Touch hole insert

[Greenjoytj]

I have a Lyman GPR the rifle has a hooked breach and an easily replaceable flash hole liner. Therefore I routinely remove the liner during a cleaning session.
The idea that any rifle manufacturer can and does cut the flash hole threads and liner threads so precisely that their fit can’t admit any fouling driven into the gap between the threads by chamber pressure on the threads is ridiculous.
That’s why anti seize compound or heavy grease is liberally wiped into these threads during their assembly, to prevent migration of fouling and water around these threads.
But to expect the anti seize or grease to prevent fouling entrance into the threads after multiple detergent laced cleaning sessions is ridiculous.
So in short vent liner should be removed occasionally to inspect and clean the threads and what lies beyond and to renew the anti size or grease, as it won’t last for years without some attention.

 

[smoothshooter]

I recently purchased my first flintlock rifle. This one was very lightly used and is in decent condition.

I am trying to get used to the fine art of cleaning it out, I am used to my cap lock with its hook breach. after my first range test it took a lot of patches to get this flinter to come clean.

Before this rifle ages more I wonder, should I remove and clean out the touch hole liner? This would permit better cleaning of the breach and when I reinstall it I can grease the threads for future removal.

The slot requires a very thin bladed driver, but that can be easily created.

Leave the liner alone.

 

[smoothshooter]

Just from experience; I had a friend now deceased on who out of habit always removed the drum on his cap gun every time he cleaned it, he was in a club/group that shot a lot. It was a Bogle rifle made by the current Joe Bogle, Joe told him removing the drum during cleaning was not a good thing to do but he continued this practice. Within a few years he complained to Joe that his drum had a little wiggle to it. Joe picked up the gun, tapped the hole to a larger thread size and installed a new drum. Ronnie, still stuck in his old ways, didn't learn and continued to remove the drum for cleaning. Again, within a few more years he gave Joe another call, the drum was loose again. I don't know if Joe fixed the gun again, Ronnie's cancer had just about gotten the best of him by this time.

This was a GM barrel, pretty tough stuff, I didn't know how hard Ronnie tightened the drum down but do know when Joe made a rifle, he timed the drum perfectly without using a lot of torque.

Joe made me a rifle that I pulled the breech plug on to remove a blockage one time. I checked the fit and found the best fitted breech plug I had ever seen; it went from finger tight to fully tight in one flat with a perfect breech face seal. I removed the drum from the gun Joe gave me because my Teslong showed it protruded just a touch too much into the breech and I needed to give it a trim, it tightened easily, no excess torque involved.

Not spreading false info as suggested above, I have seen the same wear with a TC breech plug and Ronnie's percussion drum from removal every time the gun was cleaned, removing a touch hole liner for cleaning would have the same end result over time. Of course, how much the gun was shot and cleaned would determine if removing the liner for cleaning would have a negative effect over time, this would not be a problem for a safe queen that is only shot occasionally.

I have an ironclad rule on the boards, if I don't have first-hand experience with a topic I don't say a word. If I offer a suggestion, I state that I don't have hands on knowledge of the topic in question and am only making a suggestion/guess that may or not be correct.

What is a Teslong?

 

[nkbj]

There's some great ideas is this thread!

 

[French Colonial]

What is a Teslong?

It is an inexpensive bore scope that you can buy on Amazon

 

[Eric Krewson]

A Teslong is a camera borescope that will drive you crazy, it is so clear it will see bad stuff in a brand-new barrel.

Here is an example of just how rough a brand-new TC Hawken kit barrel is as seen by my Teslong.

 

[Mad L]

I remove my liners and nipples every time I clean, been doing it since about 2007; I have never had any threads strip and never had one (that I installed) that would not easily remove with a proper size hollow ground gunsmith screw driver.

It gives me the ability to use a cotton swab (paper stem kind not wood) to scrub the breach. No matter my method of cleaning - and I have tried all but steam cleaning or putting in the dishwasher or oven - I have always found crud in there that water, soap, and various cleaners didn't get.
I have also never had a 'First round' misfire (alway dry wipe before first load of the day too).

I will continue to do so and check back in another decade to let you know if it still works.

*Key: Use proper screw driver, use good ant-sieze grease, know How to start the thread (replacing) and do Not overnighten.

**But then there are those who have no business even picking up a screw driver -> I know as Many I used to call my 'co-workers' (you know who you are....)

 

[kyron4]

I remove my liners and nipples every time I clean, been doing it since about 2007; I have never had any threads strip and never had one (that I installed) that would not easily remove with a proper size hollow ground gunsmith screw driver.

It gives me the ability to use a cotton swab (paper stem kind not wood) to scrub the breach. No matter my method of cleaning - and I have tried all but steam cleaning or putting in the dishwasher or oven - I have always found crud in there that water, soap, and various cleaners didn't get.
I have also never had a 'First round' misfire (alway dry wipe before first load of the day too).

I will continue to do so and check back in another decade to let you know if it still works.

*Key: Use proper screw driver, use good ant-sieze grease, know How to start the thread (replacing) and do Not overnighten.

**But then there are those who have no business even picking up a screw driver -> I know as Many I used to call my 'co-workers' (you know who you are....)

Reminds me of the saying, " nothing is foolproof to a talented fool "