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Author Topic: Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple  (Read 1464 times)

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Offline CrufflerSteve

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« on: July 05, 2005, 05:44:48 PM »
I picked up a used TC Hawken which seemed to have had little use. Yesterday I shot it for the first time. It worked well but my problem came when I tried to clean it.

There is something that looks like a set screw on the side by the nipple. That is so solid I doubt if I could move it. I haven't pushed since I don't want to strip it. Its just marinating in penetrant right now.

I tried a nipple wrench on the nipple to see what would happen. I just broke the wrench and the nipple didn't budge. Is there something I'm missing?

Steve
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Offline jh45gun

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2005, 05:49:02 PM »
The screw on the side should be a clean out screw. If Penetrating oil will not budge it get it hot with a torch.  Both the screw and the nipple.  Just heat until it gets just good and hot and that should break it loose turn it out while still hot do not let it cool. Then clean it out good and put anti seize on the threads of the screw and I would put in a new nipple. Since you have oil on it when the oil boils off it should be hot enough I would not heat it any more than that. Jim
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Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline Will Bison

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2005, 07:28:50 AM »
Steve;

Remember that TC has a life time warranty on all products, ship it to them and they will fix it.
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Offline jh45gun

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2005, 09:39:52 AM »
Quote from: Will Bison
Steve;

Remember that TC has a life time warranty on all products, ship it to them and they will fix it.


Good point. I do think getting a nipple and screw loose should not be that dificult to remove. I do have to add though as a after thought if you use heat make sure the gun is not charged in case some one left a load in it. I would bet the penetrating oil should work and a little heat if that fails should work to loosen them up. If that fails you can always send it back to the Co.
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Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline roundball

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2005, 12:59:40 PM »
Quote from: jh45gun
Quote from: Will Bison
Steve;

Remember that TC has a life time warranty on all products, ship it to them and they will fix it.


Good point. I do think getting a nipple and screw loose should not be that dificult to remove. I do have to add though as a after thought if you use heat make sure the gun is not charged in case some one left a load in it. I would bet the penetrating oil should work and a little heat if that fails should work to loosen them up. If that fails you can always send it back to the Co.


I bought a used TC Hawken percussion about 15 years ago with the old style breechplug/cleanout screw on it...frozen too...sent the barrel to TC with a nice memo, and they replaced the whole breechplug with the new style production version, no charge...decided then and there TC was a company worth staying with...still with them today...if you send it, send it to the attention of Service Manager Tim Pancurak.
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Offline lostid

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2005, 03:25:15 PM »
You take roundballs advise if yer shooting TC,, man , I gotta tell ya Round Ball Know's TC on a first name basis :D
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Offline CrufflerSteve

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2005, 04:23:01 PM »
I did try heating it with no luck. I assume you meant heating it, not making it red hot. My broken nipple wrench didn't work well with a clamp holding it together. The screw really bothers me. With some wirebrushing & bright lights it looks like it is one with barrel. The slot in the screw is there but it feels like a little force will just strip it.

I guess it goes back to TC.

Lostid - Do you and Roundball have some history I should know about? Is there really a quality problem with TC?

Steve
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Offline lostid

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2005, 05:12:17 PM »
Quote from: CrufflerSteve

Lostid - Do you and Roundball have some history I should know about? Is there really a quality problem with TC?
Steve


 To answer your questions; yes,,then no. the second question,,NO.
 Thompsen Center has always honored their warranty.  Roundball Knows TC! that's all he owns.!

 Maybe someday I'll meet'em,,and learn him how ta shoot proper.! :)  Till then,,,you web searchers should listenen too roundball bout' them tc's
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Offline jh45gun

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2005, 05:14:51 PM »
TC makes good guns do not worry about it. I think they were just Joshing each other with their mountain man spiel.
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Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline CrufflerSteve

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Thanks for the Help
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2005, 05:26:07 AM »
I appreciate all your suggestions. When I get back next week I'll send it back to TC.

I do appreciate the suggestion about being properly traditional. I have a couple Civil War repro rifles which are a lot of fun. The TC Hawken was an impulse buy on a pawn shop visit. It seems like inlines have totally taken over the BP market. Darned shame.

My interest in cannon has taken me further into the past. I now have one handgonne. I'll probably get one more then do an arquebus. After that it'll probably be a matchlock and perhaps a snaphaunce & wheel lock. Then I might want to try one of them modern new-fangled flintlocks. I've been hanging out in a forum on another board where discuss these items.

Steve
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Offline Charles/NM

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2005, 06:33:25 AM »
I replaced that little screw in my T/C Hawken with a stainless steel hex set screw around 25 years ago. The original slotted head screw just looked like a problem waiting to happen.  I still have the original screw stashed away incase I get the urge to be more 'traditional'. The only time I had a problem with a nipple sticking was once when I tried 777 powder.  It was given to me by a Savage in-line shooter because it made his breech plugs stick too.  Makes good flower fertilizer.
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Offline CrufflerSteve

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2005, 05:36:23 PM »
The Hawken is working now. I sent the barrel back to TC and it returned today. They put a new stainless nipple in. They did not open the cleanout screw but I guess I can live with that.

If you call TC be careful about who you talk to. When I called some lady answered and I told her about my rifle. She said that since it was second hand I should just go away and not bother them. I asked to be put through to service so I could ask a 'technical question'. The service fellow said to send it right in and they'd take care of it.

I'm happy that it is working but now I'm in trouble. I've learned more about Hawkens and I want a real one! Maybe from Don Stith or Track of the Wolf. A little knowledge can be darned expensive.

Steve
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Offline roundball

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Removing a Stuck TC Hawken Nipple
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2005, 04:25:29 AM »
Quote from: CrufflerSteve


If you call TC be careful about who you talk to. When I called some lady answered and I told her about my rifle. She said that since it was second hand I should just go away and not bother them. I asked to be put through to service so I could ask a 'technical question'. The service fellow said to send it right in and they'd take care of it.
Steve



( PS: That's why I had suggested you send it directly to the attention of Service Manager Tim Pancurak )
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"Flintlocks.......The Real Deal"
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