Would you trust these threads?

Jethroat · Sep 30, 2024

I'll try to keep the backstory short. Was given this TC renegade from my (step) grandpa's estate. The person who passed it to me I trusted to know what was what, and so I didn't think twice about using the pack of nipples they gave me. A few years pass and I decide to get it sighted in before WI deer season.

On my third or fourth shot, I feel some sort of blowback, I'm dazed for a moment and then realize my hat is 5 feet behind me, the hammer has been thrown backwards denting the stock, and there is no longer a nipple in the gun. I looked and never found the nipple. Yikes, that pack of nipples was for a tradition's or some other brand, and I now have a problem on my hands.

I took to investigating. The tumbler was shattered, and I read about oversized nipples from TOW. I ordered a new lock, and a .005 and .010 oversized nipples. I was able to get the .010 nipple threaded, and I've attached some photos below. Would you trust these threads with a hunting load? Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

P.s. I've already checked a for a squib, and I do not see any bulging

Boomerang · Sep 30, 2024

Traditions uses a metric thread M6x1. I think Thompson Center uses 1/4"-28.

BoomStick · Sep 30, 2024

Threads on gun and nipple have to match. I wouldn't use an oversized nipple unless the drum has been oversized.

The one that took your hat might have been way undersized, else there wouldn't be much thread left in the drum. Most TC are 1/4-28 out of the factory so check to see if that's still the case.

2 shots · Sep 30, 2024

tracks oversize nipples are made to use their oversize taps. they are not self tapping threads.

Stykbow · Sep 30, 2024

I’ve been there @Jethroat. Buy a new oversized nipple, drill and tap to match new nipple. It’ll most likely just blow out again if you don’t.

Jethroat · Sep 30, 2024

BoomStick said:
Threads on gun and nipple have to match. I wouldn't use an oversized nipple unless the drum has been oversized.

The one that took your hat might have been way undersized, else there wouldn't be much thread left in the drum. Most TC are 1/4-28 out of the factory so check to see if that's still the case.

It definitely was 1/4-28. But that nipple that ejected took "the point" off the threads in the drum. At the time I initially researched (a few years ago, I'm just now revisiting this project) I was recommended to just buy and oversized nipple and thread it in.

I'm just concerned about the thread engagement at this point.

2 shots said:
tracks oversize nipples are made to use their oversize taps. they are not self tapping threads.

I did not know that, maybe I should get that tap, so that it does not gall the threads

Phil Coffins · Sep 30, 2024

No, don’t use that nipple and the breech threads are not to be trusted! You need a machinist or gunsmith to do the job or risk losing another hat or far worse.

waksupi · Sep 30, 2024

Looks like grandpa belonged to the "I take the nipple out every time I clean" bunch. This is the results.

Iceman · Sep 30, 2024

Phil Coffins said:
No, don’t use that nipple and the breech threads are not to be trusted! You need a machinist or gunsmith to do the job or risk losing another hat or far worse.

This is the advice I would follow, take it to a professional.

fleener · Sep 30, 2024

I had a nipple blow out on me once. Gun smith that did not do good work. Took my hat off of me. Luckly that was it for me.

Fleener

2 shots · Sep 30, 2024

Iceman said:
This is the advice I would follow, take it to a professional.

most i have talked too will not do that due to liability issues.

Jethroat · Sep 30, 2024

2 shots said:
most i have talked too will not do that due to liability issues.

I am thinking I will buy the tap set and do it myself. I also can't imagine a gunsmith in my area, specialized enough to have the taps, would charge me less than $100 for the job. And maybe I can sell the taps afterwards to recoup some of my money.

William O. · Oct 1, 2024

Jethroat said:
I'll try to keep the backstory short. Was given this TC renegade from my (step) grandpa's estate. The person who passed it to me I trusted to know what was what, and so I didn't think twice about using the pack of nipples they gave me. A few years pass and I decide to get it sighted in before WI deer season.

On my third or fourth shot, I feel some sort of blowback, I'm dazed for a moment and then realize my hat is 5 feet behind me, the hammer has been thrown backwards denting the stock, and there is no longer a nipple in the gun. I looked and never found the nipple. Yikes, that pack of nipples was for a tradition's or some other brand, and I now have a problem on my hands.

I took to investigating. The tumbler was shattered, and I read about oversized nipples from TOW. I ordered a new lock, and a .005 and .010 oversized nipples. I was able to get the .010 nipple threaded, and I've attached some photos below. Would you trust these threads with a hunting load? Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

P.s. I've already checked a for a squib, and I do not see any bulging
View attachment 352177 View attachment 352178 View attachment 352179 View attachment 352180 View attachment 352181

In a word, no. I would opt for a new breach plug if it were my hat.

Colonial Boy · Oct 1, 2024

That nipple with its flat base screwed into a hole that has no face for it to contact is a recipe for disaster.
A nipple that screws into the type of bolster threads illustrated should be bored out so that pressure is forcing the threads to tighter engagement.

Please excuse the drawing.

kyron4 · Oct 1, 2024

waksupi said:
Looks like grandpa belonged to the "I take the nipple out every time I clean" bunch. This is the results.

See the post on the froze up and stuck nipple for the guy that belonged to the " I never take the nipple out to clean " bunch.

sussexmuzllodr · Oct 1, 2024

I have 30 year old new Englander nipple comes out every cleaning.
dab of white grease when it goes back in.
Still safe and solid after all these years.
Some may say never take it out. I disagree. Holy Black being corrosive will eventually creep into the threading so that comes the time you have to take it out it is putting pressure on threading that may already be compromised.

YMMV

Hatchet Jack · Oct 1, 2024

I had the same thing happen to me with a TC White Mountain Carbine that I bought off a guy several years back. Before shooting it, I replaced the nipple with a brand new 1/4 x 28 Tres Ampco nipple. When I shot for the first time the nipple flew back thru my hair missing my scalp.(thank God) The hammer flew back denting my stock as well.
I ordered a .255 tap and a .260 tap from TOW. I also ordered some new .260 nipples. I used the .255 tap first, followed up with the .260 tap. The new .260 nipples fit great and my WMC shoots great.

Okie Hog · Oct 1, 2024

waksupi said:
ooks like grandpa belonged to the "I take the nipple out every time I clean" bunch. This is the result

What sussexmuzllodr said.

There is nothing with removing the nipple every time the gun is cleaned.

Grandpa stuck a metric threaded nipple into a 1/4-28 threaded hole. i've fixed numerous buggered TC rifles whose owners installed a metric nipple.

2 shots · Oct 1, 2024

also its when you dont remove and clean / lube that things go bad, then the next guy tries to remove it for cleaning and pulls the threads. once they are corroded in place things can go bad. i have seen several t/c barrels with bad threads because of that.

Boomerang · Oct 1, 2024

I take my nipple out every time I clean it. I use Teflon thread tape on the nipple threads and lightly snug the nipple down. I've been doing this forever and there is no wear on the threads. They still look brand new.

Would you trust these threads?

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