Cap Jam Fix On Colt Pocket Models

[Dude]

Thanks, Bad Karma. It seems that data should be available somewhere. Or, it might be a good project experimenting how small before unreliable ignition. Since it's not a convoluted ignition path like most rifles, perhaps even smaller than .024" would work. Perhaps try .020"?

 

[Bad Karma]

A small jet of flame is all that’s required. I don’t know why .20 wouldn’t work.

 

[M. De Land]

A small jet of flame is all that’s required. I don’t know why .20 wouldn’t work.

I'll do some measuring with numbered drills on the current nipples I have, factory and after market. Could someone with an original take some measurements the same way?

 

[tx_basser]

Been shooting Colts since the 1980's and the only thing that stopped Cap Jams all together was installing the cap rake. I also put in SlixShot nipples so all of my Colts use #11 caps so I don't have to deal with 10's.

 

[Dude]

I think I measured the SlixShots and they were also quite large. I've got the idea the current specs were derived from originals which were, most likely, worn out. Measuring originals, unless new and unfired, probably wouldn't be very helpful.

I'm currently reading "Colts Revolver" and it's got patent drawings. One of them shows the arbor solidly contacting the well. Perhaps there's one on the nipples. I'll have to search.

 

[Dude]

Here's a past thread on this topic: https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/percussion-nipple-hole-size.9168/

In that thread it's said that .030" was found to be a good size, however Idaho Lewis stated .024" was ideal. This was for rifles. As I recall, Sam Colt had something to do with creating a funnel shape in the flash channel rather than a straight-through hole. Percussion technology was pretty new when he created the revolver and he was quite the inventor. Cap strength (strong charge) and flash hole diameter appear to go hand in hand.

 

[M. De Land]

Here's a past thread on this topic: https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/percussion-nipple-hole-size.9168/

In that thread it's said that .030" was found to be a good size, however Idaho Lewis stated .024" was ideal. This was for rifles. As I recall, Sam Colt had something to do with creating a funnel shape in the flash channel rather than a straight-through hole. Percussion technology was pretty new when he created the revolver and he was quite the inventor. Cap strength (strong charge) and flash hole diameter appear to go hand in hand.

Giovanni Venturi (Italian physicist) discovered the Venturi effect and Colt probably used it in his nipples ,
Checking an original will still give a pretty good idea as the orifice erodes oblong but can still give a pretty good idea when checked with a numbered drill base.
The drill base needs to be mic'ed for an accurate read.