Break open inline won't lock up.

[Don Nelson]

The rifle in question is a .45 caliber Tradition's Pursuit. Today was the first time I ever shot it. I got it from my wife's uncle when he passed away.
The rifle is clean as is the pocket were the 209 primer goes. However when I put a primer in it will not lock up correctly. In other words the button you use to open it
does not come back out all the way. I didn't notice the problem the first shot but the second shot the gun actually opened up on recoil. This brought the problem to my knowledge. So after cleaning it tonight I tried some Winchester primers I had that are marked as being for Inline's. They took a couple slams to get the action to close but they did it much easier. So I know the problem. The little lip around the primers are cupped a bit and have to be flattened when the gun is closed.
What I don't know is how to fix the problem. I don't want to wing it by reaming the primer pocket a tad deeper. Or take some off the end of breach plug. But this feels like a hear hold my beer kind of idea.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

When i put an O ring down into my primer pocket, on an Accura, to seal it up, i really have to slam it pretty hard to get it closed and locked properly. Sounds like you have a similar issue, you may just need to close it more forcefully.

 

[MrTom]

Is there a chance that your uncle shimmed the primer pocket?

 

[Don Nelson]

So I did a search on google and found that the Pursuit Pro had a BP issue.
Traditions will sell you a different BP to correct the problem. Or tell you what primers are less effected.
Read that one guy just puts primers in the gun and slams them till the fit and saves them for when he is shooting. I had actually thought of that.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

I would opt for the breech plug that Traditions will send you first.

 

[Don Nelson]

Is there a chance that your uncle shimmed the primer pocket?

No I have a feeling he only shot it a few times and got fed up with it. He was not much into anything other than rifles.
He had a flintlock that he shot a few times and a couple bows and a crossbow.
Him and my wife's brother were not into using something that took work and practice.

 

[Don Nelson]

I would opt for the breech plug that Traditions will send you first.

I will see how much they are. They are not giving them away.

 

[deermanok]

I bought one some years back at the Traditions shop in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
As I recall, the guy recommended using CCI 209M primers.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

I will see how much they are. They are not giving them away.

They ought to if they know its a problem and have a fix for it.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Maybe the list of ‘less affected primers’ is the way to go then?

 

[Don Nelson]

They ought to if they know its a problem and have a fix for it.

Yes well they are not T/C you know. T/C would send the new BP and probably some free goodies for the trouble.
They knew how to treat customers.

 

[phalanx]

I was shooting an old Traditions Pursuit today and wasn't able to lock up using Win or 777 primers unless I slammed it a few times. Switched to Cheddite and it locked up fine and had no blow back. Double win!

 

[CatamountRob]

It seems like there are two simple solutions and a few less simple. The simple ones are get a new breechplug or find a primer that works and stick with it.
If it was me I’d buy the new breechplug so that I could use any primer.

 

[Don Nelson]

Looks like the new BP is about $20 I can handle that.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Looks like the new BP is about $20 I can handle that.

I would be interested in the dimensional difference between the two when you get it.

 

[HV-Muzzleloaders]

You could put a 3/8" drill bit in a hand drill and drill it out just a small amount and then try it again. This should make a tiny recess for the rim of the primer. Continue doing this until it closes as desired.

Take out just a few thousandths of an inch. Use a very light touch on the drill.

I would put the breech plug in a vise to make sure you do not drill your hand.

 

[phalanx]

Tried the Cheddite in a newer lightweight Traditions Pursuit with a Nitride barrel. Same as yesterday, nice lock up and zero blow back. Might be the ticket for those plugs.

 

[alternate]

Primers from different companies have slightly different sized primers. Your gun is likely set up for a different brand primer than the ones you're using and is not necessarily defective. I headspace my rifles for a .003 to .005 crush fit on the primer I intend to use. (FED 209A) This means my bolt guns have noticeable resistance when locking the bolt down and a break open will just barely lock up. On my "go-to" deer rifle (NEF 12ga converted to .458 SML) I always slam the action shut twice after loading to insure positive lock up. A small price to pay for instant lock time and NO leaks around the primer. I have seen posts from guys that measured various primer brands but I don't remember where I saw it.

 

[DavidAR10T]

Standard WIN Shotshell 209 primers a taller.
I found this out when I ordered the latest, greatest
"Sub-Zero headspace" 209 Direct breech plugs for NEF in 5/8" last month. You have
to give the 209 Direct BP a little extra humphh to lock up the rifle.