Another CVA Mountain Rifle ... almost for free!

[Flint62Smoothie]

Another $25 pickup from a modern 'toy shop' who knows nothing about traditional muzzleloaders, especially one where it was still loaded!

The 50-cal Pyrodex load and projectile had to be drilled out using that 3/8" wood boring bit ... after removing the breech plug ... it was a solid mass and would not budge.

The barrel cleaned up pretty well except for one small spot about an inch or so long, only about 3/8" wide.

... none of the powdah/pellets removed shown ...

 

[Gtrubicon]

Wow $25 ! That’s great, how’s the condition of the rest of the rifle? Was the breach plug difficult to remov?

 

[smokeum54]

Nice , we are gonna need more pics tho

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

That’s great, how’s the condition of the rest of the rifle?

Excellent, not a mark on the stock! There’s some pitting immediately ahead of the patent breech, but I’ll pour a lap and polish it smooth.

Was the breach plug difficult to remove?

Came out easy, held in a solid vise and a 2’ Crescent wrench on the plug.

 

[Sam squanch]

$25!?!?! That’s the buy of the century ! Same gun around here in the same condition would be $400 or more.

 

[Dixieshedhunter]

Thanks for showing us the design anomaly that makes these CVA's so hard to de-breech. How hard to remove the drum? Glad you got it, please keep us posted.

Pete Davis

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Drum removed easily!

 

[kyron4]

Do you think you will be able to get the breech plug clocked to the right position to get the drum reinstalled? I know getting the drum threads in the barrel wall and the plug perfectly lined back up can be difficult.

 

[Mtman725]

Nice work, good find.

 

[LME]

Do you think you will be able to get the breech plug clocked to the right position to get the drum reinstalled? I know getting the drum threads in the barrel wall and the plug perfectly lined back up can be difficult.

It isn't easy. I hope he made a witness mark on the breech and barrel before he removed it. Even with a mark it take some finessing to line it up properly.

 

[Josh Canuck]

Looks like Santa had one last gift for you at that price! Ho! Ho! Ho!

 

[LonestarShootR]

It isn't easy. I hope he made a witness mark on the breech and barrel before he removed it. Even with a mark it take some finessing to line it up properly.

With a witness mark it just takes a little effort to get the holes lined up. It's a mass produced item and doubt the thread tolerances are 3A/3B. I could be wrong though.
Another alternative is simply replace or make a new breech plug then drill and tap after installing.

 

[TC Tommy]

You could screw in a flash hole liner and convert to flint.
It worked great on a DGW 32cal Squirrel Rifle.

 

[LME]

With a witness mark it just takes a little effort to get the holes lined up. It's a mass produced item and doubt the thread tolerances are 3A/3B. I could be wrong though.
Another alternative is simply replace or make a new breech plug then drill and tap after installing.

If he were able to acquire a new breech plug he would have to be extremely careful as there is a good chance he will damage the threads when he drills the hole. I also wonder if the new breech plug has a hole already? As I said it isn't easy which ever way he goes.

 

[LonestarShootR]

If he were able to acquire a new breech plug he would have to be extremely careful as there is a good chance he will damage the threads when he drills the hole. I also wonder if the new breech plug has a hole already? As I said it isn't easy which ever way he goes.

I certainly cannot speak for the op but believe the hole is drilled after the breech plug is installed and torqued.

Using the correct tap drill, it's simple to get everything aligned through the existing hole in the barrel and drilled in a mill.mqking a new breech plug isn't a big deal either it just depends on how much time and effort you want to put in it.