$10 Japan Kentucky

[LadyHawk]

So I brought home a $10 Kentucky that is missing the lock.  The barrel isn't bad on the outside The ramrod can't make it down the last 5" so something is in there other than all the rust I can see. I believe it is a Miroku from looking online at pics, yet the only markings say "Japan PR 318".  Any info?  I wanted to part it out but my boy wants to fix her up.  Would need a replacement lock and I am assuming barrel. 
Thanks- LH

[Uncle Russ]

Careful! That "something" could very well be a loaded rifle, with that stoppage being a powder column and seated ball

If you don't have a co2 discharger with a flintlock tip, designed for this very purpose, you are likely going to have to draw that puppy with a worm....and that is anything but fun.

But I would first try removing it with air-pressure...while pointed in a safe direction.
I have heard of a football / basketball valve fitting through the flash hole on some these older Miroku guns..
If you have an air compressor, and a football valve, and a little bit of luck, you may be able to move that "mass of something" out of the barred.
If you should be able to move it just a little bit forward, be sure you seat it back before trying again.
That kind of action seems to work best with co2 dischargers, but it does work.

Without doing these two relatively simple things, you may well need to taKe it to a Gunsmith

As far as the gun itself, Dixie Gun Works sold train loads of these things back in the late 60 mid 70's.
Miroku is a well respected Japanese Gun Maker when it comes to modern firearms, but many of the muzzleloaders they made, shipped to the states, and were sold by DGW just were not the quality of their other guns.

Once again, be very careful with that gun.

Russ...

[ridjrunr]

Yes that sounds like a ball is short started perhaps over a charge. I have bought more than one that was loaded,pawnshops and most recently a couple of weeks ago, at an estate sale. That one is an old Dixie kit, barrel is only stamped Dixie Gun Works. Its kind of a cobbled mess but was relatively cheap so I gambled. Like Uncle Russ said, air imo would be the safest way to get whats in there out. Good luck and post a pix if you can.

[Buzzard]

LadyHawk; if you truly want to clear the barrel, then put several drops of gun oil down the barrel first, then follow Uncle Russ's instructions. If it doesn't clear out easily, then I'd trash it. Your lock money is better spent on a better "project".

[Winter Hawk]

If air won't work, try a grease gun to pump it out.  But first, soak that puppy; leave the breach end in a bucket of water overnight before trying to get the obstruction out.  Might even add some dish soap to the water.

And before giving up on the barrel, give Bobby Hoyt a call and see what he can do for you.  I just found him to be a very reasonable and honest man to work with.

~Kees~

[LadyHawk]

Thanks all. I did try to move it with my Co2 but it didn't budge. Will try some oil and the air compressor next.

[Uncle Russ]

Thanks all. I did try to move it with my Co2 but it didn't budge. Will try some oil and the air compressor next.

Good on you!
Oil, almost any kind is good, but if ya should happen to have some "Kroil" oil sitting around, you'll be in high cotton for sure.
There's a sayin...(it might even be on their can), but it says "Kroil, the oil that Kreeps", and it does indeed creep, best break free type oil I've ever used.
But about any good, thin, oil should help.

Good Luck!

Uncle Russ...