It sounds like Traditions nipples have a incorrect heat treatment.
As we know, the nipple should not be dead soft steel but it should not be so hard that it cracks or shatters when the hammer hits it.
Based on this I would recommend to anyone who buys one of their percussion guns that one of the first things they do is to remove the nipple.
Then, use some fine sandpaper and lightly sand the cone area until it is nice and shiny.
Using a propane torch or a gas stove, hold the nipple with some pliers and heat it until the shiny area turns a dark blue color.
Even going slightly beyond the blue color might be in order.
Once this color is reached, drop the nipple into a small cup/can of oil to cool it.
If you have an electric range you can just lay the nipple on one of the coils and turn it on. When the blue color is reached cool it in some oil.
The nipple will be over 450 degrees F so don't go grabbing it with your fingers. :shocked2:
Tempered like this the steel should be hard enough to be used a long time without it mushrooming but it should be soft enough that it doesn't break. :thumbsup:
