Better nipples for a Dragoon?

[fireman1]

I picked up an Uberti Dragoon recently. I enjoy shooting it but capping it it a real pain.

The factory nipples are very tall. CCI #10 and #11 fit on some but not others. I cannot make them fit even with a wooden dowel. Even the ones that take a cape barely clear the recoil shield. Some don't and they cylinder won't rotate. I could file down the top of the nipple but that would be inconsistent. I realize that I could also dremel out the cap cut out but that would look like crap. Remington #10 fit loose, in fact I can push them down so far that the cap splits on the side. Not sure that is a great solution too.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[William P Sepessy]

I have two Uberti 2nd model Dragoons and Walkers. Both take the same factory nipples. I did not encounter the problems of clearance you describe using the factory nipples, but I soon changed them because their machining tolerances were not uniform in length. One or two out of the six ended up a little short which caused occassional ignition problems. Both Slix-shot and Tresso nipples cured that problem.

 

[fireman1]

Thanks for the info. What caps are you using on the Slix-shot and the Tresso nipples?

 

[William P Sepessy]

Fireman1, I have been using Remington #10s. They fit perfectly on the Slix-shots. They also fit the Tresso's, but not quite as snug. The Remington #10s are the closest I've found to fitting any and all nipples. Also you mentioned the clearance issue. Many of the other brand of caps(CCI) have a thicker level of priming compound which means the seated cap sits higher on the nipple, bringing the cap closer to the recoil shield. This may not be a bad thing if your pistol has loose tolerances/wear. However, in your case the Remington 10s would be a good bet. I know all brands of caps are difficult to find right now. Good luck shooting your Dragoon. Despite its size, the Dragoon still has that "Colt feel" in the hand and soaks up recoil well. If I couldn't shoot my favorite Navy models, the Dragoon would be my next pick.

 

[fireman1]

William....thanks for the info. I have a few hundred Rem #10. It would be worth getting the Slix-Shot. From your description the Tresso sound smaller than the Slix. I think they would work with the CCI....I have lots of CCI.

 

[ernbar]

I have Slixshots on my other three Piettas and work great with 1025s, Winchester 10 and Remington 11 caps. I need to get some for my Dragoon that has bad cap jams.

 

[ernbar]

Remington #10 fit loose

Apparently Uberti has problems having the nipples the same size in their guns. Remington 10s are a perfect fit in my Dragoon but do have cap jam galore.

 

[ernbar]

Just recently got an Uberti Dragoon and shot it at the range last week but cap jamming is just a PITA to deal with like in every shot. That huge gaping area on the hammer by the frame will allow a boulder to fall in. I think an action shield and Slixshots are the way to go with this one.

 

[Rebel jim]

I shot over 100 rounds through my pietta Griswold and gunnison equipped with slixshots. The only thing close to a cap jam was one cap that fell between the hammer and frame and stopped the hammer. But it never fell into the action area.
I guess you could call that a cap jam, but I turned the gun upside down and it fell out and I was able to complete the cylinder.
So slixshots I think are pretty good, and will be in all my cap and ball revolvers.

 

[Boston Bill]

I have Slixshots on my other three Piettas and work great with 1025s, Winchester 10 and Remington 11 caps. I need to get some for my Dragoon that has bad cap jams.

LOL, in my area all we have are CCI caps. I recently found some Remington caps. I didn't know until I got in this forum that others made caps for revolvers. Yes, for my 1863 Sharps I have some Dynamit Noble No 1081 I got way before Covid. 1,000 for $60 plus tax! Kind of weird we have like no choices.
Same with unmentionable primers. Was mainly CCI. A real lack of brand choice before Covid. Now of course even worse!

 

[user 52391]

ALL my percussion revolvers get Slix-shot nipples...They're a worthwhile investment in my opinion.

 

[2 shots]

dragon nipples?????

 

[borne2fly]

Both my Dragoon and Remington now have nipples for #11 caps. Got them from Track of the Wolf but they’re probably the same as Slixshot. CCI caps fit perfectly, a very slight press fit, they don’t slip off.

 

[ernbar]

ALL my percussion revolvers get Slix-shot nipples...They're a worthwhile investment in my opinion.

Ditto

 

[Stantheman86]

I use Track of the Wolf stainless nipples, or Treso on my revolvers. My Dragoons have ToTW , in the shorter size and my Walkers have Treso's. My 2nd Gen Colt Navy will be getting carbon steel TotW nipples.

I can't get over the hole in the nipple cone on the SlixShots, I don't know why, it's probably just me but I'm also not a CAS shooter who needs them. I have a set I recently bought for my one Dragoon and I'm sitting there admiring the Victorian beauty of that huge piece of iron, and my eye kept seeing the nipples with holes in the sides and I had to take them out. If I had a set for my stainless 1858 I probably wouldn't care. I get odd about things. At least the bronze Tresos look good and darken up with use.

I've had few problems with cap jams with either of them. The TotW nipples keep the popped cap on nicely and let it fall away to the side.

When the stock Pietta nipples on some of my guns burn out, I'll put TotW nipples on them.

 

[LST-1185]

I use Treso nipples for my Dragoons and Walkers and for the smaller frame revolvers I use SlixShots with Remington #10 or Rws #1075 plus.

 

[Ed C.]

On my Walker and Remington I have SlixShots and use CCI #11 or 1075's and seat fine using a small stick. On the 1851 I have Track of the Wolf nipples which I dressed down the diameter just a hair for good easy seating of #11's and that gun shoots almost 100% trouble free concerning cap troubles. This gun would be my choice to take into battle. 30 plus rounds, no cylinder binding, sheds caps well, and with a revised front sight is dead on accurate at 20 yards.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

In the old days chain fires were often caused by using nipples of improper length. Colt made nipples in 2 different sizes, and when those that were too long were used recoil sometimes detonated the cap on an unfired chamber when it slammed into the recoil shield. In a properly set up revolver the hammer should never touch the nipple and should have just enough clearance to detonate the cap. When this happens cap residue is not held down by the hammer and can fall away better, and the main cause of detonation is eliminated. It is easy to use a file to fit nipples to the proper length, and takes a little time to do so but the results are worth it.