stuck under lug pin...

[Ludo Van den Bussche]

I own a nice Kentucky with pinned barrel. After two years I want to remove the barrel because the gun got really wet. I'd like to check the underside of the barrel for rust.The largest pin at the breech came out fine. The pin in the middle came out but is slightly bent. I guess the alignment with stock and under lug was a bit wrong. The problem is at the front. The first pin is stuck. I can only see it on one side of the stock. I fear it went in on one side of the stock - went through the under lug (probably badly aligned with the holes in the stock ??) and then got astray into the stock without appearing in the intended hole in the fore stock... I am at a loss how to solve this ... how can I remove this pin without breaking or buggering up the really nice super premium stock??? Or should I leave pin and barrel in place and risk a rusting barrel Or can I eventually prevent rust in any other way??

[smylee grouch]

As a last resort I would cut in to the lug from the ramrod grove and try to cut the pin on both sides of the lug. Might sound extreme so some other options might be considered first.

[45-110]

i would try most anything to get a preservative to trickle down the outside of the barrel into the channel before i chanced splintering your stock. or just don't worry about it as most original barrels where seldom removed by their original owners who lack the tools to do so.
kw

[Mike Brooks]

Your barrel isn't going to rust away in your lifetime because it got wet in the barrel channel.

[Ky-Flinter]

I would be reluctant to apply oil or other rust preventative liquid in a quantity that would run down under the barrel.  I think that would do more damage the wood, than having rust on the barrel.

If you can only see one end of the pin, and I assume the end of the pin is flush with the wood surface, how do you know it is stuck, or how stuck it is?  Crazy thought here, get one of those really strong rare earth magnets and wiggle the barrel a little while applying the magnet?  Actually, the idea Smylee had is the only way I can think of to get the barrel out.

Once you have the barrel out, file slots in the lugs so the wood can move a little.

-Ron

[Eric Krewson]

I broke two drill bits off in the lug while drilling a pin hole in a trigger guard, one from each side. Someone here suggest I buy a 1/16" carbide tipped bit, put it in the hole and let it run with only the weight of the drill pushing down. After about 10 minutes I started seeing metal coming back out of the hole then pop, I was through and could get my trigger guard back out.

[Bigmon]

Under your circumastances I'd just put the gun back together and enjoy it.  It will dry out and it will not rust thru the barrel.  Won't hurt a thing in your life time?

[redheart]

You could spray Ballistol between the wood and the barrel. It's good for the wood and will stop any rust.

[Turtle]

 I have coated the barrel channel and barrel with fluid film for years. I recently pulled a barrel on a 20+ year build and the wood in the channel was still solid. Fluid film is lanolin based and doesn't seem to hurt anything--it's actually good for leather.

[P.W.Berkuta]

If it was me and I had a fear of rusting the bottom of the barrel I would try to remove the pin as best as I can with the least amount of damage to the stock.
I would do this: from the side of the stock where the pin enters I would make a small hole saw from a small tube (arrow shaft, hobby tubing or some other small hollow tube) and cut a plug out around the pin then grab the pin with needle nose pliers and pull it out. I would then make a wooden plug and glue it in. Then I would drill the pin hole correctly so it is on center and through both sides of the stock. Stain the plug to match the rest of the wood AS BEST AS I CAN and be done with it. Or you can do as others have said and live with it as is

[Robby]

Not being able to remove the barrel would be something I could not live with and I'd figure something out, guaranteed. If you can see the pin you can get a punch on it, so drive it out keeping an eye on the off side to see if it is indeed in misdirection to the existing hole. Tough to make judgmental calls without the rifle in hand and being able to read the subtlies, but that pin would come out. Then I would address the hole in the lug as already suggested.
Robby

[oldtravler61]

  Follow Mike Brooks advice. Have a small squirrel rifle I built years ago. It got wet alot in the rain. Just wiped it off. Then one of my more experienced friends said I better take it apart. Well we did. Not enough rust to worry about an no pitting.
  The gun was 25 years old when I took the barrel out. Why take a chance of breaking the forestock. Jmho.  Oldtravler

[Ludo Van den Bussche]

Thank you all for your advise! I finally got the pin out and could remove the barrel. Lucky me - no rust!
The under lug holes were very small and rough. I smoothed that out and straightened the barrel pins.
The stuck pin was so bent that it totally missed  the hole on one side of the stock. Therefore I got a small chip out of that side of the stock. I repaired that too. Now I can remove the pins more easily.
The under side of the barrel is coated and protected. So I wont have to remove it any time soon - or ever again! Just a few more coats of stain on the repaired (little) chip and the gun is better than before.

[Mike Brooks]

You need to slot those lugs. Your gun will shoot better.

[Sidelock]

Glad you got it out - something to try in the future with this issue.  I have had luck on repairs/restorations with this problem by putting the gun in a chest freezer or setting it out side on a really cold night.  The cold seems to relax the stress enough to allow the pin to be removed.  It doesn't work every time but it is worth a try.   If it doesn't work, you are not out anything, then go on to those other suggestions.

[Scota4570]

"The pin was bent..."  Do not use nails for pins.

  Get some music wire for pins. It will not bend. K&S sells it via hobby shops or Ace hardware.  But it direct if you need to.  No point is messing up a rifle over a nickels work of pin material.    Round both ends so you don't bust out the wood.