Most sensitive percussion caps for light striking pistol?

[Griz44Mag]

I picked up a percussion pistol with a short hammer fall and it does not always set the primer cap off. Is there any one brand of caps that is more sensitive and will go off with a lighter strike?

 

[Juice Jaws]

Check and see if the hammer hits the caps square on their heads. If the hammer is hitting the caps at a angle you will have to re-just the hammer.

 

[nit wit]

Find someone who can heat and bend your hammer.
Nit Wit

 

[Black Hand]

I picked up a percussion pistol with a short hammer fall and it does not always set the primer cap off. Is there any one brand of caps that is more sensitive and will go off with a lighter strike?

You may need to turn down your nipple so the caps fit properly. Sometimes, with a larger nipple, the cap doesn't seat and it takes a couple of strikes before it will fire. Just takes a few minutes - chuck your nipple in a drill, reduce the diameter of the cone gradually with a file and finish with sandpaper. Check fit along the way.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Guys,
I am not looking for any more nipple or hammer or angle corrections. I have already been down those paths, all of them.
My question is what I need information on. Is there any one brand of caps that stands out as being more sensitive and easier to set off? If not, I will likely have to have a new spring made. I was trying to keep the pistol all original and still be able to use it.

 

[JCB]

Griz. To answer your question from my experience I would say no. I’ve shot Remington, cci and rws and I can’t say one particular brand seems to be more sensitive than another. Some burn hotter than others, but I can’t say they go off easier. What may help is to try a different size cap from no. 10 to 11 in the different brands they all fit a little bit different.

 

[hawkeye2]

I have to agree with what JCB says about caps. Is your pistol a side hammer? Finding a stronger spring or having one made would work. Another cure would be to weld up the fullcock notch and cut a new one that would allow the hammer to come back further. My opinion of either is that they are repairs needed to keep the pistol working and that it would still be original. It's like rebuilding the engine in a 69 Camero when it gets so ragged out a VW can show you its taillights. Just doccument the work for the future. If you had a Ruger M77 and the firing pin broke you wouldn't think twice before having it fixed would you?

 

[Griz44Mag]

Griz. To answer your question from my experience I would say no. I’ve shot Remington, cci and rws and I can’t say one particular brand seems to be more sensitive than another. Some burn hotter than others, but I can’t say they go off easier. What may help is to try a different size cap from no. 10 to 11 in the different brands they all fit a little bit different.

Thank you JCB, this answers my question. I have already looked into a replacement spring. I have ordered a nipple with a #10 top and will try that first using a smaller cap. Smaller cap, same hit will produce more pressure on the cap. If that does not improve the bang, then I will relegate the pistol back to the wall display box it came in.
Thank you!

 

[Griz44Mag]

The #10 primer cured the issues I was having. I kinda figured a smaller surface area getting smacked would generate more striking force. I do not plan on shooting this one very much, it's more of an investment. I still wanted it to be fully functional.
Thanks for the assist!