breech plug question

[jcovais]

hi I'm building a chambers Kit with a rice barrel.    its my first build, so i'm not sure whats normal .    When i removed the breech plug it was extremely hard to do to the point of banging the wrench with a hammer to get it to move..... when i reinstalled it someone recommended putting some anti seize lube so it would be easier next time which i did....upon reinstall i cant get that last 16th of an inch to get the lines to match up no matter how hard i try...i didn't think i was that weak...lol  is it supposed to be this hard?

[P.W.Berkuta]

If it was that hard removing it then it will be that hard to reinstall -- BUT be certin that you are not clamping the barrel in the vise where the internal threads are stay back from this area about 1 inch or more or you will be collapsing the internal threads onto the plug. First I would remove the plug again and give both areas a good cleaning with a brush & solvent there maybe a metal chip in there also if you put a bit too much anti-seize it will ooze out and become a mess no matter how hard you try to remove the squeeze out.

[JDK]

Yes, check for galled threads.  I knock off the sharp tips of the threads left by the die with a flat file.

They really serve no purpose in sealing the plug and they are fragile and tend to separate when over torqued and promote galling.

If you have the means to do the same in the breech hole, much the better.

Enjoy, J.D.

[Ky-Flinter]

jcovais,

Rice is notorious for having very tight breech plugs.  Another tip to add to above, when you put the barrel in the vice, position it so that you are pushing down on the wrench.  I actually lifted my bench off the floor once.... but I'm older now and have a heavier bench 

-Ron

[jcovais]

Thanks for the info guys.....I cleaned it and none of the threads are galled....YET...lol Ron it's nice to know they are known for this...lol  they must either be installed by machine or a 20 yr old......maybe i just need a bigger wrench....I have a 10" crescent......maybe try a 15 for more leverage 

[Ky-Flinter]

I use a 10" Cresent wrench..... with a 30"piece of pipe slipped over the handle.  With that set up, Rice plugs come loose pretty easily.

-Ron

[Acer Saccharum]

Hold the barrel in a GOOD vise with brass shims over the jaws to keep the barrel from getting scuffed.

[moleeyes36]

Take a few minutes to read through this thread, there is some very good information in it on dealing with stubborn breech plugs.  http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=34631.0

Mole Eyes

[bob in the woods]

10 inches just isn't enough leverage . My breach plug "wrench" is around 24 in or so. I made it myself from a piece of pipe and a length of 1/2 in sq bar   With an added length of pipe on your crescent wrench, you should be able to smoothly torque your breach plug into place.

[frogwalking]

Adjust  and locate the wrench jaws so they don't extend beyond the top of your breechplug tang to prevent pressing an indentation into the sides where it will show on your finished tang.  I position my wrench so the end of the jaws are a little bit short of the top surface of the tang.  I also use an antique water pump or monkey wrench.  It has wider jaws and is big enough to handle most breechplugs.