Huntsman Firing Pin Breakages

[kody]

   I got my Huntsman from a Gander Mountain store, preowned, and at a discount. It had a few small noticable glitches which they discounted for further. Too much later and 300 miles away I found a firmly imbedded firing pin tip in the breech plug hole. There was a firing pin in place and I replaced the breech plug. About 100 shots later the pin is broken again but this time, at least, the tip isn't in the plug. What might cause 2 firing pins to break in this gun? I am now faced with a pin replacement and haven't found any info in the FAQs on this subject and could use a little help. I have read up on all the things I can do while I'm inside the frame and plan to do so, but I'm not sure if I have all my bases covered!   Thanks,  kody

[OldSchoolRanger]

kody,

Read Perklo's Handi rifle trigger job in the FAQ's.  After you get the pins, and parts out for the trigger job, it's just one more pin to remove to replace the firing pin.  Be careful, you don't lose the firing pin spring when you remove the firing pin assembly.  While you have everything out, you might as well do a trigger job.

After that take a look in the firing pin hole, and make sure that there aren't any burrs, or a small sliver of metal inside the firing pin hole, from the original broken firing pin, before installing a new firing pin.  IIRC some of the firing pins made by H&R weren't heat treated properly which led to some firing pin breakages.

It's also possible the original owner of the Huntsman practiced dry firing without a used primer in place to catch the firing pin strike.  That may have led to the original firing pin breakage. 

Best of luck with your repair.  Let us know how you make out.

[mechanic]

My question is, whether or not the breech plug is factory?  If the plug is not, the pin could be overtraveling into the plug.  Is the plug seating fully?  Using the FAQ's you can measure firing pin protrusion as well.  If someone has altered the hammer, the pin may be going too deep. 
 
Ben

[trotterlg]

Which model huntsman do you have?  There is a really big difference between the origionals and the newer ones.  Larry

[OldSchoolRanger]

My question is, whether or not the breech plug is factory?  If the plug is not, the pin could be overtraveling into the plug.  Is the plug seating fully?  Using the FAQ's you can measure firing pin protrusion as well.  If someone has altered the hammer, the pin may be going too deep. 
 
Ben

He replaced the OEM breechplug with the unmentionable plug.

Which model huntsman do you have?  There is a really big difference between the origionals and the newer ones.  Larry

I think it's the newer one since he is currently using the unmentionable plug.

[trotterlg]

Sure would be nice if we could talk like adults and post what kind of hardware we are using so as to help each other out a little.  Hatfields and McCoy's I guess, if you are old enough to remember them.  Larry

[kody]

       Thanks gents for all of the responses.  I have an  NS316158 s/n on my frame. The 7/8 breech plug is in a .50 cal. barrel.  I will be taking this frame apart as soon as I get my new pin. Any way of determining the pin quality as per the mention of some bad pins. I will get a spare while I'm at it too.  Thanks again, and I will pass on any news about this project.   kody

[PHATINJUN]

Your issues as others have stated are more than likely due to either the pin sticking due to crud or piercing the primers. I think as long as you are aware of what is going on and you don't try and force the action open and keep the pin clean you will be ok. Once you get your new pin in pay close attention to how far it protrudes if it is piercing the primer file it down a little. You may have to end up being very peticular on what you are using for primers once you find what works stay with it.Kurt

[PHATINJUN]

"I think it's the newer one since he is currently using the unmentionable plug."
 
Just a side note to this I have one of the unmentionable plugs in one of my old .45 cal Huntsman. Kurt

[OldSchoolRanger]

"I think it's the newer one since he is currently using the unmentionable plug."
 
Just a side note to this I have one of the unmentionable plugs in one of my old .45 cal Huntsman. Kurt

How did you get the unmentionable plug into one of the older .45 Huntsman?  I would have to venture a guess that it was the screw in breech plug type.  Is that correct?  Were the threads and depth (for the head spacing) the correct fit?  Or were modifications necessary?

[OldSchoolRanger]

Kurt,

Another question, would it in your opinion, be feasible to put one of those plugs into a currently push in/out type older Huntsman, after having the breech area threaded to fit the unmentionable plug?

[PHATINJUN]

Yes one of my .45's had a screw in plug. In order to get the proper head space I used a hand fit washer . it is very accurate I use a hot load of BH209 it really should not be as accurate as it is with the 1-56 twist but it is and it works so i don't mess with the load anymore I just shoot it . Also I think I looked at threading one before i did this and there was some reason it would not work but don't remember what it was. Check it out and see what you come up with ...I've been wrong before   Kurt