leave the bolt out of the receiver by an inch and line up the barrel with the bolt.
It ain't easy..
Call 'em and demand the document/pictograph--or PM me.

Mine is the semi auto version but this sounds exactly like what is happening. THANK YOU for at least making me feel better! lol

PM en route to you.

Good morning, Mike! Check your pm's.

Turned out that a spring on the trigger assembly was out of place and blocking the barrel from fully seating. Fixed now.

Glad to hear that, Mike!--I've been wondering how it turned out!