Bess ignition problem solved.

[Rebel]

I solved the ignition problem. The fix was So simple i don't know why i, the gunsmith i took it to, or one of the members here didn't think of it before. The vent hole was Too low, what to do? I layed awake the other night thinking about some way to fix it without drilling and tapping for a vent liner. Then it hit me. Why not just raise the back of the barrel up a little. So i pulled the lock, loosened the tang bolt. and shimmed the back of the breech up the thickness of a popsickle stick. Snugged the tang bolt back down, put the lock back in and checked it. Voila, the bottom of the vent hole is now just at the top edge of the pan like it should be, and the tang is just a hair, (about 1/32") above the stock wood. I took it out yesterday to try it out and it works fine now. So i am a happy shooter again. :grin:

 

[BillinOregon]

Rebel: You're a genius. Perfect solution.

 

[Rebel]

If i were a genius i would have thought of it sooner. :grin: Nope, i'm just extordinarily stubborn when it comes to fixing something. :rotf:

 

[BRUN]

I think lack of sleep brings out ideas.I have laid awake thinking of different things and I write them down before I fall asleep.

 

[Rebel]

Yea, i have done that a lot, except for the writing them down part. Then i can't remember them when i wake up. That really irritates me. :grin:

 

[d.thomson]

Tenacity is a virtue :hatsoff:

 

[Rebel]

The wife doesn't call it a virtue. She just says i'm bullheaded.

 

[bub524]

Does the tang stand proud of the wood now????

 

[Rebel]

Like i saisd above, it is about 1/32" or less aboove the stock wood. Hardly enough to bother anything.

 

[Leatherbark]

Good show............But now ya think it might shoot low?

 

[Rebel]

No, actually it seems to be right on for elevation now. And if it does shoot low at longer range i can either compensate or file some off the front sight/bayonet lug.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Rebel : Get some of the putty form of epoxy stock bedding compound and fill in the barrel channel of the stock, and then the tang of the stock so you can remove those shims, and you will be all set. Great " Fix "!

 

[trent/OH]

If you can't take the Bess to Mohammad, then take Mohammad to the Bess!!! :rotf:

 

[Rebel]

I don't need no Mohamad i need Rico or Vinnie, this is not an India made Bess it is Italian made one. :grin:

 

[mbw907]

Do love them "spaghetti shooters"! :haha:

 

[Wes/Tex]

Hey Rebel, popsicle sticks & duct-tape...great idea! Then you can have the whole critter hot-dip galvanized!! Weeha!!! :rotf:

 

[Rebel]

Aww come on now Wes, it ain't all that bad. And 'sides i thought i would paint it hot pink instead of the hot dip to scare off them Big Foots. :rotf:

 

[snagg]

Rebel:
My son got a Bess a bit ago and the first thing I thought was that the vent hole seemed very low in the pan. This is a very good idea on a fix. We have yet to shoot and will wait til then to see if it becomes an issue for us. Thanks for the heads up.

snagg

 

now you can shoot up all that lead I gave you.

 

[dlocke]

I like that epoxy putty. Never used the bedding stuff, but I have a couple sticks of POR-15 epoxy putty. It is made for repairing auto gas tanks, steering wheels, and such. When dry, it is machineable, sandable, drillable, and it will even cure underwater. I used a little on an Investarms Hawken I built. I agree that it would make a great permanent fix for an issue like the Bess had. What I did was knead the stuff together well, and then roll it out with a dowel between a couple pieces of waxpaper like a pie crust. Then you can cut a piece with an exacto and stick it where you need it. For the Bess, I'd drill some 1/8" deep holes with a 1/16" bit in the tang area and under the breech, put my epoxy wafers in place, cover them with saran wrap, then clamp the barrel and tang down to squeeze the stuff in good, then remove the barel and plastic wrap and trim any excess that oozed out sideways. After it is dry, you can use inletting black to make sure it fits fine and, if not, you can use a small sanding stick to even things up. Drill thru for the tang screw and you're good to go.
DJL