Nipples and Caps for Uberti 1860 and 1851's - question

[1-12 INF]

Gents,

New to BP, been playing with .45 LC cartridges, and have had so much fun with those - so I got me two Ubertis - and 1860 Army (.44) and 1851 Navy (.36).  Been reading here about replacement nipples, and the importance of proper-fitting nipples to avoid chain-fire.  I'm asking the for some experienced advice here to save me some money and experimentation.

Seems there's three nipple brands - Treso, Slix-shot, and Track of the Wolf.. and two brands with two sizes of caps each (not counting RWS) - CCI and Remington tens and elevens.  

What cap is the best fit on my stock, out-of-the-box guns?  I'm willing to replace all 12 nipples if the performance is warranted, and if I do - what combo of nipple and cap should I use?

Thanks - Bob

[Fingers McGee]

Remington # 10s will be your best fit on stock or replacement nipples.  If you replace the nipples, Treso or Slix Shots in combination with the aforementioned #10 Remingtons will you best bet.

[Pettifogger]

Remington # 10s will be your best fit on stock or replacement nipples.  If you replace the nipples, Treso or Slix Shots in combination with the aforementioned #10 Remingtons will you best bet.

+1.  The Track of the Wolf is basically a stainless steel version of the Treso.

[River City John]

This is a pic I shot for an article that appeared in "The Shootist" several years ago.

It shows pretty clearly why you would want to change out the nipples. On the left is a stock Italian nipple, on the right a Treso. The Italian nipples have a rounded shoulder, designed so that it'll accept any cap, but prone to have caps fall off into the works. The after-market nipples have a square shoulder that holds caps much better.

The caps are, l. to r., Remington #10, #11, Dynamite Nobel #1075 caps, and CCI #10 and #11.

Most readily found available are the Remington #10's, a good reason to use those as your standard. They fit well and give good service.

RCJ

[Crow Choker]

What Fingers, Pettifogger, and RC John said....#10 Remingtons. I've found they do and have worked (and worked best) on every Italian made Colt/Remington made C&B using the stock nipples made by either Uberti and Pietta. Do a search on the subject, there has been several lengthy threads over the last 1-2 years on the subject of stock vs aftermarket nipples and percussion caps. Read Mako's informative information in the 'Dark Arts' on nipples and caps titled 'Cap Gun Primer: Correct Cone Length'.

[1-12 INF]

Thanks gents, and I have to admit I didn't notice the 'dark arts' section before.  Lots of info there.

[Coffinmaker]

I just hate being "Tail End Charlie."  What a GROAN.  But .......... PILING ON HERE!!  (Mostly)

Yes.  Change out the OEM nipples.  I prefer and recommend SlixShot.  Optimized for Remington #10 Caps.

So I'm just going to reiterate what Fingers, Pettifogger, RC John, Crow Choker and now I have said.  See??  Tail End Charlie ... SUX.

Coffinmaker

[Bunk Stagnerg]

I vote with the maker of Coffins
Remington #10 and Slixshot nipples are a great combination and what I used this weekend in my Pietta 1860 Army revolvers.
59 shots with no misses and one that I did not cap. No cap no bang one miss. DRAT. Ruined a perfectly good day.
I have a carton of CCI#11 caps they work so so and what I use for practice and save the Remmys #10 for the gunfight.
Yr' Obt' Svt'
Bunk

[john boy]

51 Navy Colts plus SlixShot = Remington #11's

[Coffinmaker]

John Boy,

Ah ...... No.  SlixShot nipples were optimized by the manufacturer for Remington #10 Caps.  Bore size not withstanding.

Coffinmaker

[john boy]

CM, #10's don't fully seat on the SlixShot nipples I have on a pair of 51 Navy Colts.  The 11's do and have no jambs on cylinder rotations

[Fingers McGee]

CM, #10's don't fully seat on the SlixShot nipples I have on a pair of 51 Navy Colts.  The 11's do and have no jambs on cylinder rotations

And, I have no problem with #10s fully seating on my 1861 Navies with Slix Shots.  No jams & spent caps stay on till removed.  

[Trailrider]

Tsk, tsk! The "correct" term for these items is "cones"!  N---les are portions of anatomy not mentioned in the presence of ladies and children! That's worse than using the word leg instead of limb!    

[44caliberkid]

My wife hates "nipple talk" as the worst version of "bullet talk" which she tolerates.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I have Coffinmaker Pietta 1860's .
I can tell you from experience.
I was a cartridge gun shooter before getting these 1860's
Slix nipples and Remington #10 caps will take care of Most of your issues with cap jamming.
Then Cap rakes installed in your guns will take care of the rest.
My cap guns are as reliable as my cartridge guns .

Also I have a Uberti 1849 getting Goonerized right now.
These Cap guns can be very reliable with some little tunning and good nipples.

Just saying.
Rooster