This is probably a stupid question...But

[Conservidave]

Let me start by saying i'm a Black powder Noob.

I just purchased what I thought was a Traditions 1860 Army in 44 cal so why is the gun marked Pietta? Instructions booklets for both Traditions and Pietta are in the box as well. The Pietta hand book which was included makes no mention of an 1860 Army version and the Traditions booklet covers nothing model specific, but is more of a guideline for BP safety and loading. What am I missing here? im beginning to think something has been switched at the store or something. Im sure you guys can help me sort this out....Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

Pietta makes the guns in Italy.

Traditions imports them and sells them in the USA.

There are only a handful of manufactures making repro guns in the world, and most of them are in Italy.

American importers can have whatever other info they want stamped on them.

None of the American repro's from Taylor's, Traditions, Buffalo arms, Cimarron, etc. are actually made by them.

rc

 

[Conservidave]

Thanks rc,

I should have known it was some sort of import thing.....

another question I have is why are some of the caps not firing on the first swing? next time around they will fire though.... im using a CCI #10 cap, should I try a #11 for a better fit possibly? So far im loving the BP action!

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[rcmodel]

Cap & nipple size is not set in stone.

CCI #10 caps may be slighter tighter then say, Rem #10's.

If you cannot seat them fully on the nipples by hand?
I would try another brand #10's before switching to CCI #11's that very likely will be too loose.

rc

 

[Fingers McGee]

CCI 10s are the smallest caps you can get nowdays. Try CCI 11s or Remington #10s. You'll probably have a better outcome. Just FYI:

 

[Foto Joe]

The age old problem of ill fitting caps is nothing new and Fingers suggestion and info is spot on. I will add that if you're going to become completely hooked on this pastime you will eventually consider looking into aftermarket nipples for most of your shooting irons. The consistency of Treso (Ampco Bronze) or stainless steel nipples usually is far superior to what ever got screwed into the holes in Italy. Play with different caps if you can find them but if that doesn't do the trick head for Track of the Wolf or another supplier and spend a few bucks to put higher quality ones on. Do be aware that "pinching" an oversize cap will work but someday, somewhere you might find out what a chainfire feels like because of it. Likewise be VERY cautious regarding caps that don't seat and stay on during recoil or the results might be similar.

Have fun with it and spend every spare dime like the rest of us that we can squirrel away from our spouses on guns that go BOOM instead of bang.

 

[Conservidave]

Thanks for the info Gents....

Im afraid i'm already smitten by the Black Powder Bug. I actually shot better groups with this gun right out of the box than I normally do with my other well practiced guns.

For the primers, the only other kind I can find locally are "Vorderladen- (some thing german) in a size #11. They seem to be a fairly loose fit. I'll keep an eye out for the Rems or CCI 11's.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Fingers McGee]

Are they Vorderlader-Zundhutchen No.1075 Dynamit Nobel in a red container? They are also know as RWS 1075s and should work just fine.

 

[Conservidave]

Yes they are the 1075's in the red case, I tested a few by hand with the cylinder out of the frame and they felt a bit loose. I will give them a try next weekend. Local shop has a bunch of them that just sit on the shelf so I figured they were crap (bought some anyway) hopefully they work and im back in business.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, the reason small caps have misfires is that they are not fully seated. The first hammer blow seats them but that cushions the hammer blow so they don't fire. The second hammer blow fires them. The problem can be corrected by making sure the cap is fully seated, even if it requires more effort.

Jim