Can your main spring be too strong on a percussion? I have one that the caps split wide open when fired. This does make them easier to get off. I'm assuming that a strong spring would wear the nipple out faster but wasn't sure if any other issues could arise.
Too strong of a main spring?
- Thread starter awreis
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If the cup of the face of the hammer has a slit in it, or is oversized, certain caps can fortunately split. But it’s the force of the explosion, the stoutness of the cap, and what surrounds it, that determines if it splits. The force of the hammer blow doesn’t factor in.
Most times when caps split wide open like that it's because of backpressure through the nipple. That's from too heavy a charge or a worn out nipple. It's a huge misconception that you drill out the flash hole for "better ignition" but sadly, many do it anyway without using good powder, caps or keeping the flash channel clear.
In my opinion, they should split on firing for easy removal. That is why a notch is cut in the front of the cocks, to help expedite the gas flow to help split them. Much better than digging them off with your knife.
I don't think that's a problem unless you're dry-firing. Which, of course, should not.
Split caps is normal. You has gasses/pressure coming back out of the ripple when the charge ignites.
