Author Topic: Size of Breech Plug  (Read 1109 times)

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Offline ford4wd08

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Size of Breech Plug
« on: October 25, 2012, 05:02:24 AM »
Can anyone tell me the size of the breech plug on this sidekick ML? I am thinking about buying this off of gunbroker, and would probably get the upgrade of the MU plug.




TThanks  :)

Offline OldSchoolRanger

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Re: Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2012, 05:42:43 AM »
I can't tell from the picture, why don't you either ask the seller to send you a picture of the breech plug, or call H&R with the serial number to see when it was manufactured.  I know the earlier ones had 7/8" breech plugs, the later ones had a 5/8" breech plug, and there was a period where they used both sizes.

I believe Busta has the actual dates, for when they changed over.  Drop him a PM or just wait for him to post.  If your interested, I think there was a Huntsman in the classifieds for sale.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2012, 10:03:00 AM »
Hi,
 
I looked at the auction and it says it is a 26" barrel.  The 50 cal huntsman's with the 26" barrel have a 5/8" plug and the 24" 50 cals have the 7/8" BP.  I am guessing that would be the same on the Sidekick.   If you are buying an aftermarket carrierless plug they make them in both 5/8 and 7/8 inch sizing so it wouldn't matter which plug it has.  Good luck on your auction!
 
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Offline ford4wd08

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Re: Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2012, 10:45:27 AM »
anyone know where to get a breech plug tool, or what will work for the sidekick?


Offline ford4wd08

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Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2012, 04:24:45 PM »
Well I bought it, hopefully I'll have it by middle of next week.

Offline OldSchoolRanger

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Re: Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2012, 07:38:06 PM »
Congrats!  Welcome to the Handi family, don't let the Handi bug bite too hard, you don't know it, but your Sidekick is just the beginning. ;D
"You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts." - Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan

When you allow a lie to go unchallenged, it becomes the truth.

My quandary, I personally, don't think I have enough Handi's but, I know I have more Handi's than I really need or should have.

Offline Busta

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Re: Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2012, 09:32:17 PM »
Can anyone tell me the size of the breech plug on this sidekick ML? I am thinking about buying this off of gunbroker, and would probably get the upgrade of the MU plug.




TThanks  :)

If I could see more of the rifle, I could probably tell you just by looking at it. 24" or 26" barrel? Color of the ramrod?
 
The 2004 (first year) Sidekicks all (both 24" and 26") had 7/8" breech plugs, they still had the brass colored ramrods, but had the upgraded aluminum alloy Williams Fire Sights.
 
In 2005, the started using the blackened brass ramrods and 5/8" breech plugs.
 
All the Sidekick Serial Numbers started with BP. I have a 2004 Stainless Steel 24" NEF Sidekick, 7/8" breech plug, Serial# BP 8082XX, 2008 Stainless Steel H&R Sidekick, 5/8" breech plug, Serial# BP 8222XX. That is 14,000+ Sidekicks from first to last year, plus the rifles ahead of my 2004, and rifles after my 2008, in those model years.
 
I see your Serial# is BP 809054, which is only 800 higher than my 2004, and with yours being the blued version, I would guess it is either a 2004 or 2005. 2004 would have a 7/8" breech plug, 2005 would have a 5/8" breech plug.
 
Have you got a link where I could see other pictures?
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Offline ford4wd08

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Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2012, 11:38:06 PM »
Can anyone tell me the size of the breech plug on this sidekick ML? I am thinking about buying this off of gunbroker, and would probably get the upgrade of the MU plug.




TThanks  :)

If I could see more of the rifle, I could probably tell you just by looking at it. 24" or 26" barrel? Color of the ramrod?
 
The 2004 (first year) Sidekicks all (both 24" and 26") had 7/8" breech plugs, they still had the brass colored ramrods, but had the upgraded aluminum alloy Williams Fire Sights.
 
In 2005, the started using the blackened brass ramrods and 5/8" breech plugs.
 
All the Sidekick Serial Numbers started with BP. I have a 2004 Stainless Steel 24" NEF Sidekick, 7/8" breech plug, Serial# BP 8082XX, 2008 Stainless Steel H&R Sidekick, 5/8" breech plug, Serial# BP 8222XX. That is 14,000+ Sidekicks from first to last year, plus the rifles ahead of my 2004, and rifles after my 2008, in those model years.
 
I see your Serial# is BP 809054, which is only 800 higher than my 2004, and with yours being the blued version, I would guess it is either a 2004 or 2005. 2004 would have a 7/8" breech plug, 2005 would have a 5/8" breech plug.
 
Have you got a link where I could see other pictures?

Yes. Here is the link to the gunbroker auction.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=312343043

I should have the ml middle of next week.

Thanks for the help.

Offline Busta

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Re: Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2012, 08:24:57 PM »
If that is the original ramrod (blackened brass), I am going guess that is a 2005, and will likely have a 5/8" breech plug. If it is not the original ramrod and the brass (colored) one was replaced, it could be a 2004, which would have a 7/8" breech plug.
 
I noticed that the fiber in the front sight was broken, with half of it missing. It also looks as if the breech plug was painted with silver paint, but it may just be the picture as it is a bit blurry.
 
Good luck, I hope it is what you are after.
 
FYI, that rifle is not considered a "firearm", it is classified as an "antique" and would not need to be sent to a FFL. The seller can send directly to you, unless there is a state or local law that prohibits it. The Sidekick is a muzzleloader only, and has no other barrels that fit it.
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Offline ford4wd08

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Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2012, 03:26:56 AM »
If that is the original ramrod (blackened brass), I am going guess that is a 2005, and will likely have a 5/8" breech plug. If it is not the original ramrod and the brass (colored) one was replaced, it could be a 2004, which would have a 7/8" breech plug.
 
I noticed that the fiber in the front sight was broken, with half of it missing. It also looks as if the breech plug was painted with silver paint, but it may just be the picture as it is a bit blurry.
 
Good luck, I hope it is what you are after.
 
FYI, that rifle is not considered a "firearm", it is classified as an "antique" and would not need to be sent to a FFL. The seller can send directly to you, unless there is a state or local law that prohibits it. The Sidekick is a muzzleloader only, and has no other barrels that fit it.

He is sending it directly to me. I don't know why the made the post so confusing, only thing I can guess is he just copied all the info from another posting, or someone at their shop who put it online didn't know what they were doing.

I noticed the sight as well, I'm either going to upgrade to a scope soon or just replace the front sight. Thanks for the help.

Offline OldSchoolRanger

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Re: Size of Breech Plug
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2012, 05:37:08 AM »
If that is the original ramrod (blackened brass), I am going guess that is a 2005, and will likely have a 5/8" breech plug. If it is not the original ramrod and the brass (colored) one was replaced, it could be a 2004, which would have a 7/8" breech plug.
 
I noticed that the fiber in the front sight was broken, with half of it missing. It also looks as if the breech plug was painted with silver paint, but it may just be the picture as it is a bit blurry.
 
Good luck, I hope it is what you are after.
 
FYI, that rifle is not considered a "firearm", it is classified as an "antique" and would not need to be sent to a FFL. The seller can send directly to you, unless there is a state or local law that prohibits it. The Sidekick is a muzzleloader only, and has no other barrels that fit it.
Busta,
You are a wealth of information on the Sidekick.  I noticed the difference in the color of the Sidekick ramrods, but it never even occurred to me that they would be a indicator of the year it was made.  Learn something new everyday.  Thanks.
"You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts." - Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan

When you allow a lie to go unchallenged, it becomes the truth.

My quandary, I personally, don't think I have enough Handi's but, I know I have more Handi's than I really need or should have.