I have a Pedersoli Kentucky .50. It is 3yr old and has <50 shots put through it. I need suggestions on how to remove the plug. How tight are they installed at the factory?
Breech plug removal question.
- Thread starter Flintlock Whiskey
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Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
Don’t remove the breech plug, there is no reason unless you are replacing the barrel.
Think of it like taking the glass out of a window, if it ain’t broke don’t.
Think of it like taking the glass out of a window, if it ain’t broke don’t.
hanshi
Cannon
I tried it once on a pedersoli but it wouldn't budge. But on another rifle that had to be de-breeched I put a reference mark on it. Then using a lead sheet wrap and my vice to protect the barrel, I did get it off with less force than I had anticipated. Only time I ever did this but there was no other choice.
Jor Henderson
32 Cal
in my experience they are very tight, safest way to get it out without marking the finish is to do this; get hold of the breech tang in a vice (soft jaws) with the barrel vertical, put a piece of timber halfway up the barrel horizontally, put a piece of rope ( natural sizal is best) around the left hand side of the timber as you look at it, wind the rope clockwise around the barrel above the timber and anti clockwise below, now when you put any force on the timber to unscrew the barrel off the breech plug the rope self tightens and grips the barrel without marking, make sure to use a strong piece of timber and rope, I have not had it fail yet.
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Just out of curiosity: Why do you feel the need to remove the BP when it isn't even broken in yet.
Larry
Curious as to why you would need to remove a breech plug from a 3 year old gun with less than 50 shots through it, but that’s not your question.
Probably the most fool proof method for a novice would be to get a proper set of vice jaws (assumes one already has a strong vice mounted to a sturdy work bench) and a breechplug wrench from a place like Rice. Pricy option to remove one breechplug, but an option that works with the possibility of marring the finish on the either the breechplug/tang or barrel minimized.
https://ricebarrels.com/product/barrel-vise-jaws/
https://ricebarrels.com/product/breech-plug-wrench/
I guess I was thinking about doing a complete annual tear down and cleaning. I have been shooting these for literally 47 years and had never done it before. So I know some would say why bother now? I suppose I agree.
And, @Flintlock Whiskey, I also agree that removing the breech plug in a traditional muzzleloader isn't necessary for an annual clean up. For something necessary such as being shot for a few thousand times and the powder chamber area is so corroded that target accuracy suffers and the breech area is to be cut out to restore rifling from breech to muzzle.
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It is your gun, do as you please. Removing a BP when just doing a clean is similar to removing your truck engine so it can be cleaned. It will be cleaned, but is it necessary?
Larry
Good analogy, I will leave well enough alone. Thanks to everyone for the input.
A good decision because every time a breech plug is removed it gets harder to get it indexed again due to thread wear. Not sure what type of breech plugs are used by Pedersoli, but think it is a patent or chambered breech.
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If you can satisfactorily clean the breech face and the touch hole and fire channel there's no need to remove the plug to accomplish that goal.
FlinterNick
69 Cal.
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Breech plug removal is easy once you gather hte right tools. In a nutshell, you need to secure the barrel as tight as possible, with anti twist shims, usually aluminium or brass works.
If you’re trying to learn how to remove the plug, I think this is fine, just remember to realign the witness marks after you clean and lubricators it.
However, you really do not need to remove the plug for regular cleaning, it’s just not necessary.
But learning how to, it’s a good lesson if you’re getting into gun building or for general repairs.
FlinterNick
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This is rubbish, it would take a hundreds to thousands of turns to wear down breech plugs threads, gun builders regularly remove breech plugs to build guns.
FlinterNick
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If your’e a gun builder it’s an important thing to know how to do.
I should have said thread stretch due to over torquing instead of wear. I have seen it on a lot of guns that have been brought to me because of that.
If ‘over torquing’ is occurring the breech plug is NOT properly fitted/installed.
FlinterNick
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Agree, if not appropriately faced the plug could expand the breech.
This is sorta of a common thing to find on originals, however they were making barrels out of iron, not steel.
Anyhow, it just amazes me the folks here who are **** their pants at the though of removing a breech plug because of safety… yet they will do something stupid like pump thousands of pressure of psi into a barrel to remove a stuck ball or jag or then try to press in 4f powder to shoot out a dry ball.. there are so many things that could go wrong. I’ve even had barrels sent to me with melted shot and balls int he breech because the owners tried to use a propane torch to heat the barrel and melt out the dry rounds.
Learning how to remove a breech plug is an essential feature for a kit builder, maybe not Kibler kit because they work is done but its essential if you’re a serious builder.
Furthermore, serious shooters should know every about their gun, including the knowledge and tools on how to unbreech it, this doesn’t mean you need to consistently unbreech your gun just know how to that’s all.
For the folks who dare say unbreeching is dangerous, they’re armatures and nothing more.
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Why bother sums it up. No need. Clean normally and properly then enjoy.
FlinterNick
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The OP stated that he wants to learn how to remove the breech plug, nothing wrong with a little knowledge.
