Cap pinching

Have read many threads about pinching caps so they will stay on the nipple. While considering buying an 1858 Remington revolver, my brother beat me to it and bought one. Naturally that’s all the persuasion I needed to get mine. Already having #11 cci caps for our smokepoles we put those to use. His first complaint was about his caps flying off unfired cylinders, even though he had pinched the caps with his fingers. So being the tinkerer, I wanted to find a solution, since we can’t seem to get any Remington 10’s. I don’t know how all you guys do the pinch, I got mine to work with some electrical pliers. I put a cap on each end of the jaws and squeeze together. It flattens one side of the cap, which makes it fit tighter. Needle nose pliers also work but the electrical are better. I shot 4 cylinders and had no caps fly off. Was using 30 grains pyrodex P in my .44 caliber pietta with a lubricated wad over powder and .454 balls with nothing on top. Had no misfires or chain fires. Posting this because being a newbie I have not read anywhere HOW you guys were pinching them. Comments and or advice welcome. Wanted to post some pics but don’t see where you ad them to your post.

Look down 1.250 inches.

Paperclip tab.

It will take you to your photos.

Double click the photo you want to post.

I just pinch then between my thumb and first finger if I need to use a bit loose cap. Don’t like to do it as correct fit is best but pinching a cap is better than not shooting.

I've fired many thousands of rounds through cap and ball revolvers with pinched CCI #11's

The Pietta stock nipples are perfect for this

I just give em a squeeze with my fingers before capping, never had one come off

64Springer said:

Look down 1.250 inches.

Paperclip tab.

It will take you to your photos.

Double click the photo you want to post.

Click to expand...

lol yeah figured it out, was trying to do it on my phone, thanks

Stantheman86 said:

I've fired many thousands of rounds through cap and ball revolvers with pinched CCI #11's

The Pietta stock nipples are perfect for this

I just give em a squeeze with my fingers before capping, never had one come off

Click to expand...

well, both our pietta nipples are not perfect for that, thanks for your input. i guess you are somehow trying to help.

TOTW sells cones that provide a better cap fit than the Italian reproduction cones. For less money, but a little more fussiness, search for percussion cap keepers. They are soft vinyl rings that you slide over the cap and cone and help keep the caps in place before firing and also help keep the fired caps in place instead of dropping in between the hammer and frame. If interested, just look at the pictures of the cap keepers to see what they look like. You can make them yourself for cheap out of aquarium air pump tubing.

End your frustration and get Slix Springs nipples.

Agree with last two guys. I used to pinch until I got some new nipples that the caps fit- far better.

As, I think @Ed C. said, get a set of Slix Shot nipples. They’re for #11’s. Great nipples.

Will the slix shot nipples fit a Palmetto 1858? Richland arms import.

Pinching caps on nipples is never a good idea either for revolvers or (.Y.) In one case, you could end up with a chain fire or a jammed action, in the other you could get slapped by their owner. Get the correct size caps for your nipples... or get new nipples that work with #11 caps. I like @halman 's post. It's a good idea. If you really gotta pinch caps, at least do it consistently and precisely. I got a few #10 caps left, but mostly I just don't shoot my revolver much these days.

revolvers

halman said:

well, both our pietta nipples are not perfect for that, thanks for your input. i guess you are somehow trying to help

Click to expand...

If you don't want people's input , don't ask , I guess......

Maybe spend 30 bucks and buy some nipples then

Just pinch and shoot the darn thing.

I have a Confederate 1851 pietta manufactured in 1983. The number 11's fit perfectly I'm talking about CCI number 11. I just got a new pietta 1858 and the number 11 caps are slightly loose. Giving them a tiny pinch keeps them on. I had this idea I would take the nipples out decrease them mask off the threads and put a coat of industrial enamel paint on them. I'm willing to bet that will increase the size just enough for the number 11 to fit perfectly.

just shoot the darn thing. nipples will break in and start to fit perfectly after a few thousand rounds. then they get too fat and you buy your fancy new nipples.

I'll bet he has Rev B lot CCI's , just a guess . They are a different size. Even TotW says to avoid the Rev B's

Even though people get snarky I'll still try to help because snarky curmudgeons need help too

Stantheman86 said:

revolvers
If you don't want people's input , don't ask , I guess......

Maybe spend 30 bucks and buy some nipples then

Click to expand...

Your input was useless, as I’ve seen on a lot of your other comments in different areas. I have no use for people that say some of the things you say. Many know what I’m talking about. Just scroll on by any of my posts if you can without comment. I know you will have to have the last word, know that I won’t answer. Don’t really care if you want me to die or grow mushrooms in my crack. Just stay away.

halman said:

Your input was useless, as I’ve seen on a lot of your other comments in different areas. I have no use for people that say some of the things you say. Many know what I’m talking about. Just scroll on by any of my posts if you can without comment. I know you will have to have the last word, know that I won’t answer. Don’t really care if you want me to die or grow mushrooms in my crack. Just stay away.

Click to expand...

Is that even possible?

I took a pair of tin snips and just filed out a bit on the inside of each jaw to give a good consistent pinch to my caps. I just kept going until I had them crimping down to just the right size and tested them out as I went. With this improvised tool, I get really nice cap retention because it crimps the caps in a more rounded fashion, giving more contact with the nipples, and I can set the crimp farther up the cap instead of just having the edges pushed in. I crimped a whole tin of #11 caps that way.

Shortly after, I bought a set of Slixshot nipples, and because the edges weren't crimped, I could still seat them on the bigger nipples.