Are all the 45's slip-in plugs? I have one on the way myself(sight unseen ughh) that has no plug at all...it has AL serial number which puts it at about 1976 I think.....I will know when it gets here if it is threaded or not..been researching breech plugs and of course I'm confused as of now... never had ML before...about time I guess...I'm sure I'll have a lot of cleaning-up to do...glad I found a bunch of experts on here....thanks to all
I also picked up one at the beginning of this month. Mine was really, really dirty, from built up black powder/BP substitute residue. I just finally cleaned the barrel out to the point where I think it's "clean". Under the gunk, the barrel wasn't too bad, some of the bluing is gone, and there is some light rust, but still working on it. Mine was a push out, it came out after soaking with a foaming MZ cleaner. The nipple was clogged, so much that you couldn't push a nipple pick through it. Finally cleaned it out, by soaking in a cleaner, and pushing a thin wire through until I saw daylight. Currently working on cleaning the receiver, by blasting cleaner through the 3 holes in the back. My hammer originally wouldn't lock back, but, it must have been the BP residue build up which prevented it from locking back. Now it's starting to lock back occasionally. I have it in parts on the dining room table (makes the wife unhappy). My next step is to take it apart to clean it thoroughly, but haven't found time to work on it yet. Mind didn't come with a ram rod, and neither H&R or Numerich Arms has any available. Thinking about building a solid wood one (but that would stick out too far in front of the muzzle), if all else fails, will buy a Hubbard replacement. Hope you have plenty of time to work on your new toy.
