Problem with Thomson center
 

Hi guys,

A friend of mine has a Thompson center Renegade that has some cleaning items stuck down the barrel. He is not sure if the breech plug is removable or what may be the best method to clear this out. It is also quite possible that there may be a load still in the barrel, it is unknown.

I shoot a Knight and just unscrew the breech plug, but I'm not familiar with this rifle. Any ideas??

Thanks,
Cybersniper

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

Sorry cybersniper

We would have to know EXACTLY what is lodged in the barrel to help remove it. We have no lights or tools at our disposal here.

I suggest your friend soak the bore with water -- close the hammer onto a tire valve cap over the nipple -- encase the rifle and take it to a gunsmith. Don't take any chances... especially metal to metal screw-in if powder & bullet may be present. Better safe than sorry.. it won't cost much to have the clog removed.

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

It appears to be a cleaning jag and some patches.

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

Is the breech plug removable?

Thanks

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

NO, it is not. I own a Renagade. He is going to have to try and get it out the front

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

If there is a possibility of a load being in the rifle he has a couple of choices. He can soak the barrel with water to kill the charge, and then take it to a gunsmith.

The other thing he might want to try is a Co2 charge remover. Many times that might be able to blow the thing out of the barrel and the charge if there is one. I would still water the barrel and make sure the charge is killed before I use the Co2 remover.

The other thing I have heard of people doing is rigging a nipple to a air compressor and then with a lot of air pressure built up, blow the barrel clean that way. Again, if it might be loaded water the charge. Never take a chance with a charge in the barrel. It does not take much to set them off and in his case it would be in a dangerous situation....

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

After making sure there is no charge or that the charge has been soaked to de activate the powder I would try the Co2 discharger . If this doesnt work pour some "Liquid Draino" down the barrel and leave it set for a couple of hours. This should dissolve the cleaning cloth and you should be able to tap the muzzle on a table and the jag should fall out. The draino won't hurt the steel, but it will eat up any thing organic like skin, wood and varnish. Be extremely carefull you dont get it in your eyes. I would not try the Co2 after I put draino down as if it blows free it could spray in your eyes.

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

Thanks for the help guys, I'll pass it on.

Cyber

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

The Co2 discharger is for unloading your muzzleloader without having to fire your gun and dirty the barrel at the end of the day. I don't think most people who use one soak the breach in water before using it.
I have not used one, but I heard it is very effective, and it makes a distinctive "bloop" when it spits the dry charge and ball out of the barrel. As in 100% of the time, I would make sure the barrel is pointed in a safe direction (preferably a backstop) when using it.

C. Davis

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

We have a TC Renegade and a Hawken. TC made special fittings to fit over the breach plug and remove them. It takes a pretty good wrench on some of them, but they are made to fit and do not damage to the plug. Have used them on both my Renegade and a couple of Hawkens. I am not sure if this item is still available, but they were back in the days I got mine.

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

Vern, I know the tool you're talking about. I haven't seen them in sometime . I went to T/C's site and don't see it listed there.I went to a 2004 Midsouth catalog and none are listed there either. Apparently T/C has dropped them. They do work well. I have one that we pulled the breech plug out of a Custom T/C Hawkens .It sure made the job easier.

My suggestion would be for Cybersniper's friend to contact T/C and see what they suggest doing. T/C has a lifetime warranty.He sure wouldn't want to ship it if there's any possibility of a loaded round in it.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

This is only a suggestion. use a ramrod tosee if you can determine if there is a charge in the rifle. Measure how far the ramrod goes down the bore, then place the ramrod on the outside of the barrel to give you an idea if it is reaching close to the bottom or if there is a charge on top. If you haven't killed the charge yet, why not shoot it out? Sure you have to buy a new jag, but that is cheaper than sending a rifle to the gunsmith. If there is no charge you can also shoot the jag out. I have stuck a jag before while cleaning. I removed the nipple and worked a small amount of powder into the flash channel with a nipple pick, then replaced the nipple and shot the jag out. The very small amount of powder won't always get it out first try. If it doesnt come out you must reseat the jag at the bottom of the barrel before you try again. This procedure must be done with extreme caution.[:o][:o]

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

I'm assuming that the cleaning jig and a cloth are both stuck in the barrell.

Bringing it to a gun smith is one option. Another assumption is that when he was cleaning, the cleaning cloth and jig got stuck and he unscrewed the rod from the jig.

I would try rescrewing the rod back onto the jig by lining them up. I would try a small flash light and see if you can straighten the cleaning jig. I would also try using the patch removal jig which has 2 small wires and see if you can straighten out the jig. Once the jig is back on the rod, you can remove the jig by adding cold water or extra oil to lube the jig and cloth. Or use a bench vise and tighten it on the rod and pull.

Good luck either way...

Tom

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

I never knew that they had a tool to pull the breech plug out of the Renegade or the Hawkins. I am sure this was meant to be used in cases of emergency and not normal cleaning. That is interesting.

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

That plug removal thing with T/C Renegades...

...can anyone confirm a passage of that in their original Renegade instruction manual given them at the time of purchase??

I'd like to hear/read it from the horse's mouth... T/C themselves!!

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

Yes, T/C sold a breech plug wrench that fit the T/C Hawken and Renegade breech plug. It is a gold plated SOB to get one out, but it can be done. The rifle is not designed to have the breechplug pulled on a casual basis, like for cleaning. I have one around the shop somewhere, unless it was loaned out and never returned.

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

Hey Charlie... thanks for the manual news.

I've had my eye on a New 58 cal T/C Renegade for six months now. The only T/C distributor that has them is Foxridge.

It may sway me to get one of those big bore Renegades this spring if that sidelock still has a removable plug. Fox wants $399 for it. It's exactly like the Hawkens except the barrel is 2" shorter & there's no brass on it. Everything else is the same.... wood, locks, double-set trigger & all.

RE: Problem with Thomson center
 

Buy an old Renegade. Sell the barrel on Ebay. Buy a 58 caliber roundball drop in Green Mountain barrel from Track of the Wolf for $169. You won't have $250 in the whole thing, and you will have a great new barrel. Just a thought.