TOW vs SlixShot nipples for 1851 ?

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

kyron4

50 Cal.
Joined
Dec 25, 2021
Messages
1,352
Reaction score
2,758
Location
Indiana
I recently got a pietta 1851 in 36 caliber and I'm slowly getting things needed for it (balls, wads, wrench, etc) and from what I've read replacing the factory nipples is a good idea. I was planning on getting the SlixShot nipples but saw Track of the Wolf sells some hardened and stainless nipples are suppose to work well with CCI #11 caps and prevent cap jams. Are the TOW nipples as good as the SlixShots ? Already got most of my supplies in the cart at TOW and it would be more convenient to just add these nipples if they work well.
 
I don’t have any experience with any other brand of nipples. My 7 bp revolvers all have SlixShot nipples. I use RWS 1075 caps and I am satisfied with them. I always point my colt revolvers skyward while I am cocking the hammer. It is a habit I learned years ago and it works for me. I don’t get any cap jams.
 
I had Slix Shot on a 58 NMA. I was advised to use the shorter ones (for another gun but Slix Shot said more correct).

I had no better results with those than the factory cones.

The longer ones that are the standard selection may be better. I sold the 58 so am adrift on Cones right now.

Slix Shot has the holes in the side to relieve a cap blast back (in theory). Frankly I would try the caps you have and shoot them till they submit and then buy one of the two. For an iffy gain, save the money right now. I don't see it as a have to. I am shooting the factory cones on the 47 Walker and the ROA.

No experience with TOW. The Slix Shot quality is first class. Their Cone tool is fantastic. It looks odd but it fits in the hand really nicely. Delighted with that tool - far better than the cheap ones, the materials is a class or two better and no distorting on the contact surfaces.
 
In the event I’ve felt the need to make a change I’ve been using Treso cones. A couple of years ago I bought a few extra sets I haven’t used. They will long outlast anything else going, certainly they’ll outlast me.
 
Tow has a smaller bottom hole and no holes in the cone.
Other than that both work well on all the pistols I have put them on.
 
I have both Slix and Track on a dozen or so cap guns and both work "with equal enthusiasm". Do have one '51 Navy 44 with Tresco's, all work as designed. Reference all of the nipple manufacturers advising they were designed for use with CCI #11 caps, they do work well, but Remington #10's work even better IMO and shooting over the last 5-6 years or so with the various nipples and caps (about the time I switched over from factory nipples).

Rem 10's have a longer skirt than CCI 11's and fit down over the nipples a bit more allowing them to really hug the nipple before firing and they seem to stay on better after firing. FWIW RWS 1075's are similar in dimensions to CCI 11's and I've never had a problem with them. Dirty little secret is the factory nipples excluding a few instances worked, always fired off the charge, using proper caps stayed on well before and after firing, just sayin'!

Bottom line ifin were to walk into a business selling percussion caps and they had large inventories of Rem 10, CCI 11, and RWS 1075's (at a decent price), I'd buy the Rem 10's without blinking or contemplating the purchase. This coming February will mark 53 years of percussion revolver shooting, been at it awhile!:)
 
My Pietta Remington New Model Army has 5 of the 6 original nipples on it. The only reason the one was replaced is because I dropped one down the garbage disposal many years ago while cleaning. I bought it new in 1980 and the date code is 1978. It's worked for me for 44 years.
 
I recently got a pietta 1851 in 36 caliber and I'm slowly getting things needed for it (balls, wads, wrench, etc) and from what I've read replacing the factory nipples is a good idea. I was planning on getting the SlixShot nipples but saw Track of the Wolf sells some hardened and stainless nipples are suppose to work well with CCI #11 caps and prevent cap jams. Are the TOW nipples as good as the SlixShots ? Already got most of my supplies in the cart at TOW and it would be more convenient to just add these nipples if they work well.
Not sure what the TOTW nipples look like but the Slix shot nipples have the vents that I feel are a good idea to help check hammer blow back and to split the cap cup to make them come off more consistently.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top