NAA super companion reliability issue

[Busyhands94]

I'm having a little bit of a problem here, my NAA super Companion isn't as reliable as it was a while ago. i think it's either the mainspring or the nipples. i have to seat them firmly but even then they don't go off.

today i took my mom shooting (she had a great time and was like Annie Oakley with that Remington) but when she shot my Remmy i liked having my Super Companion loaded up so i could shoot. sometimes i would only have one misfire, sometimes i would have all five refuse to shoot until the second time around. what could be the problem here? i am using good fresh caps and they always go off in my 1858 Remington Texas. never had a misfire with that gun. i had to disassemble my NAA a couple weeks ago, the hand spring needed to be replaced. i cleaned all the garbage and residue out, so i don't know what the problem is with this thing. I'm cleaning the firing pin like i always do after each shooting session, as well as thoroughly cleaning the gun. i have used the process of elimination and found it is either the nipples or the mainspring. now, how can i tell if the nipples are goofed up?

Sincerely, Levi

 

[col.lemat]

goofy nipples?

First make sure that the hole is clear. Then back them out of the cylender one turn & try a cap. If that dont make it pop you need a stronger spring? or have something between the hammer and frame.

 

[MCgunner]

My bet is the nipples need replacement, cheap and available from NAA. They DO wear with use. Takes quite a bit of use, though. As the previous poster mentioned, there could also be some little piece of cap or something betwixt frame and hammer. Don't take much on these tiny little things. Anyway, I'd chat via e-m with NAA about it. They're great folks and will help you out. You can even send THAT gun back to 'em without all the UPS fees and stuff, I think, just go to the PO. Better check on that one, though. I'm thinkin' my last couple of BP revolvers came via USPS. Anyway, I've got one coming now and the shipping is cheap.

 

[MCgunner]

Mmm, you don't have a spare cylinder to try? I have a spare that I bought for a reload when I carry the little fart. It never gets fired, so the nipples will stay fresh on it.

 

[Busyhands94]

i was going to get one, but Cabelas had to have their big revolver sale and i got a little distracted by that, a good thing if you look at the fact i have a new gun! I would rather buy a shiny new gun than a new cylinder most the time. i think i will buy some new nipples and a mainspring just in case, i shoot that pistol more than i probably should, enough to iron out a scratch in the bore and make it shiny again. enough to be able to hit a can from 50 feet, I'm getting pretty deadly with that little thing! by the way i found that if you keep it at .22 LR velocities and use grease on the cylinder you can get great accuracy!

thanks for the advice MCgunner! i will contact NAA and see what i can do to fix this! i am pretty sure it is the nipples at this point. i mean it's no easier to cock the hammer. i think it just needs new nipples or something. i also gave it a nice long solvent soak, I'll shoot some pellet propelled caps to see if it makes the reliability any better. i found for keeping fouling soft on these little guns you can actually rub a little blackpowder lube on the inside of the frame and over the flat firing pin, it really helps because the fouling doesn't have such a clean oil-free surface to stick to. it's kinda like when you put a little soap on the bottom of the pot before you cook on a campfire. it makes it unable to stick to the steel. this also works on other blackpowder gun parts

 

[arcticap]

Since you have both the Companion and the Super Companion, why not simply switch the nipples and see if that helps. That is if the nipples are the same.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, I got bit by that Cabela's sale, too. I'm awaiting my new '58 Remmy which is on back order. :banghead:

 

[Jaymo]

I was going to get a Pietta .36 cal Remington from the cabela's sale.
But then someone posted about this unfired 1976 ROA Liberty model they found for a good price. So much for that.

 

[MCgunner]

I have an ROA, but I could always use another. I'd like to save up some beans again and get me another stainless. Mine got stolen in a home burglary while my wife and I were at work. I like the blue one I have now, though.

On the subject, thoes nipples in that companion will fite the supercompanion, I'm quite sure.

 

[Busyhands94]

the nipples are interchangeable, however i needed to shorten the companion nipples on a lath to make them work, the cylinder wouldn't go in otherwise. if i use them they will still misfire, i need new ones. besides, this is just another excuse to get some shiny new gun paraphernalia. i think i will be better off with new ones than old messed up ones.

 

[Busyhands94]

Well now, I ordered a new mainspring and some nipples and got it not too long ago, turns out all it needed was a little tune up! It also seems #11 Remington caps do work well, better than #10s.

 

[robhof]

Sometimes it's the simplest thing; my ROA and SuperCompanion both prefer #11's, but all my Italian's work best with #10's, which is a pain as only one place sells #10's locally.

 

[[email protected]]

They just need to be sharpned. This happens to all nipples over time. One of
my threads on here was how to sharpen nipples.

 

[Busyhands94]

It's funny how such a small thing can cause a SNAFU, it's kinda silly actually.

If they don't sell them locally (or they are $8 a tin) then just order them! I ordered 1000 caps, they should be here within the hour if I'm lucky. Powder valley is a pleasure to deal with as well!