Author Topic: modified breech plug wrench for sidekick (Read 3428 times)

jdbe · « **on:** January 28, 2005, 02:35:08 PM »

I feel the design of the breech plug pulling wrench is just plain silly. It is very hard to press down on it while sliding a screw driver through the hole to use as leverage. I also found it is very easy to scratch the gun if the point of the screw driver sticks out a little when you turn it. I decided to remedy this problem by welding a 3/4" nut on the top of the puller. The 3/4" nut is almost exactly the diameter as the puller, so I just taped it on and filled the inside of the nut ( where the bolt would normally go through it) with material. This makes a very strong weld ( the whole nut got red hot). Now, I can put a 3/4 socket ( deep one even better as clearance for scope and all) on the nut and just turn off the breech plug. No more wrestling with the darned thing and scratching the gun. There still is access to the silly hole thing to use as no materialgets on the plug puller except in the hole of the nut. If anyone does not have access to a welder ( I used my wire feed), I would be happy to make one up for you at no charge. Just mail me the nut and breech plug puller and I will weld it up and drop it back in mail the next day. I am not a professional metal shop or anything, just willing to help out those who do not have or know anyone with a welder.
John edelen
10593 s 2200 w
south jordan, UT 84095
801-254-8749

mangulator · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2005, 03:24:05 PM »

jdbe, That's great idea I will take you up on that offer. Thanks

jason burns · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2005, 07:11:48 AM »

Yeah . . . it is just a bad design as it comes from the factory. I just welded a steel handle to the side of mine so it is easy to keep up with. The socket is a better fix though!

jdbe · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2005, 07:07:24 PM »

No problem guys, drop them in mail and I will be happy to weld any and send them back - just be sure to include a good return address. It only takes like 5 min to do, so it is really no problem. I do not know what nef was thinking with that wrench. I scratched the gun a bit with a screw driver when it slipped through too far. I also made som nifty range rods out of steel round stock. I tapped the end and put nice handles on them. The weight of the steel is nice for loading. I have one with a jag for running patches and another with the loading jag for ballistic tips.

jritter · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2005, 05:09:17 PM »

jdbe, that is a great fix, I would like to take you up on that also. I have a simmons 44mag scope on mine, and I have to remove the barrel to get a screwdriver into the hole to remove the breech plug. The plug ends up tightened in a vertical position. I will send a self addressed stamped envelope. Thanks.

jdbe · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2005, 05:26:25 PM »

Yep, it will work much better with the scope mount. I don't have any blueing any longer to reblue the tool, but you guys should be able to figure that part out if it is important to you.

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2005, 01:46:37 PM »

Hey,
On the old H&R web site, one of the guys filed down the tool to fit into a spark plug socket, then filled it in with J-B Weld. I did it and it works fine. Now I just place the socket on the wrench and out comes the breech plug. Try it you'll like it :-) .

jritter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2005, 02:19:26 PM »

That sounds like it will work as well bjgolfnut, just sounds like a lot more work. As jdbe says, someone that knows how to use a welder, this is only a 5 minute deal. Plus probably a lot stronger. The jb weld thing would be my second choice if I didn't have anyone with a welder.

jdbe · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2005, 06:26:22 PM »

I got your wrench and nut when I got home this evening around 9:30. I work late tomorrow, but will weld it up Wed and send it into the mail that afternoon. Thanks for including a self addressed and stamped envelope

I have used JB weld and it can be fairly stong as it is used for engines and can be tapped/milled, but you have to clean things well and I have doubts about durability if you really get a stuck plug as the amount of force needed to free them can be high. If no other option, give it a try, but it only costs like $2 to mail it to me including a self addressed and stamped return envelope. Either way, more than happy to weld as many as come my way.

jdbe · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2005, 06:17:17 PM »

I got your wrench welded - ended up putting two bolts stacked on top of each other on it as that will give you better purchase. I had to do some work on the truck, so did not get to post it, but will drop it in mail tomorrow while running errands.

jritter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2005, 07:04:19 AM »

Thanks jdbe.

jritter · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2005, 04:08:54 PM »

jdbe, received your modified breech plug wrench today. Excellent. Thank you. I have an old deep well 3/4" socket and an old ratchet to go with it in my black powder box. The two nuts really get a good grip, and allows to clear my scope as well. I can easily get enough torque to remove a lug nut. :grin: :grin:
I can't say enough about the great people on this forum, and Greybeard does a great job of running it.

lik2hunt · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2005, 10:59:52 PM »

I used this idea for my Huntsman.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=36377

I used a ratchet and extensions I already had and I substituted a 7/8 socket and used a washer to raise the tool out of the socket enough. Fitted all the parts before applying the JB Weld. Very strong and works great with the scope on. Just be sure you fill all the void in the socket with the JB Weld. Too much is better than not enough and it wipes off easily when it's still wet.

jdbe · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2005, 08:34:12 AM »

glad to see it works for you. I am not a prof welder and was using a wire feed which is hard to get as precise a weld with compared to gas, so the weld is a bit rough. I figure it should hold well and as it is only a tool, looks are not critical. If anyone else needs one welded, just drop them in the mail with a self addressed and stamped envelope for return mail and I will be happy to weld them up for you guys and gals. Next up for me will be scope rail, but I dumped all my birthday money into a good gps unit so that I can have a little peace of mind on the trails on my pack trips ( horse).

JerryS · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2005, 04:37:33 PM »

Learned something about my sidekick this week, thought I would pass it on. If you have read thru the huntsman threads you have seen 3 different ways to modify the BP tool. Busta milled flats on the tool, Perklo JB welded his into a socket and jdbe welded on a nut. All 3 are good ideas.

I chose Busta's method and found this does not work as well on a sidekick (at least mine) as it did on a huntsman. Because the sidekick has a shorter receiver, the closer pivot point prevents the gun from opening enough to allow clearance above the receiver for the socket to get a straight line with the breech. I tried a couple different style sockets but needed just a hair more clearance. I am assuming Perklo's method would have the same problem since his uses a larger socket. Both tools will work fine if the barrel is removed.

jdbe's welded 3/4" nut is a good sidekick tool since the nut extends beyond the top of the receiver.

Since my breech plug slot is vertical when tight, the scope prevents me from using a screwdriver. My solution is just a large sturdy allen wrench. I insert the short end thru the BP tool hole and the long end provides a handle to turn while I apply pressure to the back of the tool with my thumb.

Jerry

mt_jeep · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2005, 06:02:31 AM »

Jerry,

I have a Sidekick... just arrived last Thursday. On the same day, I went to a Pawn shop and found a 3/8" 21mm socket.... perfect fit. I dropped a nickel into the socket as a spacer and that was just enough. I then JB Welded the plug wrench into the socket and set it aside.

I was a little worried when I read your post, but when I went home and tried the socket, it just clears the receiver. For those of you that want an easy fix, the "socket method" will work on a Sidekick, you just need to search for the right (cheaply made with thin sidewalls?) 3/8" 21mm socket.

Pawn shops are a great place to search for cheap sockets.

JerryS · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2005, 02:28:57 PM »

mt_jeep,

Glad to hear the socket worked for you. The socket that almost worked for me was a 13/16 spark plug socket. If you do the math this should actually be slightly smaller than your 21 mm but, like you said, the thickness of the sidewall probably made the difference. Although small, the gun manufacturing tolerances may also have contributed.

I thought about taking a grinder to the socket to make it thinner (or look for a cheap socket) but I am going to wait and see if I ever need that much torque to remove the breech plug at the range or field. I will still be able to use the socket when cleaning since I'll remove the barrel.

Jerry

mrlizzzard · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2005, 12:14:42 AM »

I welded a spare 3"socket extension(1/4) on to the back of the supplied excuse for a wrench,it works fine.
lizzzard

bubba · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2005, 02:05:40 PM »

Hi John I was reading this thread. Does your offer still apply? If so I will get the nuts and mail 2 plugs to you if you dont mind. I will also include the sase.

Thank you

Bubba

Zeak · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2005, 11:36:57 AM »

I took a 7/16 x3/8 drive socket, cut the socket off about a half inch,just enough so you can fit a 3" extension into the socket. Welded the socket to the back of the tool. Had a old 3/8 rachet went to the store and bought 3" extension for around $3. Put the 2 in your cleaning kit and works good when you have a scope mounted. Zeak

rp · « **Reply #20 on:** April 29, 2005, 02:25:33 AM »

Thats very close to what I did, evcept I think I used an old 1/4 drive 10mm socket and did'nt bother cutting it any shorter. I simple fix. Sad thing is I have not even shot the gun yet! OR the 22-250 barrel I just got back from H&R. Residing the house :roll:

jdbe · « **Reply #21 on:** September 30, 2005, 10:53:57 AM »

Sorry I have not read the threads in a heck of a long time. I would be happy to weld anyones' up for them . One mod that might be nicer for some folks is to weld the socket head right to the bolts. This way, you do not have to worry about the socket comming off - a little easier to use. I have not done this to mine as I did not want to dedicate the socket head to the tool ( not be able to use it for other things). After using mine a bunch, there are times when it would be nice if the socket was welded to the bolts that I welded onto the removal tool. It is not required as it works fine the way I made mine, but might be an improvement. Send them to me and I can get tem done for you.

jritter · « **Reply #22 on:** October 03, 2005, 01:11:59 PM »

Yea right, weld up my snap-on spark plug socket? That would be come a real expensive tool real quick!

tscott · « **Reply #23 on:** October 04, 2005, 05:40:21 AM »

You know after any number of these great ideas, you would have thought
NEF, would have come on board by now with plug extraction.
Silly is a good word, if my Huntsman didn't shoot so well I'd a ditched it!!!
My other peeve... Have you seen recent fit of wood to metal? Man, I know
it's palet wood, and there is a reason for the relatively cheap price, but I saw a new single shotgun the other day, that I'd be embarassed to take home. Are they just slappin' them together? I did take a rasp and sand paper to my Huntsman.

slayer · « **Reply #24 on:** October 04, 2005, 02:06:10 PM »

Good question, my Sidekick has very nice wood to metal and fit and the case hardening is very nice. That being said, it took me 3 times to get a decent H&R BC .45/70, it either had a bad butplate, bad wood, or in the case of the one I kept, the case hardenign only cover 3/4 of the lock. If the wood and fit wasn`t so nice, that one would have gone back also. How can you only do half of the lock with case hardening? Jack. P.S. The breechplug tool for the Sidekick/Huntsman has to be the worst tool ever designed for a firearm, you would think they would have fixed this by now.

lockup · « **Reply #25 on:** October 06, 2005, 02:30:41 PM »

i welded a 14mm deepwell socket on mine works good

nickjg21 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 10, 2005, 01:12:37 PM »

Hello, my name is Nick Gentile from Cleveland Ohio. Are you still doing the breech plugs if I send you mine?

JohnDY · « **Reply #27 on:** November 14, 2005, 01:51:23 PM »

Here's my fix.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/JohnDY61/shooting/P0002560.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

I just welding a 3/8 inch extension to end of the H&R breech plug tool. I went with a 4 inch long extension to be sure it would clear the scope.

It works great. I have already welded another one up for a friend that bought a Sidekick after shooting my Huntsman.