Chain Fires

[warbirdlover]

I've read about using grease over the ball or a lubed wad over the powder and proper size balls to prevent this but one knowledgeable person at the range said the only chain fires he's seen (or had) were from the nipple end where a cap came off before it was fired and ignited when the closest chamber was fired. Man, this would scare the pi$$ out of me!

Anyone here have actual "experiences" with a chain fire?

 

[mete]

When you seat the ball you should be shearing off a thin ring of lead .This insures that the chamber is sealed and flame cannot set off adjacent chambers....No I haven't had one !

 

[Old Fuff]

Preventing chain fires in one reason it is recommended that you either use a lubricated felt wad over the powder but under the ball - or as an alternative put a little grease on top of the ball. Yes, I have gone through several chain fires. One was in an original 1860 Colt, that unknown to me had a hole rusted through the wall between two chambers. There was a bit of excitement, but no lasting damage to either the gun or shooter.

During my teen years (when I knew everything one needs to know) I managed to plug the barrel of another original 1860 with 5 balls and no serious consequences. This came about because of a very generous gap between the cylinder and barrel, and too light of a powder charge. I have since concluded that black powder is very forgiving ...

If you load the revolver correctly as described above and make sure the caps are snug you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[saaman]

My only chainfire was with poorly made (out of round brass mold) balls that did not seal the chamber combined with forgetting to grease the front of the chambers. The lead ball whanged off the wedge holding the barrel with no bad effects--I was by myself.
Another time my cousin did the same thing--we were standing side by side shooting at the targets. A piece of his lead ball spattered off the wedge and put a mark in the barrel of my revolver, but caused no other damage. 37 years later I am reminded of that every time I see the mark on my revolver.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Chain Fires/a couple of facts

It's possible for chain fires from the front of a cylinder, I perfer to use homemade lube pills 1/16" thick over or under the ball, which ever works best for the accuracy of the gun. Non-petroleum lube over the ball is a good idea, to keep the fouling soft or clean, prevents possability of chain fire. Most chain fires occur at the nipple or cone end of the cylinder. I use #11 CCI caps on everything I shoot and have for more than 20 years. I too tight a cap can be more dangerous that one a little loose that you squeeze just enough so it stays on and bottoms. If you don't squeeze a cap that's a little loose and it falls off you have potential fora chain fire. If caps are too tight and don't bottom they may be just barely clearing the frame. Upon firing, recoil allows the frame to smack the adjacent caps setting off multiple chambers..ie big chain fire. I have had zero chain fires. I thought it worth mentioning.

 

[Beartracker]

Never had a chain fire and I have been shooting these revolvers for many years. I use a patch over the powder and grease over the ball. The grease over the ball is to help keep things running "smoooooth" and makes the bore much less pron to fouling. That being said , I have never heard of a chain fire through an open nipple. The design of the nipple is such that it would not be easy for a spark to make it down the hole from air born sparks. Not saying it can't happen but it's highly unlikely.
As for the caps falling off or having to pinch them to so they stay on only means one thing, You have the wrong size caps or they are not fully seated to start with. On the Remingtons the machening is not as percise on the nipples as it should be and some people buy better nipples because of this. Some like #10 and some like #11. After you place the cap on the nipple you need to seat it by useing a 6" 3/8" doll rod with a piece of leather glued on the end. Just shove the nipple on firmly with the rod. After fireing the cap should crack and fall off as you cock the hammer for the next round.
If you round the edges a little of the nipple cylinder grooves it will really make a big difference in the nipple falling away cleanly. It doesn't take much to make a reproduction six shooter as smooth as a grease. A little polish and adjusting of the trigger, trigger paw and the chamfering the cylinder holes and the cylinder rod holes and polishing the cylinder rod so that it's like glass can make a gun that is the envy of any cowboy, Just need to give them a little better finish and polish and reblue.