Removing a stuborn breech plug

[LynnC]

Its an H and A underhammer.  Plug is round, sticks out about 5/8", has a taper pin hole cross drilled and a screwdriver slot at rear.  Aint comming out with a screw driver!  Trying to turn it out with a pin thru the taper pin hole.  Trying to shock it loose at the cross pin and tapping with a brass hammer on plug rear.
Tried a long soak in penetrating oil - no luck.  Longer soak - no luck.
Tried heating the plug alone then cooling plug and tried to unscrew - no luck.  More soak.
Tried heating barrel breech and again no luck.
Soaking again.......Suggestions?  Got to be a.better way...

[dannybb55]

Make sure that the threads trn the way that you think they do.

[LynnC]

It did turn out! - Finally . Regular RH thread

I made the special tool I should made in the first place

Wasted hours trying to save the thirty minutes it took to make the special wrench
Hey I'm still happy - I got the darn thing out without damage.  Thanks anyway........Lynn

[Ben I. Voss]

Lynn,  what's the wrench like? I recently acquired an H & A underhammer and was wondering about taking it apart (not that I need to right away, but...) Mine has 3 set screws holding it into the receiver instead of a tapered pin. I took the screws out and the breech plug is stuck tight in the receiver - guess i need to soak it in penetrating oil. When I get barrel/plug separated from the action then I'll need a wrench to remove the plug. Could you describe what you made for a wrench or maybe post a photo? Thanks  -  Ben

[LynnC]

I made the wrench from 3/8 x 1 x 18 long hot rolled steel.  Drilled 1/4 hole across the bar and a 5/8 thru. (Plug was 5/8 dia.    Slipped wrench over the plug and pinned it with the taper pin.  With 18" handle it didn't take much effort to break loose.

With a set screw mounting system maybe you could drill and tap your wrench for a set screw.  Hard to say without seeing the plug but I bet it would work........Lynn

[Ben I. Voss]

Thanks Lynn. Sounds worth a try!    Ben