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Percussion cap not firing

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dennyntx

Pilgrim
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Need help or info have a new Orleans ace 44 the percussion caps don't fire reliably have to pull the hammer back a couple of times to get it to fire seem to be a common problem with these guns but don't know what the fix any ideas on what to do hammer seems to be hitting hard I am lost thanks
 
Definitely check the nipple, but many small pocket guns often have weak hammer springs and short hammer throws. A short throw means that the nipple height has to be exact in order for the hammer to hit square.
 
Is the pistol new?

If so, send it back. To me there is no use in repairing things when they are bought new.

Who accepts a new car that does not function?
No it is not new it was never been fired until I got it so I am the 2nd owner so don't think there is much I can do as for as a warranty type issue
 
Don't know if this will work for you, but it is a simple fix if it does. I had an occasional failure to fire with my sidelock rifle and my shotguns. But when I did they would almost always go off if I re-cocked the hammer and tried again or maybe a third time. On advice from a knowledgeable gent, now when I cap the gun I GENTLY set the hammer down on the cap and then push pretty hard on the back of the spur to force the cap all the way down on the nipple. I have not had a failure to fire since I started this practice. Of course be sure the muzzle is safe, but I have been doing this for 15 years now and have never set off a charge while seating the cap this way.
 
On advice from a knowledgeable gent, now when I cap the gun I GENTLY set the hammer down on the cap and then push pretty hard on the back of the spur to force the cap all the way down on the nipple. .

I like a cap to fit tight so it won't fall off, I always seat the caps with my thumb. Nipples and caps both have a slight taper to them. Nipples can become mushroomed over time, especially from dry firing. When mushroomed the cap will not seat flush on the nipple requiring a lot of pressure like a hammer strike to fully seat it, and you have a misfire.
Careful inspection and dressing of the nipple or replacement can easily fix this problem.
 
Need help or info have a new Orleans ace 44 the percussion caps don't fire reliably have to pull the hammer back a couple of times to get it to fire seem to be a common problem with these guns but don't know what the fix any ideas on what to do hammer seems to be hitting hard I am lost thanks

One of my cap and ball revolver's was doing that and all I did was chuck the nipples in my ele. drill and ran a file over them a little and that fix the problem. Now they go off first time every time.
 
One of my cap and ball revolver's was doing that and all I did was chuck the nipples in my ele. drill and ran a file over them a little and that fix the problem. Now they go off first time every time.
Where did you file the diameter or the length
 
I've done some nipples with a hand file and holding the nipple in a small vise. I would guess a pliers or vise grip would work too. I just file around the circumference of the nipple to reduce it till a cap fits snuggly, but doesn't fall off. I've also touched up the top of a few that were buggered to square them up. Usually I stay away from the top.
 
You stated that hammer was hitting hard? I have a CVA Derringer that had that problem. The hammer was striking hard enough but not squarely on the cap/nipple. The lock plate wasnt deep enough into the stock. Just had to deepen the recess a little so the lock could slide into the stock a tad deeper. This placed the hammer directly over the nipple. I could have just bent the hammer, but CVA hammers like to break before they bend.
 
Generally speaking, when you need multiple hammer strikes to set the cap off, it is a matter of cap and nipple fit. The first strike will usually seat the cap enough that the next strike will make it fire. It's just a matter of working down the nipple enough that the cap will seat all the way onto the nipple.
 
Every reliable loading instructions I've read states to use a piece of wood dowel to gently but firmly push the primer to seat it on the nipple.
Only times I've seen this was a few Rem 1858. The main spring tension screw was backed out and the hammer just flopped.
Rifles that had too short nipple.
And most were too small primer.
 

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