P53 Breech Plug removal

[JVP]

This is a brief outline on how to remove a breech plug from a reproduction P53 rifle musket. I have not been able to find a good resource to guide me through the plug removal but have seen many questions asked "how to". I hope this helps.

 

[johan_steele]

My advice… if you don't know what you're doing don't. Just don't.

You need a cold chisel to mark the barrel and plug alignment, you need the proper tools etc. done wrong you can permanently mess things up.

 

[JVP]

The reproduction has the index markings on the barrel and plug. You are correct about having the proper tools. Just as disastrous as doing it wrong is live firing a musket if the barrel has been compromised. My bore camera did not do an adequate job of inspecting the barrel and I wanted a better look before trying to fire it again. When I took the plug out, I determined I did not want to live fire it again, rendering it to the world of "reenacting only".

Your advice is sound.

 

[52ndFandS]

It begs the question; why are you this?

I'm all about DIY but generally speaking things that eject any amount of explore material around my head I tend to take to a professional.

 

[VMI88]

If you want to restore the rifle to live firing condition you could have the barrel relined. Search for Robert Hoyt - he's probably the best person doing this type of work. It's really not that expensive and your bore will be better than new. He can put original-type progressive depth rifling in for you.

 

[JVP]

If you want to restore the rifle to live firing condition you could have the barrel relined. Search for Robert Hoyt - he's probably the best person doing this type of work. It's really not that expensive and your bore will be better than new. He can put original-type progressive depth rifling in for you.

Thank you. I was not aware of him and just looked him up. I will definitely consider it.

 

[JVP]

It begs the question; why are you this?

I'm all about DIY but generally speaking things that eject any amount of explore material around my head I tend to take to a professional.

The quest for knowledge is important to me. Due to the issue in loading the rifle, it needed a closer inspection before I continued to live fire it. I am glad I did due to the damage to the barrel interior. It cost me nothing but time and I gained a lot of experience in doing this. Others have posed the same question on several different boards. I detailed what I did so that others may see and decide for them selves. I don't advocate doing anything anyone is not comfortable in doing. I also advocate in sharing knowledge so people can make informed decisions.

 

[Old Soldier]

If you want to restore the rifle to live firing condition you could have the barrel relined. Search for Robert Hoyt - he's probably the best person doing this type of work. It's really not that expensive and your bore will be better than new. He can put original-type progressive depth rifling in for you.

Don't fiddle with the barrel and plug is good advice. Most original P53s already have the barrel and plug marked on the top of the spline. They were fitted to be more or less permanent - only the armorer had the tools to do it. I could do that quite easily as my guns are display only - but I don't anyway.

Proofing is tied to the plug/barrel fit too. Barrels are for armorers - no matter how old the rifle is. It is NOT a DIY project.

 

[gary]

Two most important things about removing the breech plug:

1) Vise jaws that fit. I have numerous aluminium jaws that fit into my barrel vise (school project; but it's cheaper to buy one from Brownells). They are dusted with resin to ensure stickiness and no shifting. Barrel should be mounted such that the jaws clamp as close to the breech plug as possible and there must be clearance for the wrench. You don't want to tweak the barrel.
2) Wrench. We had to machine ours. You can buy one and Rice Barrel Co. makes jaws for octagon barrels and a special adapter for breech plugs. Sometimes the wrench is too short and you need a cheater bar (pipe) for more leverage. BTW, the most difficult (modern) barrel receiver for me was an AR-15 type action. I'm jumping up and down (150 lbs) and can't budge it. I asked a taller classmate (more leverage) and he couldn't either. He had to enlist a classmate (over 250 lbs) and together they got the barrel off.

On black powder it's not big thing but be aware that some like Lyman Great Plains has a breechplug that is separate from the tang. Look for them and the wrench needs to go on the plug.

BTW, I'd rather have the barrel relined by Bobby Hoyt.