Tang Problem

[Bruce]

     In the process of fitting the tang to the wrist of the stock I over-bent it and in taking some of the bend out the tang cracked almost off.  The location of the crack is at the juncture of the breech plug bolster and tang root.  So my question is: can I just order a new breech plug from Chambers or Track of the Wolf and install it?  Or is the process more complicated? 

[J. Talbert]

You can certainly replace the breechplug, but that's not necessarily the simplest fix.  Depending on whether you've done any filing/shaping on the first tang, and whether or not you've already inlet it into the wood, you might want to see if someone can tig weld the crack.

If you haven't begun to inlet it, I'd probably go with replacing it.  Have you installed a breech plug before?  It will require some time to fit it properly, so that it is seated properly both inside and out.

I doubt that Chambers would have a breechplug.  They purchase their barrels with a breechplug already fitted.

Don't worry, your problem is definitely fixable.

Jeff







Good luck

[jwh1947]

I concur.  Weld it and refile it.  Once when I was without a welder, I took a similar job to an Amishman nearby.  He stopped what he was doing on a carriage, did the weld, and charged me $1.00.   I offered to pay more and he said, "No, wouldn't be fair."  Filing off the slag took longer.

[Pete Allan]

I fix sm cracks and pits all the time and just use a MIG welder -- it's not a problem at all.
Mig welds come out soft as can be and with no slag

[Bruce]

Thanks.