Broken breech plug

[bluheritg]

I've got one for you experienced builders. I'm trying to build a Pecitonica southern mountain rifle. Well, it's been nothing but trouble, but here's the problem now. The tang of the breach plug broke at the screw hole partly because it is cast iron I suspect and the weakness at this area. What is the rule of thumb on this? I bought a steel one but it is very slightly thinner than the original in width. Also, will I have problems finding the top flat and lining up the lugs for the pins? What a bummer! Tks

 

[Vaino]

More than likely, the metal is cast steel and not cast iron. Cast iron doesn't bend and usually the tangs have to be bent to conform to the stock. I'd try to weld it before rebreeching, which can be very time consuming. A welding shop should have no trouble in doing the weld. The cross section through the hole is the weakest point and possibly there was also a void. I first bend the tang and then drill the holes to avoid this problem.....Fred

 

[BLAHMAN]

Fit the steel one into the barrel, (you may have some file work to do) but to make it fit the present mortise, a neat trick is to heat up the tang and hammer it a bit to swedge it out to fit. If you swedge it too much, widen out the channel. Any hammer work that you do can be filed out.

 

[Birddog6]

I suggest you weld the Broken one & put it back in. Or you could go back to Pecatonica and get the exact same exact breechplug you originally had so they are the same width & etc. You will have to fit the plug to the barrel, as even tho it is the same you have to fit it to the breechface & etc. Then bend it to where ya need it Before drilling it, then drill the screw hole.

I had this happen one time, had the barrel out of a finished rifle, I accidently bumped it & it slid off the workbench & hit the floor on the tang & broke it off at the screw hole. I bought a new tang & shortened it & fitted it to that rifle & it was a PITA. Mainly because it had to fit exact as the rifle was finished & a special tang shape. Had it been one I was building I could have made some adjustments on the tang inlet & tang & it would be easier. With the rifle finished you have to make all the adjustments on the tang & not skin up the stock.

Had one brought to me a few years later with same problem, I welded it with a wire welder & put it right back like it was & that was Allot easier. A few lil burst of weld, a little filing & clean out the screw hole with a carbide burr, browned it & it fit back perfectly as before, & you can't tell it was ever broken.
:thumbsup:

 

[bluheritg]

Thanks to all who responded. All good suggestions.