Almost embarassed to ask this about caps...

i have countersunk nipples on my Super Companion, the caps will not go anywhere even with very powerful loads.

Yep, sure would be nice if they always stayed intact and on the nipple.

But that's not exactly a real common occurrence. Depending on the brand and 'size' of the caps, the shape of the nipples, the powder load and the phase of the moon they will either stay on in one piece, shatter into several pieces some or all of which fall into the action, split apart but remain together and then fall into the action, attach themselves to the hammer or fall off the nipple but stay in the nipple recess.

I could be mistaken, but I don't think you should expect that much consistency from fired caps. On my ROAs, Dragoons, and Walker, some caps seem to fire and stay intact, others split, and still others blow apart. I've not checked carefully, but it seems to vary across chambers inconsistently, too. I wouldn't worry about it. If they go "bang" when hit and don't fall off before being struck, you're doing fine.

Busyhands94 said:

i have countersunk nipples on my Super Companion, the caps will not go anywhere even with very powerful loads.

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hm, what does countersunk nipples mean? how was it accomplished? thanks man

4v50 Gary said:

Good question about countersinking a nipple. I'm trying to figure out how counter-sinking would help a cap remain on.

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He is talking about one of those wee NAA pistols.

The cylinder completely surrounds the nipple so it can't split and fall off...or get knocked off in your pocket.

http://www.naaminis.com/naac&b.html

It depends on the size and brand of cap and the size and configuration of the nipple. I've fired caps of both types, and IMO I would far rather have caps that split and fall off than have to deal with removing tight, expended caps. They can be a real PITA to remove, and my first 1858 has a cylinder with some nice screwdriver gouges in the cap channels from trying to remove the darned things.

In my experience, the vast majority of caps on the ROA split and fall off on their own. One of the joys of the ROA is they rarely have cap debris fall into the works and bind things up. It's never happened to me after thousands of rounds but I guess it could happen. The few times a fired cap stayed put it was a pain to pry it off.

Jeff

Durn Caps anyhow!

RWS Caps have been my worst foe! They're soft and thin and fall everywhere in the action. The worst place is under the Hammer which makes the hammer not fall on the next nipple.
I have had my best luck with Remington Caps hanging on and together.
HTH,
ZVP

+1 for Remington caps. I use #10's on all my C&B revolvers.

I find the RWS 1075's are really more powerful but it really is a crap shoot (so to speak) if the cap is going to blow itself to pieces, stay on the nipple or somewhere in between.

I have found a little bit better solution. Blomquist nipples are made to use the RWS caps. He specifically used the 1075 when he makes his nipples.

I still like Treso's...but since I have a 1000 RWS 1075's....the Blomquist/RWS 1075 combo is really tough to beat.

I'm not kidding about the difference in kaboom between RWS 1075 plus caps and Remington. I fire a round of caps, with no charge, first to clear everything out. The 1075's are a lot more powerful. I have no idea if this is good or bad.