Should I fix this?

[Redstick Lee]

my only percussion gun is a 1975 Spanish "pre CVA" that I got in '75 for my 12th birthday.
I still use the bore-through hole as a cleanout / dribble hole and have used 1/2 drop of anti seize on it every cleaning since new.
it IS useful occasionally !

 

[Carbon 6]

Well, Has the OP made up his mind yet ? Is it fixed ?

 

[Juice Jaws]

I would not worry about it.

 

[Carbon 6]

I would not worry about it.

The screw or the OP ?

 

[Juice Jaws]

The screw or the OP ?

The screw

 

[Mulebrain]

I would replace the drum, with a new one. Not really a big deal.

I would check with deer creek, if they don't have, I just might

http://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

 

[Scota@4570]

If I recall right, that screw is tiny. About a metric equivalent of a #3 US or a metric 2.5 MM. An "easy out" is not going to help. Welding a new head on it will allow you to snap it off very nicely. The slot is toast because it is frozen in there. Drilling it out by hand or in a drill press will not center properly making a big mess.

About he only real plan would be to remove the drum. Please do not use pliers or a pipe wrench. Put he drum in the lathe. Center drill. Go in small at first. Finish with a #31, tap 6-48.

Or just leave it alone. IT is not a clean out. It is a plug. Leave it plugged.

"I would replace the drum, with a new one. Not really a big deal."

CVA drums are machined after installation in the breech plug. They are drilled through the bore from the muzzle. That requires special tooling. Just screwing in a short thread plug leaves a large void in the breech plug area. That void fills with fouling and the gun stops shooting.