Hammer Time....

[edorfox]

Hi All,

I am new to BP and have a nice blued 1975 ROA. It had an "issue" in a previous life and was sent back to Ruger where they replaced the hammer, trigger and pawl. The question is whether or not the hammer should contact the nipples. Mine contacts 5 of the 6 and will "push" the cylinder forward by whatever couple thousandths there is in the frame opening. Will this cause issues such as mushrooming of the nipples, fragment the caps, or damage the hammer? Would it be recommended I trim the nipples and if so, to what clearance?

TIA

Ed

 

[arcticap]

There are differing opinions about that. I think that because the caps are made of copper that is malleable, the thin layer of metal acts as a shock absorber to protect the nipples from damage. So the hammer is not really contacting the nipples, but only contacting the caps. Therefore they don't need to be trimmed.
If any of them do eventually deform then each can be dressed as needed.
Ruger range tests their repaired guns for function before being released by the repair department. That should have indicated that the nipples functioned satisfactorily.

 

[edorfox]

Thanks arcticap,
I was hoping for that answer. I have been searching for quite a while and the only reference I could find was for "Tuning the Pietta Pt 2" by Scrat where it said the hammer shouldn't contact the nipple. I am sure, as you stated, there are differing opinions but, I'm OK with your opinion. I assume that Ruger is OK with it as well as that is the way they returned it after having a new hammer fitted. One would think that they would know how to do it correctly.

I have been reading the sticky regarding "rolling you own" paper cartridges...very cool. I am convinced, once I get skilled in that art, I will be hooked on BP! It must make range time MUCH more enjoyable...thanks Timuchin!

Ed

 

[mykeal]

The hammer does not contact the nipple on any of my ROA's. As to whether that is a factory standard or not I can't say, but I believe it's the more desirable condition.

However, unless it's an extreme situation it shouldn't be an issue UNLESS you dry fire the gun. Arcticap is correct about the caps providing a cushion that prevents mushrooming the nipples; obviously that cushion isn't available when dry firing so they could be damaged.

I wouldn't bother to trim them - just make sure they're properly seated (firm but not gorilla tight) and replace them if they show signs of damage. Replacement nipples are only $3 to $6 depending on material.

 

[madcratebuilder]

If you are concerned about the contact you could remove a materiel from the hammer nose until you have .002-.003 clearance with the nipple/hammer. My two ROA's do not contact the nipples. Most all my Italian's have nipple contact out of the box, Remington clones seem the worst. If you are not dry firing it's a non-issue.

 

[[email protected]]

I see that's one thing I left out on my "Use of Nipple" thread some time back.
I dress my nipples to where the hammer just kisses the nipple. No more, No less.

All of our in-line pistols are the same way.

 

[edorfox]

Thanks for all the replies. I will watch the condition as I begin to fire the ROA. IF I do decide to make an adjustment, I will trim each nipple because I am already aware of individual differences. Trimming of the hammer will make some better and some worse. The hammer face only has a 3/4 semi-circle witness marking so, I may try to change the angle slightly to achieve a "full circle" marking before trimming of the nipples.

Ed

 

[arcticap]

It's less risky to adjust the least expensive part.
If an adjustment mistake is made, the bad nipple will be easier to replace than the hammer.

 

[ClemBert]

The hammer does not make contact with the nipples on my ROAs. I had thought/read/heard that this is supposed to be the case with all ROAs. I guess, like a lot of info you come across, that could be incorrect. I wonder if perhaps someone had changed out your nipples to non-factory ones. Or, it just could be that originally the hammer was "fitted" to your ROA then when they did a quick change out they never went back to recalibrate the contact between the hammer and the nipples.

 

[Pancho]

I agree with articap. Nipples are what we call in the welding trade a "consumable" meaning that they are meant to become worn out deemed unserviceable and replaced relatively cheaply and easily.