Breech Plug removal

[rf50cal]

In another thread I read earlier this evening a fellow inquired about removing the breech plug on a used rifle he had recently purchased.

Several members warned that removing the plug would lead to more problems. I'm curious as to why this would lead to more problems? Just trying to learn something here.

 

[Zonie]

One problem is that if the gun has any warranty at all, removing the breech plug will void it.

The next reason is the breech plug on a Traditional rifle isn't designed to be removed and they are usually installed with a tremendous amount of torque.
Adding to the torque problem is that many guns which are used have had some water leak into the breech plug threads which can create some rust. Any rust will add to the difficulties of applying enough torque to loosen the breech plug.

Some of the CVA rifles need to have the nipple drum removed before the breech plug can be loosened. This is because the drum actually goes thru the side of the breech plug, effectively pinning it in place.

Because of the great torque required to remove a breech plug there is more than a good chance that the barrel and the breech plug will be severely marred by the vise/wrench.
I'm not talking about a little ding here. Some major damage to the appearance is very likely unless some specific steps are taken to prevent it.
One of our members actually twisted the hook on the breech plug off before he started to realize that removing it is a bad idea.

Reinstalling a breech plug takes a little knowledge too so if a person has removed theirs and they don't install it correctly there is a good chance that their barrel will not sit down into the barrel channel like it should.

IMO, unless every trick in the book has been tried to remove a barrel obstruction and none have worked, there is no good reason for removing a Traditional rifles breech plug.

Notice that I've avoided writing about the new fangled attempts to create a muzzleloader.
These things are designed to have the breech plug removed and even though this "feature" is part of their design I've read about many people who have a hell of a time removing theirs.

When all is said and done, there are very few reasons to remove a breech plug and many reasons not to.

 

[brubincam]

-----WHY DO SO MANY WANT TO REMOVE THE BREECH PLUG ??????????-----I know a muzzleloader builder and any time some one brings a gun in he pulls the barrel and the breech plug---says he just wants to look-----

 

[grey8833]

As usual, everyone is right. :blah: Zonie is correct, there are a load of reasons NOT to pull the breech plug, many more than there are to pull the plug. So, unless all else fails, don't pull it.

EXCEPT (here we go :shocked2: ) when you are building a rifle. When I get get a kit I usually get a plug done by a professional. I ask to have it sent with an indicator mark (barrel to plug - I build patent breech guns mostly) and have it backed out a 1/4 turn. I want the plug out so I can:

1. Check to make sure the little bugger was seated correctly
2. Polish the face, and/or, since I mostly do patent breech plugs, champher the plug powder well edges
3. Make a scraper to fit the powder well (again a patent breech issue)
4. I would say it would be most helpful to seat the barrel with the plug out, but on a hooked breech its not that critical.

But given what can go wrong, I sweat like hell when I put it back. Brass jaws on everything (vise and wrench) a three foot extension pipe and a good light to watch that indicator mark line up. Once back in, I do not remove it again - so far - ever - as in never.

The stories of damage when pulling a plug are many and varied. So avoid it if you possibly can.

Mike

 

[Zonie]

I agree Mike.
As a sometimes builder, there are times I will remove the breech plug on a new barrel to facilitate inletting the barrel etc.
Even then, I try to minimize the number of times I remove the breech plug though.

My response up above was aimed at the majority of the folks here who own factory (or custom) made guns that are finished.
Once a gun is finished there is little reason for removing a breech plug and a whole bunch of reasons not to.

 

[musketman]

-----WHY DO SO MANY WANT TO REMOVE THE BREECH PLUG ??????????----

I can understand "WHY" if they just crossed over from inline muzzleloaders, one of their features is removable breech plugs and they may think that holds true for all muzzleloaders.

 

[J.D.]

It's a guy thing. Guys gotta take things apart. The problem is getting them back together so they work.

Breech plugs in factory guns are screwed in, and seated, with LOTS of pressure. It takes ALLOT more than a vise and a crescent wrench to remove a factory installed breech plug without severe damage. Few people have the correct tools, and even fewer people have the understanding of how to use those tools to remove a factory installed plug without damaging, both, barrel and plug.