underhammer plug

[frenchman]

just bought a underhammer and would like to take off the plug and it is VEEEEERY tight i tried a bit of heat from propane torch soooo i much heat can i give it.

[blunderbuss]

I've taken plugs out of all sorts of guns using heat put the barrel in a vise and began to heat around the outside of where the plug is  trying the wrench on the plug every few seconds, at one point the breech will swell before the plug starts to and she'll slip loose. Don't worry about the heat on the breech with a propane torch. Another hint (not that I have ever known any one who's done this) make sure the gun hasn't got a load of some kind in it.

[frenchman]

thank blunderbuss   oh yes i made sure she was clean,
i will let it soak for the night than go after it tomorrow
so here is the picture

[smokinbuck]

Frenchman,
On mine, if I am saving the plug, I fit a rod into the drift pin hole to get torgue on the plug, make certain it is a snug fit or you will distort the hole. You'll never get it out using the slot. The other thing to do is file flats on 2 sides of the plg in order to use a good size crescent wrench.
Mark

[frenchman]

  plug is out.
  heat and 2 foot pipe wrench

[frenchman]

will be making a new plug, i have to tighten the old one so much to get it straight with the barrel.

[Daryl]

will be making a new plug, i have to tighten the old one so much to get it straight with the barrel.

HUH? to get it straight? The thread are so loose that it want's to remain crooked? Yes- make anew plug and check the threads in the barrel - something is amiss, I think.

[frenchman]

sorry Daryl i wasn't clear,
 i tend to mix my french expressions even when i write , it has a tendency of coming out, but i am doing my best.  The threads are OK but i must tighten the plug to much to aligned the top of the barrel with the top of the action. Maybe just trim the plug but i do not have any measurement

[Daryl]

Now I understand. You'll have to see if the inside 'contact' area is tapered or flat and work accordingly.

[frenchman]

 Hi Daryl,
It looks flat so will try to make a new plug , the one on the gun has a small taper, since i would like to take the pin out and ad the Allen screws instead, it's not like this gun was an antique,  it's worth the time to fixe. It will make a fine shooter, if everything adds up. I may make a barrel for it and make a 200 yards  shooter  that to would be fun. While  i am on the subject of rebuilding, somewhere i saw a tool for fixing the crown don't seem to be able to find it. I polished it,  but a think it would need to be crowned.
Thanks

[smokinbuck]

Crowning the muzzle is thae easiest part of what you are doing. Take a piece of emery cloth, place it on the muzzle and push on it with your thumb while you are twisting your thumb. It doesn't take a lot of pressure.
Mark