[bobby n.]

its an 1861 reb navy revolver and the 11 caps dont seem to fit. should i be using a larger size cap? ive heard 12s are out there , but will they do the trick? i aint asking for much just a little magic

[arcticap]

Some 11's run tighter than others, but the nipple cones can be dressed to fit properly using fine sandpaper, filing, a Dremel with a sanding disc, a diamond hone or spinning them with a drill.
But with what ever method is used, go very slowly and carefully, checking often on the progress of the cap fit.

[Sagetown]

Hey bobby n: arcticap : Some 11's run tighter than others

If you're using the CCI caps, they are a tad smaller than the others. Try a different brand such as Remington.

[bobby n.]

im using remmys and they just dont fit very well.. if at all . even if i stretch em with my round tip needle nose pliers they dont fit

[mykeal]

Your only recourse is to sand or file down the nipple cones or buy new nipples. There are no No. 12 caps available today; they were an anachronism 30 years ago.

By the way, what is the specific symptom that causes you to think they don't quite fit? Are you getting failures or do they just not look right?

[Pancho]

Mykeal, doesn't Bobby N's problem seem unique? Usually it's the other way around. #11's that are too large. Unless I just lost my job I'd opt for new nipples. They would be easier to find than #12 caps.

[Sagetown]

Yep; no matter if the gun is old or new, if the remmy's don't fit you have two choices. Remove the nipples and sand, or buy new nipples.

[mykeal]

doesn't Bobby N's problem seem unique? Usually it's the other way around. #11's that are too large.
I suspect the real problem is that the nipples are mushroomed so the caps won't go on. Either way the only solution is sanding/filing or buying new.

Technique for sanding/filing: Use either a fine grit wet (320-400) sandpaper or fine tooth flat file. Chuck each nipple in the jaws of a variable speed electric drill, preferably one with a trigger lock. Carefully close the jaws on the shoulder of the nipple, not the threads, and be sure they are tight. Put the drill in a vise so you have both hands free to work the sandpaper/file, turn it on and set it to a low speed. Carefully hold the sandpaper/file against the side of the nipple cone at the tip and allow the drill to turn the nipple against the sandpaper/file. It's very easy to overdo this, so take your time and use patience, frequently turning the drill off and checking the fit of a cap.

[Smokin_Gun]

Mykeal has it down...follow that procedure and your life will be better...
The trick is to buy several cap & ball guns so you don't wear one out :O)

[Jefferson Herb]

I just bought a few tins of cci mag 11's 4.59 ea,Remmingtons were over 7.00 a tin! [ Longs Eka ca ]

[scrat]

ouch that is really high. my local gun shop was selling them for $3.70 i bought 5 packs just the other day. spent 109.00 1 box of 1000 federal shot gun primers, 1 box of 1000 federal large pistol primers. 5 packs of cci #11 primers and 5 packs of #10 cci primers. Now i just need to stock up on more large rifle and small pistol