Seating caps

[Wildcat Will]

I'm new to the Cap and Ball pistol world and I'm having problems with my 1860 Army Pieta pistols.  I'm using #11 Remington caps and at least half the time the cap won't fire the first time around.  I've been told to seat them firmly and I think I have by pushing as firmly as I feel comfortable with the back of the capper.  I have two of the pistols and it is happening with both of them. 

I know there is a lot of knowledge out here so I'm looking for help on how to better seat the caps to get ignition on the first hammer drop. 

Thanks

[Hickok]

I caution you against pushing too hard on the cap with your thumb, because they can go off, and from what I hear, it really hurts.

I always put my caps on, then pointing the revolver in a safe direction, I push down on them with the hammer to seat them fully. A problem can arise if the caps aren't down enough and bind the cylinder by hitting on the back of the frame. I take all my nipples and slowly with a small jewelers file, dress them down until they fit snug with my brand and size of caps I use. Not hard to do. You could buy aftermarket nipples that fit your caps, but I find that very expensive for a revolver. I just file down all my nipples to fit one size primer cap, and never have any more problems.

Some folks use a small wooden dowel to push caps on before rotating the cylinder. To me, pushing or forcing a too tight cap on an ill fitting nipple is a dangerous thing.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Wildcat Will,

As usual Hickok has hit the nail spot on .... a small dowel or a piece of horn keeps the hands asway form the cap ....  I was lucky and got this as part of a purchase of some black powder guns .... this is exactly how I got it .....

[Fingers McGee]

First off, are the pistols new or used.  Have they been dryfired so that the nipples could be mushroomed?  If so, you need to replace (or fix) the nipples first.  If the nipples are good, then the proper implement for seating caps is made out of Unicorn horn sheds; but, they are extremely hard to find if you aren't living on the edge of an enchanted forest.  A good substitute is a deer or elk antler tip, piece of hardwood dowel or even a pencil or Bic pen. DO NOT use the hammer to seat the caps. One slip and you could have an AD that would possibly ruin your day.  It is illegal to use the hammer to seat caps in SASS matches.  Finger/thumb pressure is also discouraged.  Percussion caps are set off from impact (hence the name percussion cap) so as long as you are applying slow pressure, you do not have to worry about them going off.

[Wildcat Will]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  The pistols were bought new and the nipples are after market.  I'll look at getting a hardwood dowel and shave it down so it will push the cap straight onto the nipple. 

I've also heard of folks pinching the cap prior or after it is put on the nipple.  What can you tell me about that technique.

[Forty Rod]

Pinching the caps before putting them on the nipple is to make too large caps fit.  It works on a single shot gun, but is tiresome if you're using a revolver. 

You might try different size caps.  My Treso nipples (on an 1860 Army) take #10 caps perfectly.

[Hickok]

Good point Fingers Mcgee on safety at the SASS matches. I am usually out in the woods by myself loading up a cap and baller. No SASS events in my neck of the woods.

[Count Sandor]

For the past couple of years I have used a common lead pencil with eraser. I cut the pencil down to about half length, fasten it to one end of a Double Albert watch chain so it is handy in a vest pocket. The other end of the chain gets a capper attached, and I am good to go with everything close at hand. Newer pencils have softer erasers, seat caps well but still have some give in them.

CS

[Wildcat Will]

Thanks for all the info.  I plan to try them out and see what works for these two pistols.  I do enjoy shooting them and they do look nice. 

[HolliferADollar]

I found that #11 caps were too small for the stock nipples on my Pietta 1860 Army revolvers...the hard way.  First time I tried the pistols at a match, I put on #11 caps & half didn't fire.  I switched over to #10s & pinch them slightly.

I seat them with thumb pressure only, or with a wood dowel.  SASS rules specifically prohibit seating the caps with the hammer of the revolver (see RO2 manual page 9).

Holler

[Sod Buster]

I hand-seat the #10 Remington caps and then make sure they are secure using a deer antler (Thanks Litl Rooster).  I very rarely have a problem.