Thompson Hawken nipple and ignition reliability

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Just a caveat......

All T/C Hawken's (and other models) have what's known as a "patent breech", which is a powder chamber that's smaller than the respective bore size - which can load up with fouling and takes special tools (like a properly-sized scraper & bristle brush) to clean.

2cbrdOF.png
 
The "shot out" nipple is giving up too much pressure and consistency that will hurt accuracy. There are more complaints about loss of accuracy than complaints about fouling in the touch hole. The small touch hole in a standard nipple is more than large enough to keep the touch hole clean.
 
I agree. I shot just a cap thru the new nipple I had made by a good fellow named Rick. I shot it at night. Couldnt believe the flame coming out the barrel from just a cap! :shocked2:
 
Just a couple of comments about my sketch that you posted.

First off, you and others can feel free to post it any time you want to. :)

Next, the sections shown depict flintlocks rather than percussion guns.

The flame channel that connects the bottom of the nipple with the area with the powder in it is much longer and usually smaller in diameter than the connecting holes shown in the drawing.

The Thompson Center and Lyman guns use the chambered breech shown in the upper left of the drawing.
Traditions guns use the New CVA style breech.

The "Patent breech" is identified as a modified Nock's Patent Breech.
I don't know of any large commercial company that is making these today.
The only recent ones I know of have been made by custom builders.
 
1. The hole directly under the cap can get clogged with gunk. Clean it with a bristled pipe cleaner.

2. When loading powder lean the rifle lock side down. This will help powder to enter the flame channel.

3. As mentioned previously, remove the nipple and clear the flame channel with a bristled pipe cleaner.
 
sidelock said:
Yep.... That's what D. Boon did after every shot,,,,NOT :bull:
Click to expand...

But of course he did. I wanted to do everything just like he did, including putting the rifle in a camo water resistant zippered tote, loading it into his Dodge Ram pickup and driving home with the AC and Radio on! :blah:
 
After looking at this, I visited a gunsmith I know and looked at some breech plugs.I was amazed at how much smaller the hole in the breech plug was compared to the rifle bore. In 2 plugs from 50 cal barrels, the hole that would be at the bottom of the barrel was less than 1/4 inch. The scraper I have been using is wider than that and I am not sure I have been getting a pipe cleaner past the 2 right angle bends. I may have to rethink my cleaning methods.
 
After sticking a bore camera down the barrel and seeing the same thing, I started carrying a can of electrical contact cleaner. A quick blast down the nipple cleans out everything to the bore. At the range I folow the cleaner with a blast from an air can like the kind you get for computer keyboards. The contact cleaner evaporates almost instantly.
And of course, I checked with the D Boone handbook to make sure that the method was approved first! :v
 
If you read that D. Boone information closely, you'll find your out of luck.

Boone was a died in the wool Freon 12 man and now that they've banned it he's rolling over in his grave. :(

:wink:
 
LOL, I'm sorry for not being a better reenactor. I do so much enjoy the best of both worlds. The saga continues. I spent some time at the range today working on reloading technique and methodology. I received my supply of .490 balls and .018 pre-lubed patches, so I went to give it a try. I was more than pleasantly surprised that the round balls delived better accuracy than the maxi-hunters, at a big plus is they are a whole lot cheaper. Looks like I will be buying a mold. At 112 yards I managed to keep a 4-6 group with 90gr of Goex 2f. I know it can do better, I just need to get my part down. But that is minute of deer. It's pleanty good enough to hunt with. 25 rounds down the tube, 100% reliability. I got the rhythm! Load, shoot, swab with alcohol and Murphys, clean , wipe, blow out the nipple and worm hole with an air can,load and shoot. Repeat as long as needed to relieve stress and build confidence. Thanks to all here for the suggestions and encouragement. Now the bad part. Taking it out of the bag after arriving home I bumped the hammer (that was at half cock) on the workbench and broke a part in the lock. Now I need to find a part or a lock to replace it. Anyone got a lock they don't need for a Thompson Hawken? GAD ZOOKS -sometimes I am such a clutz. I am looking now to try and find parts to get in here before Friday when we leave to go deer hunting. I really wanted to use this Hawkens.
Griz...
 
necchi said:
Griz44Mag said:
I bumped the hammer (that was at half cock) on the workbench and broke a part in the lock. Now I need to find a part or a lock to replace it.
Click to expand...
What part?
Anyone got a lock they don't need for a Thompson Hawken?
Click to expand...
Maybe,,
Click to expand...
I don't have a detailed breakout of the assembly, but it's the piece that the hammer spring pushes against. I have not disassembled it yet but it appears to have a shaft on the other end of it. Would you happen to have an exploded view of the lock with part description? I have not found one yet, but after supper I will be digging...
 
Hmmm, Main Spring Guide. Easy fix;

[youtube]JGdAQBsAAzI[/youtube]

The part is available and relatively inexpensive @ around 10-12.
Now all we gotta do is figure out how to get one to ya before Friday at the peak of the post Black Friday/Cyber Monday shipping season!
 

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