Do Slixshot nipples lessen cap jams in Colt style C&B?

[BullRunBear]

I love the handling of my Colt 1851 (Pietta) and 1860 (Uberti) C&B but the cap jams can be annoying. I've seen Mike Beliveau's video on making Colt style repros more reliable and I'll do that. Just wondering if Slixshot nipples are really as effective as their reputation. Any experience with them? Better alternatives? Thanks.

Jeff

 

[TreeMan]

I’ve never tried those nipples so I can’t say how well they work. I have the factory nipples in all of my revolvers. I just make a habit of turning the gun sideways as I’m cocking it for the next shot. Caps just fall out of the side onto the ground. I’d rather they fall off that way than have to pry the fired ones off with a pocket knife. With the colt revolvers it’s the nature of the beast with cap fragments.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The Slix Shot nipples have a smaller vent hole so you get less blow back thus the cap isn’t damaged by the charge. Seems to help as does putting a dab of JB Weld in the notch in the hammer face. Then you don’t have to shoot getto style!

 

[CaptainKirk]

What ELIMINATES cap jams on a Colt is an action shield and cap rake. I've had these installed on several of my revolvers by a well-renowned BP gunsmith and they are the cat's pajamas. Zero frag incidents on those guns since installation.

 

[Thomas.bill92]

What ELIMINATES cap jams on a Colt is an action shield and cap rake. I've had these installed on several of my revolvers by a well-renowned BP gunsmith and they are the cat's pajamas. Zero frag incidents on those guns since installation.

Well that's a neat idea, just watched a video on cap rakes. I don't think I'm ready to venture to that point but it sure seems like a good fix.

 

[CaptainKirk]

It's the only permanent fix I know of.

 

[hrt4me]

What ELIMINATES cap jams on a Colt is an action shield and cap rake. I've had these installed on several of my revolvers by a well-renowned BP gunsmith and they are the cat's pajamas. Zero frag incidents on those guns since installation.

who is your "well-renowned" BP gunsmith?

 

[wb78963]

Every gun in my rack except two have Slixshot nipples and cap rakes. Cap jams are rare. A pair of 1860 Army revolvers so outfitted have a total of right at 1000 rounds (I keep a barrel record) with out a cap jam even using CCI#11 and RWS 1075 caps. Occasionally a gun a jams when a cap sticks in a position that it hits the water table. Revolvers so equipped are about as reliable as a suppository gun.
That is my experience after many ,many rounds through several different Uberti and Pietta guns.
Respectfully
Bunk

 

[FlyingMountainBoomer]

Slix shots and deburring/smoothing the hammer face have worked well for me. Still get an occasional jam, but the guns were almost unshootable before I made those changes.

 

[Whughett]

who is your "well-renowned" BP gunsmith?

Google Goonsgunworks. There are others on the THR black powder forum.

 

[wb78963]

Yes that is Mike Brackett Goons Gun Works. My experience is he is slow as molasses in January, but turns out a gun that is extremely reliable.
I have two pair done by him and they are as reliable as my sidearm that came along some 50+ years later that was designed by a gunsmith in Utah.
Is that OK Zonie?
respectfully
Bunk

 

[jefair1]

What is a cap rake? I have never heard that term before. Pic if possible.

 

[bigstick6017555]

Google cap rake and it jumps right out at you

 

[bigstick6017555]

Here is some what of a way to do it, plenty more if you search.

 

[BullRunBear]

Thanks for the info, folks. I'll give the SlixShot nipples a try and look into the cap rake. Fortunately, my ROAs and Rogers and Spencer don't have the jamming problem. And it will give me something to do sitting down, besides reading, while recovering from surgery. (Minor but necessary.)

Jeff

 

[bigstick6017555]

https://www.slixprings.com/proddetail.php?prod=SliXshot-Black-Powder-Nipples
The Slick Shot nipples are vented to the side so it does not force caps into hammer face, thus not pulling off caps. Polishing hammer face helps some what but not a cure all.

 

[CaptainKirk]

who is your "well-renowned" BP gunsmith?

Not to be a "name-dropper", but yes...as the others said, it was Mike Brackett at Goon's Gun Works. What totally makes the difference is the action shield, which is fairly new. I have several Goon guns and am preparing to send him another shortly.
I don't consider Mike to be "slow", but rather, painstakingly thorough and well worth the wait. Don't expect to have your gun back in a week. Rome wasn't built in a day.

 

[bigstick6017555]

https://www.goonsgunworks.com/services
This will cure your problems but, can be a long wait

 

[CaptainKirk]

Is that OK Zonie?

Unfortunately, Zonie (Jim King) passed away a few days ago...

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/sad-news-zonie-has-passed.135375/page-10#post-1893444

 

[CaptainKirk]

What is a cap rake? I have never heard that term before. Pic if possible.

Cap rake visible in hammer slot (behind nipple)
Action shield is the brass strip at the base of the hammer