Smith Anti Cleanout Screw Blaster Modification

[RaiderANV]

I've repaired 40+ Smith's over the decades this way and never a problem or screw coming back out. And Tom is correct about the deep hole under the nipple on most repro's. The flash bottoms out and the energy sorta comes back towards the nipple. When you fill it and work it with a dremil and dental bits to make a slight ramp or channel directing the flash right into the flash hole you'll never have a misfire again. You could probably light yer charcoal grill with it.
Whatcha thinks Eggs???

[Eggman]

Funny you should say that as I did light my grill with it last night. The gun has taken on a whole new character. Maybe the N-SSA needs to come up with a new rule.
I officially declare it the Kelly Modification.

[Kevin Tinny]

Hello:

Very helpful stuff.

Am curious, TJ and anyone else, if a lead shim might serve as well or better?

Have a musket with high-grade breech, but slightly deeper than normal nipple hole. Close examination during my first cleaning revealed not a carbon accumulation, but instead that the builder had put a thin, but gap filling lead shim in it.
It has lasted a long time during his personal and now my use.

Just wondering, please. Perhaps the lead shim was the pre-JB method.
Thanks.

Kevin Tinny

[CAGerringer]

I've repaired 40+ Smith's over the decades this way and never a problem or screw coming back out. And Tom is correct about the deep hole under the nipple on most repro's. The flash bottoms out and the energy sorta comes back towards the nipple. When you fill it and work it with a dremil and dental bits to make a slight ramp or channel directing the flash right into the flash hole you'll never have a misfire again. You could probably light yer charcoal grill with it.
Whatcha thinks Eggs???

PJ,
Can you use regular JB Weld, or does it have to be the "High Temp" version?
Charlie Gerringer
Old Dominion Dragoons

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

The original Smiths use a nipple where the base is rounded, not flat. It mates into a mating rounded area at the bottom of the hole to make less of a gap between the flash hole and the nipple. Filling this gap, when using a flat ended nipple does make sense. Just saying.

[RaiderANV]

I have only ever done this to REPRO Smiths. I have never found a need on originals. I have anyways used the High Temp JB just because if I'm going to do it I'm using ht best JB available. Regular might work? Why risk it the stuff is purdy cheap.

Never seen or heard of the lead shim deal but I reckon it'll work. I prefer solid material in place that won't move.