Encore breech plug stuck - HELP!

[Grunthunter]

I may have screwed up.  I just got my Encore out to get ready for opening day in two weeks.  I opened it up and discovered a spent primer in the breech.  I'm now wondering if I put the gun away last year without cleaning it.  I can't budge the breech plug to get it out, with the Encore socket wrench anyway. :oops:

I've always used the pyrodex 777 pellets in it and was always good about cleaning it after every time I fired it.  Any suggestions ?

HELP ! ! !

[Encore28]

GruntHunter
I cleaned my Encore 2 weeks ago and put anti-seize on the breech plug and threads and shot it 2 days ago and couldnt get the plug out!!! Today after two applications of Liquid Wrench(c) I got it out. Once again I applied a coating of Gorilla Grease(c). I will be hunting tomorrow and will see if it comes out easily if I shoot it tomorrow.
Try the liquid wrench, leaving it soak in a few minutes before trying to unscrew it.
Good luck
Encore28

[Grunthunter]

Encore28,

My problem has been solved.  I pulled the barrel off and sandwiched the hinge between two pieces of wood in my vice.  That's all I needed was a little extra leverage.  I slipped the socket wrench over it and it popped right loose with really not that much effort.  The UGLY truch is that I had put it away last season without cleaning it.  I had been throughly cleaning it after each time I had it out shooting it.  For some reason I must have gotten distracted and thought I had cleaned it.  Anyway, it had only been fired once before I put it away.  That 777 sure cleans up just like they advertize!  I put some hot soapy water in our laundry sink and ran a swab through it and everything just flushed right out in just a couple of swipes through.  I don't think I'll ever make that mistake again .... famous last words ... huh?  I think the last time I fired it was last Dec.

Good luck with yours.  I'm going out to fire mine to see where it's shooting with the new 209ML primers I picked up.  ML Season starts here the last Sat of Oct and runs for 9 days.  I'm ready to go sit in my new box blind I just built  :-)

[Stan M.]

Glad you got it out! Usually disassembling the rifle and putting the barrel in a padded vise and using a good 6 point socket will get it out. The T.C. provided tool is not a high quality tool. I like to use a good T handle with the socket. It doesn't hurt to let the plug soak with P.B. Blaster or Liquid wrench for a few hours. I have seen severe worse case scenario where heat was added the the breech area to remove damaged plugs without damaging the bluing on the gun. I would reccomend someone with a great deal of experience (gunsmith) perform that task.
 I good lubricate will prevent all this. If you shoot a lot at one session it does not hurt to break the plug loose and tigthen it back snug or hand tight. You do not need to crank down hard on a breech plug! Snug is all that is needed.
Hope this helps someone, because I see this problem often.
Good Shooting,
Stan

[Camper]

I always use gorrila grease and hand tighten my breach plug only.  I went shooting the other day and fired 5 shots,  I went home to clean the gun and with without any ease, the breech plug lossened off like I had just screwed it on.

Camper

[poncaguy]

I always use the Thompson grease and only hand tighten my plug. Had 4 Remington ML fail to fire 2 777 pellets in my Pursuit LT. Will not use them anymore, using Winchesters from now on.....and AP FFG

[xs pro-comp]

When you are at the range shooting, just before you leave break the breech plug loose while the barrel is still warm. It's a lot easier to loosen then than when the barrel cools down. Teflon tape on the threads and breech face seams to work better than anti-seize or grease also.