Author Topic: Older .45 cal Huntsman. (Read 1794 times)

bjgolfnut · « **on:** February 28, 2005, 10:47:57 AM »

Hey,
Picked up a older Huntsman in .45 cal. Barrel is 26" and it has the same type of collaspable ramrod. Breech Plug is completly different, you just put a percussion cap on the nipple. Nipple screws out and you need some type of tool that fits into two holes in plug. Does anyone own a Huntsman like this or do you have any info on it. Serial # AJ305487. Any help would be appreciated.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2005, 12:29:42 PM »

I have never had one bjgolfnut but have read that the older style came in 2 variations. One in which the breechplug screwed in and one that was simply a press fit with a rubber o-ring. I have read that the design with the press in breechplug led to H&R discontinuing ML's years ago. If They opened on firing the breechplug would fly backwards and strike the shooter. I think if yours is the older screw in style you may be OK....<><.... :grin:

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2005, 05:11:13 PM »

Hey MSRP,
I am NYPD RET. I am pretty sure that this one is a screw in, I am thinking that because of the two small holes on either side of the nipple. I believe their must be some type of Breech Plug tool that fits into the two holes and then you screw it out. Will try to make up something tomorrow with some nails and lockjaw pliers and see what happends. The way this snow is coming down, don't believe I will be working. Will let you know what happends.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2005, 03:41:31 AM »

OK bjgolfnut, nice to have another retired LEO onboard. Keep us advised. I am sure someone here has another of those and can shed some light and hopefully some hints on breechplug removal....<><.... :grin:

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2005, 02:09:24 PM »

yes i have had both old model the push in plug and your screw in plug .....ck GUNPARTS CORP .COM ,4 A TOOL i havent seen one in a long time but that was where i got mine years ago.....ill tell you now you are wasting your time on the breech plug sorry but the tool wont help......the ones i had bent preety easy.......take two allen wrenches that are long.........put in the 2 holes on the sides of nipple......cut a piece of 1/4 in steel plate about a inch wide and 2 in long.......drill 2 holes 4 the allen wrenchs to fit through..........put the steel close to the breech plug andput a long swrewdriver inbetween the allen wrenchs to remove.......righty//tighty.....lefty looosee....im betting on a torch to heat it up before it will come out ......but i wouldnt .......i hope you understood my IMPROVISED TOOL INSTRUCTION....IF NOT PM ME AND ILL GIVE YOU MY PHONE #......JB

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2005, 02:33:57 PM »

Hey Grabber,
Thanks for the info. Will try the allen wrench trick. Would you have any idea what the max load I could shot. Would like to use 777 ffg, around 65 70 grains under a No Excuse 460? What do you think? Thanks for any help you can give me.

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2005, 04:16:44 PM »

THE 58 I USED 90 GR RS LOOSE.....BUT IN THE 45 I SHOT 85 GR RS LOOSE......I THINK 100 GR. WOULD BE MAX......BUT IM NOT SURE .....I FOUND BALLS WAS ABOUT ALL I COULD SHOOT GOOD... BUT THE LEE TARGET BULLET WAS FAIR....BUT I HAD TO GO TO 70 GR. I NEVER COULD GET A SLOW TWIST TO SHOOT BULLETS VERY GOOD.....I KEPT PIPE CLEANERS AROUND TO KEEP THE NIPPLES CLEAN THEY GET DIRTY AND YOU WILL KNOW IT....... JB

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2005, 11:10:22 AM »

Hey Grabber,
Found out that the serial # means it was manufactured in 1972. They must have had a lot of trouble with the plug because the next year, they came out with the press fit. I am going to make up something like you said. Still soaking with Break-Free CLP, will try boiling water after that. The last owner did not remove the plug so it must be in their pretty good. Will let you know how I make out. Thanks for your help.

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2005, 12:19:15 PM »

i think it was the other way the push plug then the threaded but im not 4 sure.......i might have a wrench but i havent seen it 4 a while......did you ch gun parts

???i dont even care if the plugs come out i just clean the CRAPout them in the bathtub in HOT HOT water....even my new huntsman i got used and got a new tool 4 it i dont think it will come out either.....but i built a lot of these that shot a primer years ago and they <breech plugs>were not removable and never had any problems....but it wound be easier to clean with them out.........jb..........good luck.....

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2005, 01:41:16 PM »

Hey Grabber,
I have a new Huntsman also. I wrap the plug will Teflon tape and them grease, using Slick 50 right now, seems to work since I have gotten the plug out every time. If I don't get the plug out, will do what you said and just clean it well after shooting. We have about a foot of Snow on the ground right now so no going to the range yet, maybe next week. Will let you know how she shoots. Have a great evening.

Hillbilly Jim · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2005, 09:34:32 AM »

I have both kinds of 45's and a 58 all shoot well with pyrodex and Cleanshot. Getting a screw in plug out is a bitch, good luck. There is a fellow in Ala,[ I think] who makes a tool to take them out for about 20 bucks.
If I can find is telephone no I will post it.
I have never had any problem with the push in kind. Never shoot real heavy loads 80 grain Max. Took a deer a few years ago. lung shot and deer ran 35 yards.
Good Luck Hillbilly Jim

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2005, 11:27:09 AM »

Hey JIM,
Thanks for the post. I am going to build a tool like Grabber said with the allen wrenchs and see what happends. Hopefully soaking in boiling water and a couple of days of Break-Free will free it up enough for me to remove it and clean everything up. If not, will do the best I can and fire away. Have some Pyrodex P and 777 ffg for power and, some No Excuse 460's and Lee R.E.A.L. MZ bullets to try out. Will post if I get the plug out and let you know how she shoots. Thanks again for answering my question.

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2005, 07:41:32 AM »

Hey,
The operation was a success. Soaked plug overnight in Break-free, Got a pot of water boiling and placed breech area in it for about 20 minutes. Had cleaned out the two holes and placed two small pieces of steel into them, locked down in a vise and applied pressue with a needle nose lockjaw plier. Was just about to give up when SNAP and the plug moved. Once it started turning it came right out, very corroded inside and some rust. Soaking everything and will reinstall plug with teflon tape and Slick 50 One grease.
Thanks to all for your ideas, They Worked. Will let you know how this old Huntsman shoots if it warms up next week. Still 10" of snow on the ground but if the sun comes out, will go to the range.

Hillbilly Jim · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2005, 03:36:55 PM »

Bruce
Glad to hear you got the plug out. Good luck in shooting
Hillbilly Jim

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2005, 04:02:10 PM »

Thanks Jim,
It was a lot of work but if the Huntsman shoots like I hope it will, it will be worth it.

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2005, 06:54:26 PM »

I LOVE IT WHEN IM WRONG.......SINCE I WAS WRONG ON THE PLUG COMING OUT .....LET ME GET EVEN......I BET IT SHOOTS GOOD WITH 90 GR LOOSE RS AND A 440 ROUND BALL........LET US KNOW......OH BUY THE WAY I HAVE A 440 ROUND BALL MOLD ID SELL if you need one.......im RREEAALLYY GLAD IT CAME OUT....JB....PS ILL BE LOOKING 4 THAT RANGE REPORT........IM GOING FISHIN SAT AND SHOOTIN SUN ITS GOING TO BE 70 DEG.....JB

mangulator · « **Reply #16 on:** March 04, 2005, 07:54:04 PM »

bjgolfnut, you need to get to the range now and give us a report.. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

bjgolfnut · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2005, 02:57:06 AM »

Hey Guys,
I must admit that I never shot Round Balls but it looks like I might out of this gun. Like those big conicals, 460 to 495's. The weather here is suppose to warm up to lower 40's on Monday so maybe I can get to the range and do some shooting. JB, you mention RS and I have some Pyrodex P and 777 ffg on hand. Will try them both with the No Excuse 460's. Will send you a PM about the mold, have a friend who cast his own and I know he would help me out if I got a mold. 70 and going fishing, up here maybe Ice fishing. Once again I want to thank all of you for the help and ideas, I am going to keep this MZ as is, will try and get a extra breech plug and nipple etc. from Numrich Arms but thats about it. I also have a 2 year old Huntsman in .50 cal with a Redfield 1.5 x 6 widefield mounted on it that is a great shooter.

Walleye Magnet · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2005, 01:39:13 PM »

bjgolfnut,
Hubbards Outdoor Products makes replacement breach plugs, ramrods and nipples. Ben even makes a 209 replacement nipple that doesn't require any modifications to your gun. I have order all of them and the workmanship is fantastic and shipping is excellent.

hubbardsoutdoorproducts.com
205-665-0444

Walleye Magnet

kenbev · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2005, 02:15:19 PM »

I have a 45 caliber and I think it has the press in type plug. How do you get it out. I just bought it and don't know anything about it...

MSP Ret · « **Reply #20 on:** March 11, 2005, 02:24:02 PM »

Ken, I don't have one but I would think if it was the press model in you could just open the action and push or tap it out with a ram rod or cleaning rod....<><.... :grin:

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #21 on:** March 11, 2005, 08:42:11 PM »

KENBEV if your brech plug has 2 small holes ,<one on each side of the nipple> its a screw in plug....if no holes just a nipple then its a push in plug with ...o...rings and it just pushes out.........please remeber that if you have a misfire that IF IF YOU WERE TO OPEN THE ACTION AND THE GUN WENT OFF THAT THE BRECH PLUG WOULD HIT YOU RIGHT IN THE FACE,,,,,,,,,DO I NEED TO REPEAT THAT i didnt think so ....if the gun fails to fire then just point in safe derection and wait.......the key problem i had wiTh these was keeping the nipple clean,i used PIPE CLEANERS OFTEN......JB

Walleye Magnet · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2005, 04:22:23 AM »

kenbev,
I use an aluminum 12 gauge cleaning rod and gently taped the plug out. If you keep it clean after shooting you shouldnt have any problems with it. You can get replacement o-rings and breech plug from Hubbards Outdoor Products posted above.
Walleye Magnet

gone-hunting · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2005, 04:24:52 AM »

Quote from: Walleye Magnet

bjgolfnut,
Hubbard’s Outdoor Products makes replacement breach plugs, ramrods and nipples. Ben even makes a 209 replacement nipple that doesn't require any modifications to your gun. I have order all of them and the workmanship is fantastic and shipping is excellent.

hubbardsoutdoorproducts.com
205-665-0444

Walleye Magnet

Thanks Walleye Magnet, I needed a ram rod and ordered one yesterday from him. He does have replacement breach plugs, etc, but they are not listed on his web site. Speaking with him by telephone and they are availiable.

kenbev · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2005, 07:40:53 AM »

Thanks for all the info. As I said, I just bought the gun and want to clean erveything before I try to shoot it...