New (Used) Rifle already a problem

[WALKERs210]

Went out today just to get out of the house and visit friends at local flea markets. One man I have dealt with quite a bit in the last few years had a Traditions Kentucky 50cal and it came home with me. Overall rating of rifle would be a solid 9.5 out of 10. Bore had some minor surface rust/dust so broke out the cleaning patches just to run Bore Butter before putting it in the cabinet. Picked out the cleaning jag that has an extended shank so the patch would not bind in the bore. So I thought, Very easy push down the bore and then it seems like it dropped off a ridge or a gorilla grab hold of it. The thing will not budge, wrapped the end of rod with leather strip to keep from digging in, grabbed hold with solid gripping pliers, using block of wood to keep from damaging barrel tried to knock some sense into it or out of it. It is solid, at this point I am looking at having the breech plug pulled so I don't break off the jag tip unless someone has a miracle cure.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Removing the breech plug should be no big deal -- should it?

Remove the furniture, carefully put the barrel in a vice padded with softwood boards (I usually use 3/4" thick pine boards with the grain going vertically so they don't split under pressure in line with the barrel). I was going to say heat up the barrel, however be careful as there could be a load and bullet in there for all we know. Make sure if that barrel fires it will fire into nothing (like a pile of firewood).

Warm up the barrel at the plug to expand it and try to remove the plug. Sometimes the nipple might need to come off first.

 

[mykeal]

Removing the breech plug in a Traditions Kentucky is not recommended unless you're a gunsmith familiar with black powder rifles. Friendly, Don't Fire's signature is more appropriate than his advice.

If your rod has a T handle, invert the gun, stand on the handles and pull the gun away from the rod. Better leverage.

If that doesn't work, try using a CO2 ball remover.

If you don't have one of those, ensure the rod is seated by pushing it in, pull the nipple and introduce a few grains of powder, then replace the nipple, cap it and shoot it out (you know by now there's no barrel obstruction part way down).

Final trick is to pour oil in the bore and the flash channel and allow the patch to soak for a couple of days. Then start over from the top.

 

[JohnM]

mykeal nailed the procedure.
The idea of just "simply" removing the breech plug might sound easy, but it ain't on any side lock.
Good way to permanently wreck the piece.

 

[robhof]

If you don't have a CO2 style remover and do have access to compressed air; compressor, or scuba tank. I've used the low pressure(150-200psi) port from a regulator and a worn LP hose that I cut and it fits over a nipple nicely to eject failed ignitions on more than one occasion.

 

[WALKERs210]

Thanks everyone for advise, Mykeal I have no intentions of trying to remove the breech plug. I always remember a sign I saw back in the 60's. It said " LET SOMEONE THAT KNOWS HOW HAVE A WHAK AT THAT THING-A-MA-JIG" which in essences means if you don't know what your doing then DON'T. My work shop is not equipped like it once was and beside, Phil gave me a call and we talked about everything from how, why and why not, he even threaten me with snow. This just threw me a curve because I didn't apply any pressure when pushing the patch down the bore, it was like a little grimmlin was at bottom and just grabbed it. Thanks again to all.

 

[WALKERs210]

Following solid advise the ram rod, cleaning jag and all parts that are not suppose to be in the barrel are now firmly in the proper place. Thanks MYKEAL , KWHI43. Hopefully this will be the last time I have something happen that requires asking for help but it sure does feel good that there is a place with knowledgeable people to help.

 

[arcticap]

I'm glad that you didn't need to take any extreme measures, especially with a new rifle!
I always use an undersize jag for cleaning, usually a .41 caliber jag along with home cut patches that will still fit tight in the bore.

 

[PapaG]

Once you get it out...and you will, get some JB paste and lap that bore a couple hundred times to smooth it out. Most of those things are either rough from the start or have some slight pitting. I resurrected a .17 HMR from a fire with JB and it is back in a half-inch at fifty yards when I couldn't see light through it to start.

Rust/dust is a sure indicator of roughness and a ML bore needs to be slick.

 

[WALKERs210]

Yes sir Articap I defiantly will be getting a smaller cleaning jag for this one especially. After I got the jag out I did see that when this one is screwed to the ramrod there is a shoulder that was the culprit. It is a darn nice looking rifle and if the weather holds off for the next couple day I intend to see if it will shoot like I think it will. Way behind in shooting and got to catch up.

 

[arcticap]

That's good that you identified the problem with it.
Kleenbore jags fit my cleaning rod.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=56707&d=1176709883

 

[BHP FAN]

Sometimes the ''drum'' that the nipple is screwed into sticks into the bore on those Traditions Kentuckys, it did on mine. pulled it, filed it, dressed the threads, reinstalled, never had a problem since.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Mine is a flint lock and shoots better than I can . I think there a nice little rifle for the money. I bought mine used for $35 from my dealer He hates side lock guns Says no market for them . Everyone wants a inline to hunt with.

 

[WALKERs210]

Michael, there are several Pawn shops in a 30 mile rad, and most will not have anything to do with BP guns of any type. A few of them know what I like and look for they will call me if someone comes in with one. Has worked out pretty good so far.