Lyman Great Plains clean out plug

[scrofcheck]

Well I was going to take my Great Plains rifle out tomorrow but I can't get the darn clean out plug started. Does anyone know what size threads they are ? I need to tap out some new threads to get the plug in. Also Is it 100% necessary to have that screw in in order to shoot or can I still shoot the rifle without it ?? Thanks in advance.

 

[ncmtmike]

DO NOT fire that one up without that plug :nono: Call Lyman@ 860-632-2020 and buy you extra's $1 each. That clean-out screw hole is many times larger than a vent hole on a flintlock. Not a good idea,I strongly suggest non-fire until plug back in place :surrender:

 

[azmntman]

Yep....you will lose 50% of yer power and burn anything in the way! Never had that issue and I'm a plug cleaner too!

 

[Jim C]

It'll blow hot powder gases several feet and severely burn anything or anyone that might happen to be in it's way, and like azmntman said, you will lose half yer power.

 

[will5a1]

Steve - welcome to the forum, I think it is a 5X.8mm, I am on the road now but can check when I get home this evening.

 

[BrownBear]

Also Is it 100% necessary to have that screw in in order to shoot or can I still shoot the rifle without it ??

Watched a bud shoot his flinter when he forgot to re-install the vent liner after a cleaning. Pretty much the same situation you're pondering.

You need to ponder this:

When he touched it off, his rifle shot a big flame about 10' to the side. Only had his arm a little in the way, so it only burned off half the sleeve of his shirt. Only has black tattoos on half his arm now, so he got off light.

The ball?

Near as we can figure it landed in the grass somewhere between him and the 25 yard target. Never found it, but it never reached the big target backstop. At least it managed to clear the bore.

 

[bpd303]

I once had a clean out screw blow out when someone had put the wrong size in it. Glad no one was standing anywhere close because it put a hole clean through the metal shed... stay safe & have fun.
BTW welcome to the forum.

 

[pa woods roamer]

Yes, seen the same thing happen. It zinged right past a line of Shooters with enough force that if it had hit someone, it would have left damage !!

 

[Jim C]

:thumbsup: Most definitely something serious to ponder, no doubt

 

[steve1]

Thank you everyone who replied to my dilemma. I ended up taking the rifle to a gunsmith and I'll have it next week. Boy I'm sure glad I didn't shoot it.
BTW somewhere over time I doubled register and forgot my password. Sorry for any confusion. Steve

 

[Otter]

Steve - yeah, don't shoot it until you get a new plug screw for it.

Not to be a smarta**, but why did you take that screw out in the first place? Removing it really doesn't make it easier or give better access for cleaning . . . I have two GPRs and several others w/ cleanout screws and have never removed any of them . . . Just wondering.

Carry on :hmm:

 

[ncmtmike]

As long as no-one was hurt(you),,no sweat Steve
:wink:

 

[steve1]

Otter Not sure why now. Originally just to clean. Now I know better. I am not taking it out ever again. Have a good day !!!!

 

[mooman76]

It doesn't hurt to remove for cleaning just put it back when done. Some don't like to remove which is fine also and some do. I prefer to remove occasionally if for nothing else, if you do need or try to remove some day and you haven't done it in a long time, there is a good chance it will be stuck. Just like the nipple I don't remove every shooting section, I like to remove it and clean and oil that area. Also a small item, it doesn't hurt to have an extra.

 

[hawkeye2]

Reinstall it with never seize or choke tube lube on it and don't remove it again unless you absolutely have to and I can't think of any good reason to. Inspect the male and female threads before you put it together to insure they are in near perfect condition and if not drill and tap to a larger size to repair the condition. If it blows out it can cause serious injury to a bystander. It's OK to remove the nipple regularly for cleaning but use a lube on the threads there too. Do pick up a spare screw and stash it somewhere in case you ever feel the need to take yours out. Though they are called cleanout screws by many they aren't intended for that use. They exist to close the hole that is drilled as a passage from the nipple to the bore.

 

[Cowboy]

I remove mine to really clean the fire channel out good with a very small nylon bristle brush that is made for cleaning out smoking pipes followed by pipe cleaners. The nylon bristle brush has a long sterdy but flexible handle so you can get into those hard to reach places. Place it right into your cleanout screw hole and go to town. After I'm done I replace the cleanout screw using Birchwood Casey's Choke Tube Lube on the cleanout screw threads, I also use the stuff on my nipples threads. You can order the small nylon bristle brushes at( PipesandCigars.com ) You can use one brush over and over again, just wipe it off when your done. Comes in a pack of 5 for about 4 bucks. Good quality pipe cleaners are also cheap as hell and very absorbent. Takes all the build up and manure away out of your firing channel.

 

[hawkeye2]

Thanks for the tip on the little brushes, I may have to pick some up. Could they be used to clean the big end of a nipple? Good point about the pipe cleaners too. The ones from your run of the mill stores will cause all kinds of grief and no I won't tell you how I know even if you ask. :grin: Go to your local tobacconist and buy good ones and they only cost pennies more than the ones that are hardly suitable for making stick figures out of.

 

[Cowboy]

The brushes I'm referring to are called Shank Brush. They come in a pack of 5 for $4.99. They have a long small wire braided handle that is flexible.The brush itself is made of nylon. It is just the right size to slide through the cleanout screw and go all the way through the fire channel.When your done just wipe the brush off. You can reuse the brush time and time again.You get 5 for $4.99. Can't beat the price! Also the pipecleaners are Brigham regular pipe cleaners-75ct.These pipe cleaners are the good ones! the name of the place ( pipesandcigars.com) Respectfully,cowboys1062.

 

[Cowboy]

And to answer your question" can the brush fit the big end of the nipple?" Yes it can. The bristle nylon brush is very sturdy yet small and flexible.

 

[Billnpatti]

I am not sure what the threads are on that screw but if you cannot get it started, most likely, the screw has, at some time, been cross threaded and the threads are buggered up. Take the screw to your local hardware store. In the area of the store where the screws are, there is usually a device for you to determine the screw size and thread pitch. Use that to determine what size threads you have. Next, use a good magnifying glass and good light to see if the threads on the screw are buggered up. If you need to chase (clean out and straighten up) the threads in your rifle, most good hardware stores will have taps of the correct size and they are not all that expensive. Just get a tap and carefully chase the threads in the hole in your rifle. The screw is usually too small to straighten up the threads so if it is buggered up, you will need to replace it. If being absolutely historically correct is important, you will need to order a replacement screw from one of the many muzzleloading suppliers. Otherwise, you can do as I have done and that is to simply buy a set screw of the correct size and use it.