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Nipples tighten up?

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dcriner

40 Cal.
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
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I have experienced nipples that tighten up after firing, over time. I can't explain why this happens, but I seem to recall others commenting similarly. Can anybody explain this?

Now, every time I clean a percussion firearm, I remove and clean the nipples, and coat the threads with anti-seize (sold for shotgun threaded chokes). When reinstalling nipples, I just snug them up, not overly tight. No problems.
 
It’s the carbon fouling that causes them to seize up. I use Teflon tape on the threads when I install them and I just snug them down lightly. Anti seize works too, but Teflon tape is a little cleaner.
 
It’s the carbon fouling that causes them to seize up. I use Teflon tape on the threads when I install them and I just snug them down lightly. Anti seize works too, but Teflon tape is a little cleaner.
Is this the common white tape that plumbers put on pipe threads? I wasn't aware that it could " take the heat".
 
Yes. It is the same tape that is used on pipe joints but, trying to wrap a narrow piece of it around the nipples short threads can be a pita.
A small tube of anti-seize from the local auto parts store will do a good job and will be enough to last a lifetime.
 
the tape works much better then anti seize grease. Just take a 1.25" piece of tape, cut a .250" strip from it and it is easy to wrap the nipple.

Not all rifles need it, just depends on what you are shooting.

Fleener
 
Finger tight and no problems. When I shot SASS would clean cylinders and nipples (removed from cylinders and held in a aluminum plate with six tapped holes in it) with five or six to one solution of water and Ballistols. When preloading before a match would clean out cylinders with isopropyl alcohol. Had plenty of cylinders and didn’t need to reload during shoots. Never had any hint of a stuck nipple. Occasionally at the practice range would reload one cylinder three or four times. Remember no issues or stuck nipples. As an FYI, was using fff Swiss powder in 1858s.

Some suggest you will wear out the tapped hole removing the nipple every time you clean. Would love to shoot enough to actually wear out a threaded hole. No idea how long it would take.....
 
If you had a machine that screwed and unscrewed the nipples at high speed, and then let the machine run for 20 years, 24-7, you might get your answer.

I really think the answer lies in "not tight, barely snug". However to some people, "not tight" just means: "not so tight that you have to strain really hard". So one man's tight, in another man's snug. Or visa-versa, or something like that.
 
I remove the nipples on my rifles for cleaning after a match. I use a tea ball to soak them and then put Teflon on them.
Mark
 
I use a very small dab of TC anti-seize on the threads and apply very very light "snug" to it after it stops turning. I've never had one come loose while shooting. They get removed every single cleaning and come out without issues although it does take a nipple wrench. I soak them in hot water while cleaning the rifle, run a nipple pick through them, and then blow some air through them. I bet that Teflon tape around the threads would work well, but I'd rather not have to mess with cutting it narrower and getting it wrapped on there since the anti-seize is working fine for me.
I would think that not removing the nipple every cleaning would lead to ignition issues over time from the flame channel not getting properly cleaned, let alone allowing the nipple threads to build up enough fouling to make it difficult to remove.
 
A tea ball is a small ball made out of very fine screen like material. You put tea in it to brew in a cup or pot and it contains the grounds. Great for soaking small parts.
Mark
 
I also remove the nipple after shooting the gun for cleaning. I put the nipple &flash guard in my ultronic cleaner while I am cleaning the barrel & lock. When i am ready to re-assemble the nipple is squeaky clean and so is the flash guard. I use anti-sieze on the nipple threads and just snug it down. Have never had a problem in 35 years.
 
Finger tight and no problems. When I shot SASS would clean cylinders and nipples (removed from cylinders and held in a aluminum plate with six tapped holes in it) with five or six to one solution of water and Ballistols. When preloading before a match would clean out cylinders with isopropyl alcohol. Had plenty of cylinders and didn’t need to reload during shoots. Never had any hint of a stuck nipple. Occasionally at the practice range would reload one cylinder three or four times. Remember no issues or stuck nipples. As an FYI, was using fff Swiss powder in 1858s.

Some suggest you will wear out the tapped hole removing the nipple every time you clean. Would love to shoot enough to actually wear out a threaded hole. No idea how long it would take.....
I think the nipple has to be snugged down till the base (under wrench flats) bottoms out firmly. I found to light a touch resulted in the threads taking too much of the blow from the hammer, sometines peening the thread. The nipples are harder than the cylinder. Used to tighten up take-down rifle barrels the same way.
 

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