I suppose one of these days I will easy-out that screw. As long as the left side of that drum remains clear -- which it does with my water power-flushes (and) I continue to use fine powders like 777 FFF that work it's way underneath the nipple 100% of the time, then there's no need to be concerned about the right side of that drum. It's probably better-off this way anyways -- seeing that it no longer has the empty space to collect moisture & cause hang/misfires when wet outdoors.

Green Mountain barrels areliving proof that a drum that sizeis not even needed. The directnipple fireto the barrel route is what all percussion MLsshould have.