Pan primer perpetually clogging

[Grizzly Adams]

Last shoot I was at, my pan primer stopped up, and usually, I can restore its function by tapping it against my palm or shaking it. This was not so this time. Couldn't get powder to flow for the life of me. It is the plunger style unit. Any ideas on how to prevent these little primers from stopping up? Thanks in advance.

 

[Calum]

I had the same problem. Now, when I refill the primer tube, I disassemble the nozzle part (spring's not high tension, but don't lose it) and clean everything with a dry pipe cleaner. On a buddy's advice, I also keep a grain or two of rice in the charger to absorb any moisture. Haven't had an issue since I started doing this.

Calum

 

[Don Steele]

Shooting a flintlock down here in Florida...we figure wet pans and clogged primer "nozzles" are just part of the fun.
To keep things going on a hot, humid day I periodically use my pick to keep the primer tube clear.
I also routinely unscrew the "head" of my little brass priming tool, strip it down into it's component parts and thoroughly clean it.

 

[jamieorr]

I just had mine apart and found hard crud was stopping the plunger from moving. I guess it built up over several sessions - very hard to get clean, had to scrape it.

Necchi posted the T/C muzzleloading manual http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/Shooting_TC_Guns.pdf in another thread, page 36 gives instructions on pressing the plunger with a finger instead of pushing it into the pan, which I was doing. I'm going to start doing the finger thing in hopes of avoiding further clogging. (Thanks, Necchi!)

Jamie

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will have to try to take mine apart and clean it out.

 

[hanshi]

Not a bad idea. A pipe cleaner after each use makes a big difference. Any time that little spout touches the pan surface it accumulates a bit of fouling. The fouling attracts moisture and can cause the spout to clog. Keep it wiped off in the field. Or, get a tiny priming horn so you can just tap out the prime without any contact with the pan fouling.

I've posted this pic before but it explains what I mean by "tiny horn".

 

[wattlebuster]

Problem solved. Ken Netting brass pan primer. Never has failed me yet. I like them so well I have one in each bag. Please excuse the blurry photo. The pan primer is quality but my camera is junk :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Last shoot I was at, my pan primer stopped up, and usually, I can restore its function by tapping it against my palm or shaking it. This was not so this time. Couldn't get powder to flow for the life of me. It is the plunger style unit. Any ideas on how to prevent these little primers from stopping up? Thanks in advance.

Happens to everyone. When you use the plunger you are touching burnt powder residue from previous shots. And that gunk is very attractive to moisture which gets into your primer spout. I just juse my vent/nipple pick to clean out. Only takes 1.25 seconds to accomplish.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I picked this one till I was blue in the face, to no avail. Some of that crud must have gotten way inside the valve mechanism.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Very clever! I like that a lot.

 

[Billnpatti]

The secret is to keep the plunger clean. After using it, and before putting it away, simply disassemble the plunger and wipe it clean. A pipe cleaner helps to clean out the spout. It is easily disassembled and re-assembled, just don't loose the little spring. :thumbsup:

 

[Billnpatti]

Happens to everyone. When you use the plunger you are touching burnt powder residue from previous shots. And that gunk is very attractive to moisture which gets into your primer spout. I just juse my vent/nipple pick to clean out. Only takes 1.25 seconds to accomplish.

:metoo: Yep, ever so true. But, I am a bit slower than you, it takes me 1.37 seconds to accomplish this task. :haha:

 

[BrownBear]

This may be off the wall, but I'll toss it into the just-in-case hopper.

Bud of mine had the same trouble, but only when it was really cold and dry. Lots of puzzling. Turned out he always carried it in the nylon pocket of his cold weather jacket, and static electricity built up. His solution was novel and cheap. He wipes down the inside with a dryer sheet before filling on days when static charges build up. Cheaper than buying a new hunting coat, anyway.

 

[Rifleman1776]

This may be off the wall, but I'll toss it into the just-in-case hopper.

Bud of mine had the same trouble, but only when it was really cold and dry. Lots of puzzling. Turned out he always carried it in the nylon pocket of his cold weather jacket, and static electricity built up. His solution was novel and cheap. He wipes down the inside with a dryer sheet before filling on days when static charges build up. Cheaper than buying a new hunting coat, anyway.

Not off the wall. That is how the real mountain men did it. :rotf:

 

[BrownBear]

But did they use scented or unscented? :wink:

 

[MSW]

the unscented ones, of course!!

the plunger spring can be replaced at the local Ace Hardware store (they have a bunch of those cute little springs, which you should check out so that you can dispose of more of those little pictures of dead presidents which clutter up your wallet)

I have several spares...

make good smoke!

 

[jamesthomas]

That's why I wipe the pan after every shot, no gunk to clog anything up. After all I'm being charged by a group of Red Coats!.

 

[bpd303]

Me too, guess that's why I haven't had the problem.

 

[nhmoose]

But did they use scented or unscented? :wink:

Scented if the black flies were out :blah: