GSO Muzzleloader Smiths?

Diznastyx80

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Anyone know of a smith in the gso area that works on muzzleloaders? Need some work done on my old lyman great plains.
 
I don't personally, but you might try checking with Cherry's -- they may well have the best smith rolodex for that. Just a thought ...
 
Kind of a long story. Wrench is broken off in the touch hole insert....and it still had a charge in it. No luck with the ball puller.
 
Less the ridicule and assumptions.
 

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Less the ridicule and assumptions.


It looks to me like the plug is large enuff that if you can find someone who tig welds ( most machine shops can) and is willing to do it on a firearm you can get a small socket welded to the plug then simply use a ratchet to screw it out and replace the plug. Heat from the welding should release the plug.
 
Ha fair enough! I did dump some in. Just hope its not a lost cause.


It's not. What I see in the picture can be fixed. If nothing else soak the plug in Ed's Red. Don't get in a hurry. Google it if you don't know what it is. Then use a dremel with a small cutting wheel to cut a slot in the plug till you can fit a screwdriver bit into it. Smack the plug with a hammer a few times and if the soaking does it's job you should be able to screw it out.
 
How about clamping the barrel(aimed at a safe direction) in a vice, use a wrench to unscrew the breachplug and empty the powder first?
 
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How about clamping the barrel(aimed at a safe direction) in a vice, use a wrench to unscrew the breachplug and empty the powder first?

Thats been tried...not even going to post pics of how that turned out. From what i have read lyman "mechanically" installs the breach plugs with some sort if loctite and machine assistance. Being this is probably 15 - 20 years old im guessing its had a long time to set. One suggestion was to heat the barrel but again with a live charge id rather not risk it.
 
If you were closer I would offer to help. Getting someone unfamiliar with a muzzle stuffer to help is going to be hard enuff. But one still loaded is worse. It is not impossible just needs to be done in a safe manner.
 
Thats been tried...not even going to post pics of how that turned out. From what i have read lyman "mechanically" installs the breach plugs with some sort if loctite and machine assistance. Being this is probably 15 - 20 years old im guessing its had a long time to set. One suggestion was to heat the barrel but again with a live charge id rather not risk it.
I'd contact a Lyman service rep and find out for certain what is the fact about breech plug removal, that is the only safe way to remove the powder from a obstructed barrel, jmho. Good luck.
 
It's not. What I see in the picture can be fixed. If nothing else soak the plug in Ed's Red. Don't get in a hurry. Google it if you don't know what it is. Then use a dremel with a small cutting wheel to cut a slot in the plug till you can fit a screwdriver bit into it. Smack the plug with a hammer a few times and if the soaking does it's job you should be able to screw it out.


Are we sure that plug is screwed in vs. pressed? I wouldn't want to bet. But, at this point, the idea of cutting a slot for screwdriver has a lot of merit.
 
Are we sure that plug is screwed in vs. pressed? I wouldn't want to bet. But, at this point, the idea of cutting a slot for screwdriver has a lot of merit.

There is a star key pattern. I suppose it could be pressed. I wasnt able to find a solid diagram.
 
I'd contact a Lyman service rep and find out for certain what is the fact about breech plug removal, that is the only safe way to remove the powder from a obstructed barrel, jmho. Good luck.

All good ideas. I am thinking about calling and getting a recommendation.
 
If you were closer I would offer to help. Getting someone unfamiliar with a muzzle stuffer to help is going to be hard enuff. But one still loaded is worse. It is not impossible just needs to be done in a safe manner.

I know. Im from PA and smiths who worked on muzzleloaders were pretty common.
 
The replacements for this model are threaded. But I have gouged it bad trying to turn it. Now it needs a new breech plug!


This is getting comical!
 
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Post pics of the rest of it.




But just in case you still want fix it look at the line around the barrel just left of the plug in question. That whole piece on the end of the barrel screws out if you can break it loose.
 
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I chewed my barrel up pretty bad trying to break the plug loose. Ive read in several places to try to heat it up to around 350 then try.

It's not hijacking when we are all commiserating about stubborn toys! Haha
 
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Unlike some makers, Thompson Center doesn't (didn't?) want people removing their breech plugs, and they don't make it easy. I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're installed with red Loctite (permanent), which must be seriously heated to release.
 
Unlike some makers, Thompson Center doesn't (didn't?) want people removing their breech plugs, and they don't make it easy. I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're installed with red Loctite (permanent), which must be seriously heated to release.



500 deg. to be exact.
 
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