Seized Breech Plug

I went shooting the other day with new powder (Pyrodex) and new bullets (Barnes T-MZ). After three shots I tried to unscrew the breech plug, which I've never had to labor to get off, and it wouldn't come off. I went home and used tools to get the plug out. Now I see the plug is deformed and cracked a little on top. I've always used an anti-seize stick when cleaning my gun. Any ideas why this would have happened? Also, would it have ruined the interior threads on my gun when I took out the plug?

I think more than likely you didn't get the plug tight and got more blowback than normal. This plugged the threads and you ended up where you are.

As far as damaging the rifle, very unlikely. The barrel is bigger in diameter and has more meat there; it would be very hard to damage the threads in my estimation.

You don't state which ML you have, but one trick to keeping the barrel threads clean is to use a bottom tap that matches the threads of your rifle. It will push all the crud out into the barrel where it can be flushed out, and typically hand pressure is all that is needed to turn the tap.

FWIW, I like white lithium grease for my breach plugs. It works well, comes in a small handy tube, and is quite cheap; available at the auto parts house...

Thanks! It's a CVA Wolf rifle. I ordered a new breech plug, so I'll see what happens.

LAST EDITED ON Aug-07-14 AT 06:36AM (MST)[p]Use 2 wraps of white Teflon tape and you will never have a stuck breech plug again. Also your threads in your gun will be just about self cleaning. lightly oil the threads on your breech plug before putting on Teflon. Also lightly oil threads in your gun.

I am all for the Teflon, but I don't think I would use oil... oil will cook to carbon under the heat of the burning powder, and leave you with a carbon deposit. That will do nothing but serve to take up the space between the threads, and make the same mess as you have now. Grease is heavier and doesn't break down like oil does...

There is a reason the manufacturers call for breach plug GREASE, and why it is offered by several ML manufacturers.

just my $.02...

LAST EDITED ON Aug-07-14 AT 07:51PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-07-14 AT 07:46?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Aug-07-14 AT 07:40?PM (MST)

I have been using Teflon tape since 1984 on my traditional gun, I put it on the nipple as I thought I was going to twist it off the first time I tried taking it out.

I use the oil on the threads before I put the Teflon on, it is what I have always done, I have never had a stuck breech plug. If you use grease on the threads and have to push out a stuck load you will get powder in the threads and have to clean them out. My way you won't have to. I guarantee you your threads will be about as clean as when you installed the breech plug.

If you are uncomfortable use grease.

if you are uncomfortable don't use anything at all, it will work both ways.

The Teflon (white) works by sealing the threads. The Teflon is the lubricant.


If you are worried about the oil burning up get yourself some slip 2000 gun lube, it is good to 1250 deg F. I don't think you will find another oil that high. Also it is probably higher than grease (I would bet)

It is grease and anti seize that sticks the Breech Plugs.

Our methods are just different... your first post said to lightly oil the threads in your rifle. You do that and push a load out of the rifle, your threads are just as fouled as if you used grease. Period. I said I was all about the Teflon but not using the oil, as it would cook down and seize the breach plug.

Any time you get off into something not recommended by the manufacturer, you accept the liability for anything that goes wrong. That includes using oil where it is not specifically recommended, as I see it; Mobil One, Super Oil 2000 or any other.

And if you think lithium grease and anti-seize causes breach plugs to seize, I don't know what to say. When I use lithium grease the LAST thing I am is uncomfortable. As I said, it is a high temperature grease, and it works.

I will bow out now and keep my somewhat educated opinions to myself. But it will include using lithium grease and not using oil on a breach plug... ever. Not worth the risk.

LAST EDITED ON Aug-08-14 AT 00:36AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-07-14 AT 09:10?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Aug-07-14 AT 08:51?PM (MST)

You don't have to get mad at me and start lecturing me on what I should do to stay in accordance with the Mfg. spec. I thought I was talking to king B where did you come from.

The only people I have ever known to have a stuck breech plug is people that use grease or never seize

There is one other thing my gun does not drip oil, the slip 2000 is made to put on and then wipe the surface dry, so your analage that it would turn to carbon is mute. I use it in my barrel and every where else, and yes it is super 2000.

you do your thing and I'll do mine, don't waste my time with your garbage again.

LAST EDITED ON Aug-08-14 AT 01:25PM (MST)[p]Never got mad, and the LAST thing I did was lecture. Where did THAT come from? I started my last post by saying that our methods were different. That is all... I have no idea where you got the idea I was mad OR was lecturing. I simply stated what we both know: that if you use something different from what is recommended you are in uncharted territory and any number of things can happen. Would you not agree that is a statement of fact?

You have a chip on your shoulder. Nobody is holding a revolver to your head forcing you to read what I post... if you "waste your time", as you put it, you are doing it of your own free will...

I note that it took you three times editing your post before you were satisfied with it, and it took over three hours. Alcohol talking perhaps?

No offense taken; we shall just agree to disagree.

LAST EDITED ON Aug-08-14 AT 02:58PM (MST)[p]In the first place where do you come off saying that I only have one chance to get my post right and then insinuate that it is related to alcohol that it took 3 edits to get it right. Also that it took 3 hours between edits, don't you have anything better to do with you time.

Where do you get the god given right to set mfg. spec. that breech plug grease and never seize is the only two products that can be used to prepare a breech plug for installation into a barrel.

Have you been in this hobby for such a short period of time that you don't even know that Thompson Center sells a Teflon Product to prepare a breech plug for installation into the barrel and fully warrants that product with Black Powder or any of the substitutes. Besides with your god given ability for mfg. spec. maybe you can tell me what kind of gun I use.

One more time use Teflon the way I said to and when you pull your breech plug to push a load out you will not get any powder on the threads of the barrel. I have experience in this, what is your experience, hot air.

For me to respond to any more of your post you are going to have to come up with more than speculation and jabs. Maybe something more than personal opinions would be a good start.

I don't agree to disagree, your arguments are hollow. You appear to have no experience within the subject you are trying to discuss.

As far as I am concerned if you want to us just grease or never seize or Teflon and grease, etc. use it how you want. It is no skin off of my nose, it is your gun, and we all know you have to abide by mfg. spec. From what I can gather your only argument is putting oil on a breech plug before you put Teflon tape on it. Actually I not sure where you stand on Teflon but that is a personal opinion anyway.


seems like an awful shallow argument, you need a better oil

Oh look I only had to use one edit, that's only 1/2 a bottle of alcohol and I have a couple of edits left, more than enough for the other 1/2 bottle.