shooting a ima pattern 1842 HEIC musket (.75)

[broke_collector]

I am a new guy on the block and I wondered if someone had purchased a '42. Mine appears to be in great shape and using a drop down bore light seems to have a decent barrel. I have not removed the barrel from the stock as it is pinned and I am afraid the old dry wood might chip out whilst removing the pins (wedges). The big question is to shoot or not to shoot! I would love to do it but a ruined musket would be bad. Not to mention my health. The "firestone Mann rest" would be the sensable thing. ANY COMMENTS..Jimbo

 

[jchochole]

Hi, I would focus on getting that barrel off before you move to fire that weapon. I have had 3 P-42's and they vary underneath that wood. The moisture from the country was sucked into the wood for near 200 years and was never allowed to dry up along the bottom of the barrel. Don't trust the inside of the barrel. I would recommend using a CRC spray and work the pins loose with a soft brass drift wedge and tap-spray-tap-spray until the pics drop out and the barrel can be lifted out. It can be done but it is a slow process.

Email me if you have questions,
Jim Chochole
[email protected]

 

[broke_collector]

Thanks for the[url] reply....explain[/url] CRC spray if you would. Did you have any chip problems? I agree with you about the underside of the barrel which could hide a multitude of sins.
My guns bore (after removing crud, spider webs, etc.) is really in great shape considering the age and storage conditions. I guess that I am looking for some re-enforcement of my desire to fire the gun and most owners of P 42's seem to have the same feelings. I am in the process of buying a Brown Bess (reproduction) and will be able to get the desire to shoot a .75 out of my system. JIM

 

[jchochole]

Hey bud,
CRC spray is the old name for WD-40 or any such anti-corrosive penetrating oil. I think CRC was the name, and still might be for an oil. On my Bess' I ended up making a brass drift just the size of the wedge for the barrel and, with light taps and oil, kept tapping out the wedges. I ended up chipping it a tiny bit- but the value in safety far outweighs the damage incurred. Plus, save the chips and glue them back in delicately. No problemo.

Hope this helps,
Jim Chochole