Leaving nipples in?

[Venom007]

I have a question about cleaning a black powder revolver cylinder. Do you have to take the nipples out every single time? I cleaned my Remy 58 cylinder the other night and since my nipple wrench broke (cheap Traditions brand garbage) I just spent some more time with q-tips and it is now clean as a whistle.

Do you really have to take the nipples out each time?

 

[44 Dave]

Put some anti-seize or choke grease on the threads and only take them out occasionally.

 

[Navy Six 2]

Boy, are you going to get both sides of this question, and the opinions will be from people who have many years experience. There can be a long list of both pros and cons. You did not mention if your Remington was new or nearly so. If that is the case, and the nipples have never been out of the cylinder before, do yourself a real favor by getting them out now. Then re-install with something on the threads--Ballistol, gun oil, anti-seize--they all work well for getting the nipples out the next time. And there will be a next time. It has been my experience that guns coming from the factory have very little to no oil on the nipple threads, even though the rest of the gun is gooped up with oil. Compound that with the fact these guns have been sitting in a shipping container for who knows how long. In some of new guns the nipples will come right out, and as you've experienced, some not. I had one new 1851 Navy two years ago that four nipples came right out. The other two, from the same cylinder, required, well, I'm still trying to calm down.
The nipples in your Remington will be harder and harder to remove as you use the gun because no matter how tight they are screwed in, blackpowder fouling, moisture, etc. will work their way down on to those threads.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

I remove mine every time as i don't want to fight with them. Anti seize is an excellent idea though a bit messy. Anything to help with removal later on down the road.

 

[Tommygunn]

I just remove and clean each nipple and the socket each use. I like clean BP rdvolvers. They're pretty. So are dirty ones .... just not so much ......

 

[Venom007]

Boy, are you going to get both sides of this question, and the opinions will be from people who have many years experience. There can be a long list of both pros and cons. You did not mention if your Remington was new or nearly so. If that is the case, and the nipples have never been out of the cylinder before, do yourself a real favor by getting them out now. Then re-install with something on the threads--Ballistol, gun oil, anti-seize--they all work well for getting the nipples out the next time. And there will be a next time. It has been my experience that guns coming from the factory have very little to no oil on the nipple threads, even though the rest of the gun is gooped up with oil. Compound that with the fact these guns have been sitting in a shipping container for who knows how long. In some of new guns the nipples will come right out, and as you've experienced, some not. I had one new 1851 Navy two years ago that four nipples came right out. The other two, from the same cylinder, required, well, I'm still trying to calm down.
The nipples in your Remington will be harder and harder to remove as you use the gun because no matter how tight they are screwed in, blackpowder fouling, moisture, etc. will work their way down on to those threads.

Oh god, not good I have them soaking in liquid wrench penetrating oil right now. Bought replacement wrenches from Track of the Wolf. The Traditions ones from the store I could tore itself apart after getting two nipples out, horrible quality. The ones from Track should be here Monday those wrenches are really good I've used them on Colts before (I got the smaller Remy style this time, actually two of them just in case).

 

[Slamfire]

I am a big fan of anti seize. I use it on the gas cylinder lock screws of my M1's and M1a's. Just had the opportunity to break loose some automobile suspension bolts that I gooped up with anti seize over thirty years ago. Each one broke easy, the shafts above the nuts were rusted, but the area coated with anti seize were not. Once you get those nipples free, coat the threads with anti seize. You can buy a big can at Auto Zone, any auto parts store. Will last you almost forever.

 

[Venom007]

I am a big fan of anti seize. I use it on the gas cylinder lock screws of my M1's and M1a's. Just had the opportunity to break loose some automobile suspension bolts that I gooped up with anti seize over thirty years ago. Each one broke easy, the shafts above the nuts were rusted, but the area coated with anti seize were not. Once you get those nipples free, coat the threads with anti seize. You can buy a big can at Auto Zone, any auto parts store. Will last you almost forever.

Sounds good I'll do that for sure.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I learned a long time ago to pull the nipples as part of routine cleaning.

 

[Venom007]

I learned a long time ago to pull the nipples as part of routine cleaning.

Yes but if one's wrench is busted, will it ruin the gun to leave them in during cleaning?

 

[entropy]

Yes but if one's wrench is busted, will it ruin the gun to leave them in during cleaning?

Buy a new wrench; better yet, two. You can make them out of Grade 5 or 8 bolts.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I've learned it's best to completely disassemble BP revolvers for cleaning.

 

[Venom007]

Buy a new wrench; better yet, two. You can make them out of Grade 5 or 8 bolts.

No kidding I don't HAVE a wrench but shot the gun, cleaned it as best I can and put penetrant on the nipples for when I get a wrench. Hope its okay...

 

[Eyrie G. Dogg]

This is a good topic and has been the genesis of many a dust-up.

Mr. Venom - the cones will almost certainly be ok until you replace the wrench but when you get it - use it. I remove the cones and clean the threads after each session. I do that because I’ll be in cleaning mode, the cylinder is off the gun anyway and the threads really are dirty ... plus it’s easy.

Never had any trouble removing the nipples except on brand new Pietta’s. A little Kroil/Liquid Wrench solved that fine. Like others here, I use a little anti seize before replacing them.

I just spent some more time with q-tips and it is now clean as a whistle.

Except for those threads. Just clean them when you can and in the mean time all will be well.

 

[Venom007]

This is a good topic and has been the genesis of many a dust-up.

Mr. Venom - the cones will almost certainly be ok until you replace the wrench but when you get it - use it. I remove the cones and clean the threads after each session. I do that because I’ll be in cleaning mode, the cylinder is off the gun anyway and the threads really are dirty ... plus it’s easy.

Never had any trouble removing the nipples except on brand new Pietta’s. A little Kroil/Liquid Wrench solved that fine. Like others here, I use a little anti seize before replacing them.



Except for those threads. Just clean them when you can and in the mean time all will be well.

Thank you, Dogg. You have given me some reassurance indeed. They're soaking in liquid wrench so hopefully when the nipple wrenches get here they'll come out okay.

 

[Venom007]

Well the wrenches came today. 4 nipples out, 2 stuck so bad ! !

Ended up chewing the sides of the nipple... might be no hope left.

Send a letter to Uberti customer service, going to send in this cylinder to repair center on east coast. Should not have this problem on a brand new gun. Why the Italians have to jack them down so hard, and with no anti-sieze, is beyond me. Going any further could damage cylinder and void warranty. Oh well, am going on vacation soon so won't be able to shoot for a few weeks anyway. Thanks I'll post when it is back hopefully all will be well the gun looks incredible and I had so much fun shooting it ! !

 

[Navy Six 2]

Before you try taking the nipples out, clamp the cylinder down in a vise(padded jaws) so it doesn't wiggle around. That will free up both hands.Dixie Gun Works also sell a small device that is nothing more than a flat plate of steel with two padded steel pins. When the cylinder is installed it will stay in place. It is inexpensive and portable. I'm going to buy another as they are handy.
As you have found out, most nipple wrenches are junk. I finally followed someones advice and made one out of a 5mm(3/16 also) 1/4 in. drive deep well socket.That cured the problems as you could then use a breaker bar with steady pressure. Make sure the socket is quality American tools. The off-shore junk will turn in the same performance as the lousy nipple wrench. Others mentioned doing the same with grade 8 bolts. All the aggravation getting some of these nipples out is why I routinely clean and oil the threads of mine each time the gun is shot.

 

[denster]

A definite plus on the cylinder fixture from Dixie and others or simple to make. Keeps the cylinder held solid without potential damage from the vise. Another useful tool is a 1/4" drive impact driver. Used to be only harbor freight had them but now Amazon and eBay only about 14 bucks. Great tool for black powder revolver work as it will take any insert screwdriver bit. Great for frozen frame screws for nipples make a wrench from a 1/4" drive 3/16 nutdriver bit. A few drops of liquid wrench and moderate taps on the impact driver will back out nipples that even resist the socket method. Same for frozen screws and no more buggered screw heads.

 

[tranders]

I pull the nipples after every range use.

I made a nipple wrench out of a 1/4 drive 5mm socket. Took my Dremel tool and cut the slot to fit the nipples. Have not had anymore problem removing nipples.

 

[DD4lifeusmc]

stuck nipple wrap the cylinder to protect it put it in vice block of wood against cylinder face to stop slipping down/
use a nipple wrench small hammer and pliers
grip wrench from side with pliers put wrench on nipple as you hit wrench with hammer twist with pliers
you will want a good quality wrench as a cheap one will likely chip a corner off it
there's other ways but this is easy and no special tools except a vice