Help Needed With A Philadelphia Derringer

Blackpowdershooter44 · Jan 19, 2017

Hi all,
I've got a Philadelphia Derringer made by Jukar that has a lot of problems with misfires. I'm guessing the hammer strike isn't strong enough, but I'm not sure. After some prompting it'll go off, I've taken the lock apart and everything seems to be okay. Any Ideas?

Thanks!

entropy · Jan 19, 2017

Could also be the angle at which the hammer hits the nipple. Heat, bend, and quench to fix.

44 Dave · Jan 19, 2017

I agree that it could be the hammer/nipple angle. I have checked hammer strike by cutting or punching some card stock (like cereal box) and snapping the hammer on it then seeing where and how deep it is cut.

rdstrain49 · Jan 19, 2017

Why not check the cap size and fit first. Too small a cap can result in habitual misfires.

Jimster · Jan 19, 2017

I also feel that maybe the cap isn't seating all the way. The hammer is beating it down with successive strikes and finally hitting bottom and firing. I had one of those pistols back in the 70s.

Malachi Leviticus Blue · Jan 19, 2017

Just to clarify, by misfires do you mean the cap does not go off, or the cap goes off, but the powder does not ignite?

Blackpowdershooter44 · Jan 19, 2017

Malachi Leviticus Blue said:
Just to clarify, by misfires do you mean the cap does not go off, or the cap goes off, but the powder does not ignite?

Cap doesn't go off.

Malachi Leviticus Blue · Jan 20, 2017

I agree then that cap fit is the first thing to confirm. For troubleshooting purposes a bit loose if probably better than too tight. If the cap is not fully seated, it is unlikely to go off and as stated each successive strike can continue to seat the cap bit by bit until it finally goes off when fully seated. I'd also try a fresh tin of caps before any gunsmithing beyond maybe turning down the nipple if you're sure the caps don't fit and you're set on using that size.

Jimster · Jan 20, 2017

The nipple could also be "mushroomed" a bit after years of use causing a poor cap fit. They are easy to replace if need be.

Blackpowdershooter44 · Jan 20, 2017

I'll try some different caps, I've got some winchester #11 Magnums and some Remington #11's right now. If this doesn't solve the problem, I'll try another nipple, would this one work? http://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p599/Philadelphia_Derringer_Nipple.html that nipple is for a CVA model, mine is a Jukar made replica.
Thanks for the help!

Stormson · Jan 24, 2017

I have no IDEA if a CVA will fir a Jukar or not... What I do know is that the people at Deer Creek are very helpful, polite, and knowledgeable... Give em a call and ask them if it will fit or not before ordering... I'd be VERY surprised if they didnt know which one you need.

Blackpowdershooter44 · Jan 25, 2017

Stormson said:
I have no IDEA if a CVA will fir a Jukar or not... What I do know is that the people at Deer Creek are very helpful, polite, and knowledgeable... Give em a call and ask them if it will fit or not before ordering... I'd be VERY surprised if they didnt know which one you need.

I called them and they said the CVA nipple will fit so I ordered one. Hopefully this solves the problem.

Panzerschwein · Jan 25, 2017

Blackpowdershooter44 said:
I called them and they said the CVA nipple will fit so I ordered one. Hopefully this solves the problem.

I betcha it'll help! If not, your spring might be too light.

Perfesser · Jan 26, 2017

I have a Jukar I picked up cheap a few years ago.. Had the same problem using CCI or Nobel caps. The "lip" at the front of the hammer - where the notch is - was hitting the edge of the cap and mushrooming it so the primer wasn't being crushed. Dremel (is that a verb?) the inside of the hammer nose at the front until it clears. It won't take much. Once I did that I had no more problems. I think the real problem is that the lock assembly is set just a hair too far back. Does the nipple sit at the front of the hammer rather than centered? Take a close look at a misfired cap and see if it looks deformed on one side.

Blackpowdershooter44 · Jan 26, 2017

Perfesser said:
I have a Jukar I picked up cheap a few years ago.. Had the same problem using CCI or Nobel caps. The "lip" at the front of the hammer - where the notch is - was hitting the edge of the cap and mushrooming it so the primer wasn't being crushed. Dremel (is that a verb?) the inside of the hammer nose at the front until it clears. It won't take much. Once I did that I had no more problems. I think the real problem is that the lock assembly is set just a hair too far back. Does the nipple sit at the front of the hammer rather than centered? Take a close look at a misfired cap and see if it looks deformed on one side.

I'm not home right now, but when I get back next week I'll check and let you know.

Blackpowdershooter44 · Feb 6, 2017

Heck, that was easy.
Decided to try some different percussion caps before switching the nipple or modifying the hammer. When I last fired the pistol, I used Winchester #11 Magnums, and these work woefully on this gun. Tried 4 Remington #11 caps today, and they went off everytime. Looks like I've got a spare nipple now

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Panzerschwein · Feb 7, 2017

Blackpowdershooter44 said:
Heck, that was easy.
Decided to try some different percussion caps before switching the nipple or modifying the hammer. When I last fired the pistol, I used Winchester #11 Magnums, and these work woefully on this gun. Tried 4 Remington #11 caps today, and they went off everytime. Looks like I've got a spare nipple now
Thanks to everyone for your help!

Excellent! Sometimes it's just a matter of finding the right caps.

Help Needed With A Philadelphia Derringer

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