Nipple size replica Colt 3rd Dragoon

[phoenix511]

I've a replica Colt 3rd model Dragoon purchased in 1986 from EMF in CA. As best I can tell the nipples are 1/4-28, using a mike & thread gauge. However they are longer that those usually available for other replicas by at least 0.010", thus the hammer would not reach the cap.

Suggestions on where/how to buy appropriate nipples? I like the Ampco/Treso bronze nipples on my Uberti Colt 1860 Army repro and would like some to fit the Dragoon.

 

[Zonie]

Dixie Gunworks says the Walker and the Dragoons use a M6 X .9mm nipple. That would be a .236-28 thread equivalent.

The Dixie part number for the Dragoon nipples is NP2050. This is a steel nipple.

Dixie shows AMPCO nipples in M6 X .75mm for the smaller Colts and Remingtons but they do not list the AMPCO nipple in M6 X .9mm for the Dragoon.

 

[reddog97]

I got mine from the Possibles Shop. Call and talk to Don and he'll get ya the correct ones.

 

[phoenix511]

I rechecked the nipple diameter: 0.244", and the 28tpi guage is a perfect fit for the entire threaded portion, plus a 1/4-28 cap screw fits perfectly.

The length of the original nipple from the bottom of the shoulder to the tip of the tappered portion is 0.425", compared to most pistol nipples of around 0.318" thus the hammer on this pistol wouldn't contact it.

On a hunch I checked some 1/4-28 rifle nipples and they have the same shoulder-to-tip length, and are widely available in the AMPCO material. I'll need to turn down the OD on a rifle-style nipple wrench to fit the recess on the cylinder, but I think I'm in business!

FWIW, this pistol has no maker's marks that I can find, just the typical two Italian Gardone proofs, and manufacturing date code (AM = 1984). Its of very nice quality, good color hardening on the frame, hammer, and loading rod, good polish and blue job on the barrel.

Thanks for the kick-start to re-think this matter.

 

[mykeal]

My 3rd Gen Colt (Sig Series) 3rd Model Dragoon uses 1/4X28 nipples that are 0.633" long overall. My Uberti 2nd Model Dragoon uses 1/4X28 nipples that are 0.610" long overall. I don't have the shoulder to tip measurement handy.

The Treso part number that comes closest is 11-50-01, a 1/4X28 nipple that's 0.635" long overall. Track of the Wolf has that nipple listed as their part number RST-A. They call that, "Nipple, 1/4-28 thread, for standard rifle, #11 cap, Ampco bronze".

Both my Walkers (one Uberti and one ASM) use that same nipple.

M6X0.9 is a good equivalent for 1/4X28, although it is not a standard metric thread.

 

[phoenix511]

FWIW, if you want to install AMPCO/Treso nipples on a replica Colt Dragoon, here's what I did:

Purchased 6 AMPCO rifle nipples in 1/4-28 tpi

Turned down the end of a rifle nipple wrench to 0.350" to fit in the cylinder recess. The pistol-size wrenches are too narrow across the flats to grab the rifle size nipples.

Installed the nipples ... but three of the six nipples really bound up. The three that worked, worked in all 6 cylinders, the 3 that stuck, stuck in all 6, so the problem is in the nipple, not the cylinder.

I ran the 3 through a 1/4-28 die, and they were a little tight, but afterwards installed smoothly. All this makes me wonder why a nearly $6.00/ea item needed to be tweaked to work?

 

[torn moc]

Willie....was that a ASM or Uberti dragoon you were puttin the nipples in?

 

[phoenix511]

Don't know who made it. Can't find a maker's mark anywhere. Looked under the barrel, receiver & barrel sides, and cylinder. Workmanship is Uberti quality, better than the ASM.

If you're thinking the nipples might be metric, the originals mike a 0.245" OD and a perfect 28 tpi on my thread gage, plus a 1/4-28 cap screw fits the nipple hole without binding or slop. I'm the original owner so nobody has done a hack job on it.

Both the three "tight" nipples and the ones that fit easily measured 0.246" OD. I suspect the three tight nipples are within the manufacturers tolerance, but the threads were too shallow or had a slight burr that prevented a nice fit. After running them through the 1/4-28 die, I looked at the threads with an 8X loupe and could see just a few metal shavings and no obvious changes in the pitch.

I've installed 3 sets of AMPCO/Treso nipples on other BP replicas and never encountered this tight fit problem. If the nipple is softer than the cylinder, one could apply muscle to the nipple wrench and let the cylinder re-cut the threads ... but I'm not certain it is and this process could result in a ruined cylinder along with a ruined set of nipples.

 

[mykeal]

Don't ever force an Ampco nipple into a cylinder. It will probably win the 'battle' and damage the cylinder threads. You did the right thing by running the reluctant nipples through a die.

 

[Troy J]

Don't know who made it. Can't find a maker's mark anywhere. Looked under the barrel, receiver & barrel sides, and cylinder. Workmanship is Uberti quality, better than the ASM.

If you're thinking the nipples might be metric, the originals mike a 0.245" OD and a perfect 28 tpi on my thread gage, plus a 1/4-28 cap screw fits the nipple hole without binding or slop. I'm the original owner so nobody has done a hack job on it.

Both the three "tight" nipples and the ones that fit easily measured 0.246" OD. I suspect the three tight nipples are within the manufacturers tolerance, but the threads were too shallow or had a slight burr that prevented a nice fit. After running them through the 1/4-28 die, I looked at the threads with an 8X loupe and could see just a few metal shavings and no obvious changes in the pitch.

I've installed 3 sets of AMPCO/Treso nipples on other BP replicas and never encountered this tight fit problem. If the nipple is softer than the cylinder, one could apply muscle to the nipple wrench and let the cylinder re-cut the threads ... but I'm not certain it is and this process could result in a ruined cylinder along with a ruined set of nipples.

Might sound stupid but did you look under the triggerguard for a makers mark?