Sorry to hear about your experience Slugman. Plastic has no place on any blackpowder gun especially in very cold weather. I started out with a CVA and I suppose its decomposing somewhere very nicely the POS. I only became aware of what a real Muzzleloader was when I purchased my White Super 91 that was sweet . COmpany is having financial difficulties now and I wouldn't purchase another. I have always loved that Lyman Great Plains Rifle though and I doubt anything will break on that. Good Choice.