Stuck breech plug, heat the barrel or the plug?

[lentuk]

Have a stuck breech plug in an old underhammer barrel that I need to remove, want to apply heat but don't know where to apply it, the barrel breech or the plug?
Also on reassembly do you recommend an aluminum type anti-seize?
Thank you.

[Don Stith]

Before heating anything----make sure there is not an old load in the barrel. A good friend developed a hole in the wall from neglecting that precaution.

[Mike Brooks]

Before heating anything----make sure there is not an old load in the barrel. A good friend developed a hole in the wall from neglecting that precaution.

I did that once....

[Joe S.]

Before heating anything----make sure there is not an old load in the barrel. A good friend developed a hole in the wall from neglecting that precaution.

Just a hole in the wall if your lucky,wow

[Longknife]

THE BARREL-----

[Dave B]

Have you removed the nipple? It may be engaging the breach plug and preventing removal. A good soaking with a penetrating oil is a good idea as well. I like using Kroil for soaking old screws before attempting removal. Make sure you vice jaws are not over the top of the area where the breach plug is threaded in. I can vouch for the check the barrel for being loaded.  I have been collecting old original barrels for some time now and have found two of them had loads still in them. Good luck

[Daryl]

Acetone and Kerosene, 50:50, is about double the penetrant that Kroil is for loosening stuck threads.

[moleeyes36]

Acetone and Kerosene, 50:50, is about double the penetrant that Kroil is for loosening stuck threads.

Daryl, that's good to know.  I hadn't heard of it before.  Are you aware of any problems mixing some of that up and keeping in on hand sealed in a screw top can?  Thanks.

Mole Eyes

[lentuk]

How about the anti-seize?

[Smoketown]

Acetone and ATF is said to work well also ... Easier to find than kerosene.   

Cheers,
Smoketown

[thimble rig]

Plug up the nipple.Pour youre penetrating oil down the barrel and let it soak a couple of days.Then take youre nipple out and see if you can get the breech plug out.Rice barrels sells a good breech plug wrench,And he also sells a really good octagon shaped set of vise jaw pads to clamp youre barrel in.That helps out a heck of a lot it wont let the barrel slip in the vise and mare the finish on the barrel.

[54ball]

 Sometimes heat and torque is not enough. Sometimes you need a strike like a well thought out hammer blow to break things loose. It's the same concept with an impact wrench, pile driver or hammer drill.

 This can be heavy mechanical work and sometimes it's a mixture of finesse and brute force. make sure your work is secured and the tools fit. A slip under high heat or a sharp blow can be disastrous.