CVA Optima Elite ?

[johnsonzl]

Who knows how to swap barrels on one of these? Manual doesn't realy say and before I go hammering on this pin I thought I would ask the brain trust.

[txfireguy2003]

Mine just slides out with a brass rod, no hammering needed. Just remove the forearm by undoing the one screw, then slide the hinge pin out. On mine, the action has to be open or there is too much tension on the pin, and it's easiest if the rifle is laying on the table, but can be done in your lap.
Did you get the real Optima Elite, or the "Stalker" model that Academy sells? I got the stalker and the manual says that barrels are NOT interchangable, but it comes apart easy enough, and looks just like the regular Optima Elite barrels on Bergara's website.

[johnsonzl]

I got the stalker and its a tack driver. I didn't realy need/want it but i had a gift card and was impulsive. From everything I have looked at it seems the barrels should interchange, I am going to take it by my gunsmith next time I'm home and see what he says, but the guns are identical in every way visibly except the name on the receiver.
How do you like yours?

[txfireguy2003]

I haven't had the chance to shoot it just yet. Weather, and work have been fighting me ever since I got the scope on it. Overall, I like the way it looks and feels, but we'll see how it shoots...CVA guarantees 1" at 100yds and I'll hold them to it. The only complaint I have is that the trigger is a little stiff. We'll see if it gets any better with some wear.
As far as interchangable barrels, I agree that I can't see why it wouldn't swap out. The only thing I can think of is that it has some minute tollerances changed so that it won't work. If that's the case, it may be possible to have a machinist remove some metal from a new barrel to make it fit, or maybe not, may be that the barrel is the small part and the reciever would have to be modified, which would make the original barrel not fit right. I don't know, I've considered trying it, but I don't want to blow $200 on a new barrel and not be able to make it work for me. One thing I DID notice about my barrel, on the lug under the barrel, up front where the hinge pin slides through, it appears to be ever so slightly tapered. If that is not present on the other models and is the only difference, I have a set of files! Just kidding, but seriously, if that's all the difference there is (and it would make it impossible to fit a replacement barrel without the taper) I would think it would be VERY simple to slowly remove just enough metal from a new barrel to make it work. Next time I'm down around Austin/Buda, I'm going to swing into Cabelas and look at their Optima Elites to see how it looks, might even take my rifle in and see if they will let me try a new barrel out to test fit it. Then I'll know for sure.