[Pancho]

Ok, I'm asking a lot of basic questions about cap and ball pistols. I want to get back into it after a 40 year absence. I have just recently heard about #10 caps on the forum. Is this an attempt to negate the need to squeeze the #11 so they won't fall off, or they for the really small pocket pistols.
By the way I don't mind asking stupid questions. I learn a lot more that way and spend a lot less.

[dwave]

I use #10's because they fit on the nipples better, but I still give them a little squeeze, but not as bad as a #11

[SAKOHUNTER]

Remmington #10's fit my ROA just about perfect. CCI #11's work to but they are not as tight and do better with a little squeeze.

[pohill]

From an old Colt Industries pamphlet:
"Percussion caps are now made in sizes from nine to thirteen. Ten and eleven are the best numbers for the small and medium-sized arms, and twelve for the larger sizes, although, as different-sized nipples are sometimes met in specimens of the same model, no hard and fast rule can be given. It is better to have caps slightly too large than too small, as large caps can be pinched together at the bottom enough so they will stay on the nipples, but small ones must be driven down on the nipple by the blow of the hammer, and this process frequently cushions the blow to the extent of producing a misfire."

[mykeal]

Which caps fit which guns depend entirely on the nipple used. Different manufacturers will use different size nipples on the same design gun, so there's really no way to say that No. 10's fit the smaller guns and No. 11's fit larger guns.

Frankly, it's best, in my opinion, to just remove the stock nipples and throw them away. Replace them with nipples that you know the size of; I recommend using Treso No. 11's. They make thread sizes and just as importantly overall lengths that fit almost everything. They are a high quality aftermarket nipple.

[AntiqueCollector]

Use whichever fit tightly. Some guns like 10's and some like 11's. There's no real "rule" on what size guns to use which on, it depends on the nipple size. It's possible a chainfire could result from loose fitting caps falling off...

[RON in PA]

Pancho, there are no stupid questions, it's always better to ask.

I finally got to shoot my Uberti Colt 1851 replica last week and to my surprise it liked both Remington #10s and CCI #11s.