Is the 1851 navy prone to misfire

[Tinpan58]

Took my 1851 navy to the range for the first time, only put about 24 rounds thru it and had one misfire, the cap fired on the second try. I really like the gun feels great in the hand and a very good shooter, may very-well become my favorite. All my other guns are remingtons, have a .44, .36, and .32 pocket after about 200 rounds in them never had a misfire. I am using #10 remington caps in all the guns. I have also watched a number of youtube videos of the 1851 and have noticed occasional misfires. Looking at the hammer design with the gap for the safety notches and the over hang for the sight, if this might be the cause some how and if so is there a fix. Thank You.

 

[denster]

The type of missfire you mentioned is generally due to the cap not being fully seated on the nipple. The 1851 is no more prone to misfire than any other C&B revolver.

 

[Prairie Dawg]

My 1851s never misfire.
Mine are 100% reliable.
I would not hesitate to shoot them at any match.
(1) Run a fine wire thru the nipple vent before loading.
(2) Change out your nipples to Treso nipples (consistent cone dimensions and small vent hole)
(3) Use Remington #10 caps, seated with a dowel after you put them on.
This will cure your ignition problems.

Remmie hammers go deeper through the hammer slot.
Colt hammers don't go as far.
I have about 16 Colts & Colt repros & they are all 100% reliable.
All wear Treso nips and I use nothing but Remington #10 caps.
And I shoot them at matches almost every weekend.
--Dawg

 

[Fingers McGee]

What Prairie Dawg said +1

In addition, fill the slot in the hammer face with JB Weld or somrthing similat to keep the hammer from pulling spent caps off the nipple.

 

[Hellgate]

What Fingers said.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

What HellGate said.

 

[junkman_01]

What denster, Fingers and Hellgate said! (so there)

 

[Noz]

I also agree!

 

[Hellgate]

To give due credit: Noz is the originator of the idea to fill in the hammer safety notch. Fingers proposed the fix on the SASS Wire to others after hearing it from Noz and I had it published in the Cowboy Chronicle. A corroboration to spread the "good word" if there ever was. It is working for me just fine.

 

[Tinpan58]

Thanks for the info, I use a needle and poke it thru the holes before loading and have a wood stick for seating. I have a rebuild kit one the way from cabelas just to have on hand and think I will try the jb weld to fill the gap on the extra hammer, also looking at the treso nipples, just not sure the best place to get them, looks like the possible shop, tack of the wolf and jedediah star trading co. carrie them, they all say #11 caps but some other treads I have been looking say #10 work on then, so I will give it a try want this pistol to be the best it can be, I like it allot Thanks again!

 

[Pyro]

I've never had one misfire shooting my 1851.
Ever.

 

[Prairie Dawg]

Yup.
Fergot about the hammer face mod--all my Colt repros have that too.

Tinpan--Treso nips & Remington #10 caps = complete reliability.
I buy mine from The Possible Shop.
--Dawg

 

[Tinpan58]

Thanks Prairie Dawg I see allot of people say the possible shop i’ll give them a try. So far I have only purchased from cabelas and midway, great service from both of them.

 

[Jim K]

The originals had a great reputation for reliability, and the same goes for well made copies. Just takes more user care in loading than a fixed cartridge revolver.

Jim