Wheeler barrel vise vs. an 1884 trapdoor springfield. - Wheeler Barrel Vise with 3 Oak Bushings 465185

I bought this vise based on two things, price and Wheeler products reputation. This vise did not disappoint. As you can imagine, removing a barrel from a 140 year old rifle has its challenges. Upon receipt of the Wheeler barrel vise I initially tried to remove the barrel with the supplied blocks. No matter how much force I put on the oak blocks, the barrel rotated. I tried lightly heating the barrel and I also stood the barrel up and soaked the threads in penetrating oil. Still no luck, so I went out and purchased a small rosin bag from my local sporting goods store, the type used by baseball players. After liberally applying a coating of rosin, I clamped the barrel back into the Wheeler barrel vise and attached my home made action wrench to the receiver. A couple of thumps on the handle of the action wrench and I felt t he barrel pop loose from the action. I completed separating the receiver from the barrel. Once I applied the rosin to the oak blocks, as recommended by the instruction the Wheeler barrel vise worked flawlessly. I wish I would of had this barrel vise a couple of months ago to help me with the removal of a stuck breech plug from a Brown Bess barrel I had in the shop.