GPR cleaning question

[ravenousfishing]

I know the "chambered breech" vs "patent breech" discussion has been covered extensively before, but is there any kind of chamber in the breech of the GPR, and if so, does the act of cleaning the barrel in a bucket of soapy water clean this area out enough, or is a smaller caliber brush necessary? Also, is it necessary to remove the lock on a percussion rifle for cleaning? Don't want it to look like the lock in the flintlock thread.

 

[BrownBear]

In the instructions with my GPR's it says to use a 35 cal brush. I've always done it, and haven't had any rust problems. I don't always remove the lock from mine for cleaning. I used to, but never found any sign of problems inside. I do however carefully clean the outer surfaces with a soapy swab followed by swabs with plain water and careful drying, just like the barrel. I do pop off the lock every three or four sessions to check and lube the inards, but that appears to be more precautionary than mandatory in my experience.

 

[jtmattison]

Brownbear is right on. A .35 caliber bore brush is just what you need for the breech. I always use one. Is it completely necessary? Probably not. A hot soapy water flush should remove any fouling in the breech. I'm just not satisfied with thinking it's clean. I like to go the extra mile to be sure it's clean.

HD

 

[ravenousfishing]

Thanks. Will pick one up next time at the gun shop. Better safe than sorry. What can it take, an extra minute, including changing out the jag for the brush.

 

[BrownBear]

Not in the instruction manual, but as a final step after cleaning I wrap a dry patch around the 35 cal brush and push it down into the chamber. Spin it around a couple of times and remove. Do it again with another patch. Then do it a third time with a patch wetted with alcohol. It sure helps with the drying process.

 

[jtmattison]

I use an air compressor to dry my barrel at home. In the field I use a slotted tip with a patch for the breech.

HD

 

[Little Wattsy]

Would a T/C Hawken and New Englander have these same types of breaches?

 

[jercon]

YES THEY DO.

 

[spitpatch]

If I am going to put the gun away for a while. I take the lock off and detail clean it.

 

[JackAubrey]

Gentlemen,forgive a foolish question.I have a .50 calibre GPR and have never heard anything about using a .35 calibre bore brush in it.Could I press you for an anecdote?Best regards,J.A.

 

[BrownBear]

The "chamber" in the breech is smaller than the bore, roughly 35 caliber. The brush lets you reach down in there and scrub it. Lyman recommends it in their instructions for the GPR, both in complete form and kit.

 

[Semisane]

I picked up a 1/4 x 36" wooden dowel from the hardware store, rounded the end, cut a slot with a hack saw for a piece of patch, and use that to clean the recess in the breech plug of my .54 GP flintlock.

 

[rdoggsilva]

Good Idea with the wooden dowel, will have to give it a try.

 

[RUPPB]

YES. Really good idea using a dowel and cloth. Why does the light in my head always turn on after i see things like that??/ :hmm: :grin:

 

[jtmattison]

I picked up a 1/4 x 36" wooden dowel from the hardware store, rounded the end, cut a slot with a hack saw for a piece of patch, and use that to clean the recess in the breech plug of my .54 GP flintlock.

Simple and effective. I like it!

Thanks for sharing that.

HD

 

[JackAubrey]

I like the dowel idea aswell.Say,I have never heard of the bore being .35 cal..Is this a recent development? I purchased my GPR in 1995 and nowhere in the accompanying literature did it mention a smaller diametre chamber.I always thought they were straight through tubes.What benefit does it provide?

 

[mykeal]

I like the dowel idea aswell.Say,I have never heard of the bore being .35 cal..Is this a recent development? I purchased my GPR in 1995 and nowhere in the accompanying literature did it mention a smaller diametre chamber.I always thought they were straight through tubes.What benefit does it provide?

Jack,

It's not a .35 cal bore. It's a .35 caliber closed chamber in the breech end, kind of like an inverted nipple, designed to hold the powder.

 

[n.h.schmidt]

Hi guys
I ,as luck would have it just removed the breach end off of my nearly new GP Rifle barrel. Its a 50 cal and the standard type slow twist rifling . It does indeed have a sub chamber in it of .353 dia .It is close to a inch deep too. The flash channel is small and comes into the chamber at near the top. You will not easily get much powder into the flash channel here. I can likely get the flash channel dia too if you guys want. The inside edge of the breach does not butt up against the inside edge of the bore. There is a gap.
Capt Jack
I just read of your success in the Ionian Mission. You and your crew should be commended on the sinking of the Torgud.
n.h.schmidt

 

[Mulebrain]

I usually put a small worm on the cleaning rod, and work patches down in the breech with that.

Works well

 

[JackAubrey]

Blast!All these years I have been using the traditional water cleaning method,blissfully ignorant of this .35 calibre chamber.I can only imagine all the nasties in there,rust and all.Herein lies the beauty and necessity of this wonderful forum!Well,you can be certain sure what I'll be about after tea this morning.Is removing the breech plug rather straight forward? Will it require an special tool then?Never having done that I'll wait till I hear back,however,I will be poking a .357 bore moppe downbore.Ah,Mr.Schmidt,you misthink me.Alas,Capt.Jack,is a namesake,a near relation ,yknow.Best regards,J.A.