GPR Loose Ramrod

[Cajun72]

Recently acquired a Lyman GPR .54 cal made in 1985.
All in working order, except the ramrod is loose. It slides out when pointed down. Is there some modification I can make to keep it in place? Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Columbus]

Evidently you have one without the cutout in the rib for a spring. That's good. I used a flat toothpick and a bit of Elmer's in the ramrod channel.

 

[Black Hand]

Recently acquired a Lyman GPR .54 cal made in 1985.
All in working order, except the ramrod is loose. It slides out when pointed down. Is there some modification I can make to keep it in place? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Tie a thin piece of leather through the front thimble (a thin thong cut from automotive chamois works very well - you may need to wrap it a few times).

 

[Ames]

Start at the beginning. You did not purchase the gun in 85. So, you never know. Is that the original RR? Is the RR the correct diameter to begin with?
Is there a screw hole where the retainer spring once was? You can get a new spring.

 

[simonbeans]

You could always get another rod.

 

[Grimord]

Suspend some fishing weights from the middle of the ram rod, that is supported on both ends, for a day or two to put a slight bend in the rod. This should stay in the thimbles, yet be readily removed for loading.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I’d tie a heavy thread or small leather lanyard through a ramrod pipe & would then tie off a small bird feather off that by a 2-3” of strong/light thread.

Feather is used as a ”˜wind current’ indicator - great for hunting ... always hunt into the wind!

 

[Ames]

Does your gun have the recess for the spring and is the spring missing? If the spring is there, bend it outwards a little.
If the spring is not there, buy a new one.
If your gun was never outfitted with the spring, file a notch, tap the screw hole and add it.
005 by Ames, on Flickr
No more problems.

 

[Cajun72]

Ok no I did not purchase the rifle in 1985, I was like 13 years old. I do not know if the rr is original. Its a 3/8 rr just loose. Since the rifle is older no rr spring or notch for one. Appreciate all the ideas. Going to give them a shot.
Thanks

 

[Columbus]

Please don't cut a slot in that rib. It's really hard to find one that doesn't have that. In my opinion it ruins the looks of the gun. Can't understand why Lyman went that route.

 

[Black Hand]

Generally speaking, I can't understand why someone would do a non-period fix for a period problem. Too many complicated or time-consuming processes.

Just tie a leather thong through the front thimble and be done with it - A 60 second fix...

 

[Cajun72]

Going to use the leather thong method or glue a piece
of leather or toothpick in the rr channel as suggested. No filing or tapping.

 

[Black Hand]

Skip the toothpick & glue - not necessary....