Breech plug tool modification

[AllenRead]

On the old H & R site, one of the guys came up with a modification to the breech plug tool that made it a lot easier to use.  They had a friend mill six flats on about ¼” of the tool so that a standard socket could be used.

Not having the tools or a friend that did, it took me a while to come up with a way to do this to my breech plug tool.

I bought a nut for a ¾” bolt and glued it on to the flat end of the tool with epoxy.  A little work was necessary to center it since the uncured epoxy is a little slippery.

After it cured, I clamped it into a pair of vise-grips and went to work with a flat file using the nut as a guide for the flats.

It took a bit of patience, but surprisingly little time to file the flats.

A screwdriver or fingers can still be used if the plug is not stuck, but now I can use a socket & ratchet if a little more force is necessary.

Thanks to the originator of this idea.  I canÂ’t remember if it was BustaÂ’yote or perklo.

[lik2hunt]

It was Busta, I have it saved to my hard drive. Tried to copy it to this post but the pics won't transfer sorry.

[perklo]

Here's a link to the pdf file I made based on all the different ideas on the old board for a "low-tech" improved tool. Some of the ideas were from other members and some of the info was mine...

http://perkloafm.com/pixs/hntsmn_breechtool2.pdf

Just another way to skin the same cat!!   :wink:

- perklo

[Busta]

Allen,

I just found this, sorry I didn't see it before. Perklo has another idea that seems to work fine too. I just like being able to use the tool either way, that way I don't have to carry a socket wrench in the field. It sure would be nice if H&R/NEF would do this at the factory.

Here is what I have saved, I hope the pics come up, as horrible as they are. :oops:

I had one of the tool men that I work with modify my breech plug tool yesterday. You know it's the little things in life that make you smile. All I can say is Yahoo! There is a better tool and it only took a few minutes to make it a very usable tool.

I was looking through some of my old tools in the garage for an old socket to TIG weld onto my breech plug tool when I found an old 13/16" spark plug socket. The socket was too small with the Six sided HEX pattern to fit over the BP tool and too big to weld on top.

Then it struck me, if I had a HEX pattern milled on the top half I could slide the 13/16" spark plug wrench down over the BP tool and still have my original tool for field use.

I showed this to my friend and he thought that it was an excellent idea. (I always have excellent ideas, its just that they don't always turn out as "excellent" as they started) Well this one is one of those times where it did.

He used a surface grinder instead of a mill, only took a couple minutes and I was smiling. ?He ground six flats .020 deep in a HEX pattern and it turned out perfect and very professional looking. With a little bluing you would think it came from the factory that way.

From the top of the tool it still looks almost round with each flat only being a little over 1/4" across and about 5/16" deep along the sides down half way to the middle of the hole. I had him align two of the flats with the hole in the BP tool and it worked out perfectly. By only going half way the socket stops there and leaves at least a 1/8" gap between the end of the socket and the end of the breech.

Now, with a short extension in the back of the spark plug socket I can get all the leverage I want while maintaining alignment with the breech plug, while clearing the scope. I like having total control of my tool, if you know what I mean.

So now the POS supplied tool can be modified into a very useable tool, that when a socket/small extension/ratchet is attached can turn a very long knuckle busting/frustrating job into a couple of seconds of pure joy.

The tool can still be used as supplied for field work if ever necessary without carrying a socket/extension/ratchet with you, and can be used very effectively at the range/home with said tools.

Did I mention that I was HAPPY with my new tool yet?

I love it when I can have my cake and eat it too!

Whew, I better go take a nap now, I haven't had a post that long in a long time!


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First I would like to apologize for the picture quality, I am still in the learning phase of digital and posting pictures.

I surface ground a hex pattern into the top of the tool so a 13/16" spark plug socket with short extension would clear the scope. This gives me good control with this set-up, and still allows me to use the tool as designed for field emergencies.

Tool with socket/extension/wrench in place.


Top of tool.


Side of tool.

[DanielWGriggs]

btt

[tscott]

It took me about 3 seconds to glue that goofy breechplug tool into a socket and be done with it, after getting my "fitted" Huntsman barrel,
some years ago. Yes I had to refit it myself, after returning. I keep my
Huntsman and sb2 frame, because I have done extensive alterations, from stock to latch to freeze solution.
I'm quite pleased with accuracy now. With my work.
Apparently NEF knows the pratfalls of the goofy plug, but folks keep buying.
I'll bet if NEF took that plug to the local middle school, and plopped it down on a desk, and ask the 8th graders in a shop class to come up with a more functional design... they'd get numerous better solutions.
The reason for no change, after all this time is NEF's assessment that folks will continue to support sub par labor and quality control, as well as
poor design of some parts. It's about price!