Replace Breech Plug Annually?

[flmason]

From a Traditions Manual:

" Note: Breech plugs will wear out over time and should be replaced periodically. We recommend that you purchase at least one extra breech plug for emergencies in the field or at the range. We recommend that you replace your breech plugs after every year and nipples after every hunting season."


So... if I don't shoot a lot...  how do I know when it's replacement time? Granted if it was blowing gas terribly that might be a sign, but other than that, what is it one looks for?

[Forestclimber]

I don't know how you could wear out a breech plug if you are using nipples in it.  My Knight Bighorn is more than a few years old, and I still use the original breech plug and nipple.

[Forestclimber]

They want to sell products.

[flmason]

I don't know how you could wear out a breech plug if you are using nipples in it.  My Knight Bighorn is more than a few years old, and I still use the original breech plug and nipple.

Well, when the box arrives I'll have to take a look. But it's a 209, and I believe it's one piece. So not sure if that's what you mean by nipple? (Which I take to mean a separate threaded piece like in my '58 Remington revolver.)

[Tn Jim]

I average 50 or so shots a year out of my Encore. I bought it new 5 or 6 years ago and it still has the original breech plug in it. As far as I can tell it still looks as good today as it did the day I bought it. I agree with Forestclimber. They want to sell products.

[simonkenton]

Inappropriate responds deleted by Graybeard. If you don't like the quesions he asks ignore then don't post stupid remarks to him which are in volation of the site rules. Be nice or be gone. Graybeard.

[1marty]

I replace the beach plug on my Thompson Omega when it needs to be replaced. Sounds like these fast lube places which tell you to change the oil every 3 thousand miles.

[Doug B.]

I might not change my toothbrush that often! 

[rebAL]

I might not change my toothbrush that often! 

  I guess that would depend on how many teeth you have  I mean is it a "TOOTHbrush".  LOL  But getting down to original post;  I have worn out nipples to the point that striker does not make solid contact resulting in "Click"

[flmason]

I might not change my toothbrush that often! 

  I guess that would depend on how many teeth you have  I mean is it a "TOOTHbrush".  LOL  But getting down to original post;  I have worn out nipples to the point that striker does not make solid contact resulting in "Click"

Definitely had that issue with one Navy Colt repro I had. Some of the nipple chipped at the edge. But still had some flat. Never had to replace them. They seemed to work. Anyway, the whole inline thing is new to me, so I have a lot of noob type questions.

Have had two BP guns in the past. '61 Navy Colt and a .45 cal. "Tower Lock" single shot pistol, that was a kit. So been there. Not sure what the wear and tear issues with inlines really are.

Currently have a '58 Remington and an inline coming in the mail, so guess time will tell.

[SHOOTALL]

if the threads are good and spark hole clean and not worn why would it need replacing ? with a 209 plug nothing really takes a beating

[flmason]

if the threads are good and spark hole clean and not worn why would it need replacing ? with a 209 plug nothing really takes a beating

Well, yeah, I didn't think so, but no experience with them until mine gets here next week. Being that they point back towards the shooter, I worry about some sort of failure aiming hot gas at the shooter. Have seem NEF break actions open up on shooters (centerfire) and since I ordered a drop breech, I wonder if it could somehow drop and I'll end up singed, LOL! (Or in reality blinded if safety glasses don't do the job.)

[SHOOTALL]

If all that happened at one time it would appear your number was up and nothing would have stoped it .
I would worry more about a charge not seated all the way and the bbl letting go . But that's just me !

[mechanic]

Obviously, I am not in a position to give advise on safety issues.  Thats your call.  For my part however, there would have to be some reason for me to replace the plug other than a recommendation.  If gas has cut by the threads, if the flame hole is somehow pitted and doesn't work correctly?  You have to reason that if damage occurs to the threaded area of the breech plug on an inline, the same damage has occured to the barrel.  IMO the plug should last as long as the barrel with the exception of the flame hole area.....

[Double 30]

 Depending on your load, I shoot on the light side, I found plugs in my Omega were good for 4-500 rounds. Signs that replacement was necessary were, increase in breech sooting and general enlargement of groups.
 I find nipples are good for about the same life. I had a Knight American and have a T/C Black Diamond XR .50 and have never needed to replace a plug.Other than damaged threads, the only reason I can think to replace one would be gas cutting on the front shoulder of the plug.
  One nice thing in favor of the cap guns is nipples are 1/3rd the cost of a plug and easier to find.

[Cuts Crooked]

if the threads are good and spark hole clean and not worn why would it need replacing ? with a 209 plug nothing really takes a beating

Well, yeah, I didn't think so, but no experience with them until mine gets here next week. Being that they point back towards the shooter, I worry about some sort of failure aiming hot gas at the shooter. Have seem NEF break actions open up on shooters (centerfire) and since I ordered a drop breech, I wonder if it could somehow drop and I'll end up singed, LOL! (Or in reality blinded if safety glasses don't do the job.)

I've got one of those Traditions drop breech rifles. I like it a lot! Have had it for a couple of seasons now and have never seen anything that makes me want to replace the breech plug. The 209 nipple can be replaced and one might want to have a spare or two of those I suppose. I've noticed that in an extened shooting session the nipple can get fouled enough to cause the occasional misfire. A quick brushing out is all it needs when that happens.

[flmason]

if the threads are good and spark hole clean and not worn why would it need replacing ? with a 209 plug nothing really takes a beating

Well, yeah, I didn't think so, but no experience with them until mine gets here next week. Being that they point back towards the shooter, I worry about some sort of failure aiming hot gas at the shooter. Have seem NEF break actions open up on shooters (centerfire) and since I ordered a drop breech, I wonder if it could somehow drop and I'll end up singed, LOL! (Or in reality blinded if safety glasses don't do the job.)

I've got one of those Traditions drop breech rifles. I like it a lot! Have had it for a couple of seasons now and have never seen anything that makes me want to replace the breech plug. The 209 nipple can be replaced and one might want to have a spare or two of those I suppose. I've noticed that in an extened shooting session the nipple can get fouled enough to cause the occasional misfire. A quick brushing out is all it needs when that happens.

So tell me, since I have yet to see mine in reality yet. (Box came in today, is waiting for me over at the UPS store.) Is there a path for hot gas from the breech to the trigger area? In some photos, looks like the sides of the drop breech go down into the trigger area when it's down. 

That means there's openings... and a possible path to your trigger finger of a serious blow by occurs?

Or am I misreading the exploded diagram somehow?

How's the durability of the breech latch with that side button look? Been wondering if it's a problem carrying it... as in, it might get bumped and the breech come ajar.

Had a Stevens Crackshot sorta rolling block .22 as a kid. Loved that rifle, to be sure. So rolling and falling blocks are something I guess I have a soft spot for, but I still think the break actions are the best arrangement for these I've seen. Unfortunately, in my current price bracket, they all seem to be pinned together. With the amount of fouling with BP, I wanted something I could take apart without punches.

So... on that ground the Yukon won out. That I could tear it apart for serious cleaning without hammering on it or voiding the warranty.

Otherwise, had the Deer Stalker been screwed together.... I'd have gone that way... really liked the nickel plated one. I'm a big fan if the NEF break actions in any caliber or gauge when it comes to reliable and affordable.

[flmason]

Depending on your load, I shoot on the light side, I found plugs in my Omega were good for 4-500 rounds. Signs that replacement was necessary were, increase in breech sooting and general enlargement of groups.
 I find nipples are good for about the same life. I had a Knight American and have a T/C Black Diamond XR .50 and have never needed to replace a plug.Other than damaged threads, the only reason I can think to replace one would be gas cutting on the front shoulder of the plug.
  One nice thing in favor of the cap guns is nipples are 1/3rd the cost of a plug and easier to find.

Once every 500 rounds isn't too bad. I doubt I'll fire that many in years.

For the moment this is going to be my only hunting rifle. And that's what I actually plan to use it for, as opposed to just recreational shooting. That's also what's behind a lot of my questions. I.e. "What's the best load and way to use one of these things?"

Had lots of centerfire guns at one time. Divested of them during a bad $$$ time. (Much like I'm going through again, sadly.) But almost all were really military oriented or single action magnums. Very little aimed at hunting, only 2 BP handguns. Closest things I had to hunting pieces were a 12 guage and (cough...) I considered my M-1 Garand to be my .30-06 for the field, LOL!

So I have much to learn about the 209's, BP rifles, and hunting.

Have to admit, though, my military leanings are here too. I really like those BP Springfields, LOL!

[Cuts Crooked]

So tell me, since I have yet to see mine in reality yet. (Box came in today, is waiting for me over at the UPS store.) Is there a path for hot gas from the breech to the trigger area? In some photos, looks like the sides of the drop breech go down into the trigger area when it's down. 

well...yes....after gasses make about three right angle turns, it could make it to the trigger area. Not likely, but remotely possible, if there was a catastrophic failure of the breech.

[flmason]

So tell me, since I have yet to see mine in reality yet. (Box came in today, is waiting for me over at the UPS store.) Is there a path for hot gas from the breech to the trigger area? In some photos, looks like the sides of the drop breech go down into the trigger area when it's down. 

well...yes....after gasses make about three right angle turns, it could make it to the trigger area. Not likely, but remotely possible, if there was a catastrophic failure of the breech.

Yeah, that's what I thought. To be honest, my feeling is that this is a design mistake. But that's just me. Since fouling and blow by is an apparently common phenomenon (from the post I've read anyway), I'm curious why hot gas isn't trying to cut peoples' fingers off. Well, just got mine in the door and will have to unpack it and take a look. I'd have gone with break action for this reason but for the fact that most of the budget priced ones are pinned together, making thorough cleaning and inspection a problem.

Box is banged up pretty bad and torn. Hoping I don't have a damaged gun at this point. :-( Generally Cabelas packs things a little more carefully, but there's no internal cushioning this time. Strange, as most things I've gotten from them have been over packed if anything.

[sabotloader]

This might be an answer - to replacing an expensive breech plug...

I know the picures will not turn out to well on this site but maybe you can make sense of it...

Well since I retired again! and I am suppose to have more time - I tackled my next project... installing a Savage type vent liner in a Breech Plug - preferrably a BP that has been burned out. I got a selection of vent liners from Grouse last week.

Problem... I do not have any burned out BP's like that so I took a brand new Omega BP to a friends Machine Shop - explained to him my problem and my thoughts and he said lets go do it.

I thought he would take it to a drill press and complete the work, but he chose to put it on a lathe as he wanted every thing to be parrallel and he wanted to match the contour of the bottom of the Vent liner with a simular detent in the bottom of the breech plug.

After he took his measurements and got the information he needed he chucked the BP and went to work. It actually took him longer to chuck up the BP than it did to create the VL pocket in the BP, drill out the flash channel, then run a 10/32 tap in the new flash channel. He estimated the next one would take him 15 minutes - start to finish. I am still sure you could do almost as well on a good drill press - think Lee proved that.

The flash hole in the 'Domed' Lehigh liner is .032 and the one in the flat Savage is very very close to the same. I am actually thinking the domed liner might provide less blow back.

Now, if the weather would cool down I would run out to the farm and give it a try. Might be a few days. But I am convinced this is the way to salvage BP's - buying vent liners is a lot cheaper than buying BP's.

If this works as well as I think it might grab a new Knight plug and do the same thing...

Here are some pictures of the project...



Hope this helps explain the project....

[Cuts Crooked]

Well...have you unpacked that thing yet? We're waitin ta hear what you think!

Some comments: get yourself a good cleaning/loading rod for range use, the rod that comes with it is really only intended fer field use. It can be used to clean, but I would only use it that way in an emergancy.

Remove the front sight!!!! If yer doing any hunting in brush you will lose it! (the only thing I really didn't like about the gun is that cheap front sight)

That scope is passible....not great, but it will get the job done. If I were depending on this gun to feed the family I'd replace it. But to be honest it did the job in subzero temps last winter, took two deer with it. One at 40 yards, and one at 90 yards.

The trigger is a bit stiff fer my taste. Again, it's passible but not great! No adjustment to it either. This can be a plus or a minus.....very safe though!

Overall: The design is solid and accurate with sabots (never tried solid projectiles in it so I can't comment on them). Easy to carry in brush and to shoot with heavy winter clothing on! It's very easy to clean too! Overall I'd give a four out of five stars, so to speak. Solid performer, no frills, hunting tool. It ain't pretty  but it'll do the job!

[flmason]

Well...have you unpacked that thing yet? We're waitin ta hear what you think!

Some comments: get yourself a good cleaning/loading rod for range use, the rod that comes with it is really only intended fer field use. It can be used to clean, but I would only use it that way in an emergancy.

Remove the front sight!!!! If yer doing any hunting in brush you will lose it! (the only thing I really didn't like about the gun is that cheap front sight)

That scope is passible....not great, but it will get the job done. If I were depending on this gun to feed the family I'd replace it. But to be honest it did the job in subzero temps last winter, took two deer with it. One at 40 yards, and one at 90 yards.

The trigger is a bit stiff fer my taste. Again, it's passible but not great! No adjustment to it either. This can be a plus or a minus.....very safe though!

Overall: The design is solid and accurate with sabots (never tried solid projectiles in it so I can't comment on them). Easy to carry in brush and to shoot with heavy winter clothing on! It's very easy to clean too! Overall I'd give a four out of five stars, so to speak. Solid performer, no frills, hunting tool. It ain't pretty  but it'll do the job!

No, haven't unpacked it yet. Probably should. The box was handle rough enough it was torn in one place. Have had other things to deal with for a bit. Planning in the next few days to take a good look at it. Hoping the it hasn't sustained any damage.

But yes, new toy to inspect. :-) 

OK, definitely *not* a toy, but you get the idea.

No big rush though. Decision was made, this will have to be my game rifle for the immediate foreseeable future. Assuming it's not damaged, pretty much planning to order a bullet mold or two and see what does or doesn't work.

Yeah, a 4x fixed scope isn't the current standard (which I take to be 3x9)... but "way back when" it was pretty much a standard choice. Until presently, I've always been a iron sight guy. But given the rounder trajectory of this sort of gun compared to centerfire, though maybe a scope would be useful.

Well, I hope she's accurate. :-D

[Cuts Crooked]

Well, I hope she's accurate. :-D

I hope so too! Had mine out to the range two days ago just to give it a check up........1 3/4" inches for three shots at 100yds. Two more shots opened the group up to three inches, but I wasn't cleaning b'tween shots. I figger that's "minute of kill zone" accuracy so I'm satisfied!