Author Topic: using hammer to seat the cap? (Read 1575 times)

wileynet · « **on:** August 30, 2012, 09:28:43 AM »

probably been addressed, but ill ask anyway. was watching a show on the outdoor channel, hunters using side lock muzzleloaders, in each instance after placing the cap they used the hammer to "seat it" or push it down firmly on the nipple ,anybody else do this?

bubba.50 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2012, 09:42:01 AM »

a lot of sidelock guns hafta be put on full-cock to have enough clearance to put a cap on the nipple & the hammer then has to be lowered almost all the way then pulled back to half-cock. are you sure this ain't what they were doin'? if they were seatin' caps this way i sure don't wanta be huntin' around'em.

my opinion & yer welcome to it, bubba.

Semisane · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2012, 10:23:19 AM »

I've done it on occasion when necessary. But wouldn't want to have to do it as a regular practice. It's too easy to correct an oversize or flattened nipple problem with a bit of file work.

wileynet · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2012, 10:38:58 AM »

they actually put the hammer on the cap then just pushed slightly on the back of the hammer before coming to full cock and firing have seen cap n ball shooters do it before SASS forbid it

Hellgate · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2012, 10:46:07 AM »

There's a fellow (Cuts Crooked) who can show you a photo of his thumb where part of the nail is missing (after it all healed) resulting from a cap firing a loaded revolver chamber while seating it with his thumb. If a thumbnail can do it, so can a hammer, especially if the hammer face doesn't fit perfectly flush with the nipple. I'd be hesitant to hunt with them too unless they were extremely aware of where their muzzles were pointing at all times.

pastorp · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2012, 03:06:36 AM »

Just a thought.... But why do you supose SASS forbids it?

Hammers+percussion caps+loaded gun.... Come on guys, the outcome can't be good. I had a friend That used to always carry a single action colt revolver with all 6 chambers loaded & he's got the bullet holes to prove it..

Regards,

necchi · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2012, 09:04:39 AM »

Yeah, I do it when needed, Not at the firing line at a match because there's little movement on the line,, you cap and shoot.
but I'll press the cap firmly as described for a walk in the Field or a wooods walk.
Cap, release the hammer gently with the thumb, then press the back of the hammer and pull back to half-cock safety.
No Problem, a common action used by many I know and hunt with.

wileynet · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2012, 06:03:33 PM »

the reason i asked is regardless of nipples ive used sooner or later i get that double strike to get it to go off, just wanted to know if it helps for those that use it

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2012, 07:33:42 PM »

Quote from: wileynet on August 31, 2012, 06:03:33 PM

the reason i asked is regardless of nipples ive used sooner or later i get that double strike to get it to go off, just wanted to know if it helps for those that use it

When that happens, fix it......

Quote from: Semisane on August 30, 2012, 10:23:19 AM

It's too easy to correct an oversize or flattened nipple problem with a bit of file work.

necchi · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2012, 09:20:27 PM »

Quote from: wileynet on August 31, 2012, 06:03:33 PM

sooner or later i get that double strike to get it to go off,

Is your rifle a Thompson Center? There is an issue with the locks that makes it seem like a double strike is needed..
When in fact is a few loose screws and/or a lock that needs oil, If it's a T/C say so I;'ll go into more detail.

wileynet · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2012, 03:45:04 PM »

cva mountain rifle, even took to local ML builder he alaign the the lock with the nipple, put a new spring in it, tried several different nipples what else do you want me to fix, he showed the variations in caps within the same boxes remington and cci, some slip right on others had to forced, we tried a older tresco nipple all the caps went on but had to be "crimped" or they fell right off,

necchi · « **Reply #11 on:** September 02, 2012, 05:38:19 PM »

Well the only thing I do to the CVA/Traditions is open the hammer cup a bit with a dremel and face the cup so it hits the nipple square. (actually all my cap locks get this treatment)
Most hammers come from the factory only hitting one edge of the nipple.

Ya need a dremel and the small stone grinder that will fit in the hammer cup. I pull the hammer screw so I can move the hammer on/off easily.
I use inletting black but lip stick works, put a little dab of the inletting compound on just the end of the nipple,
Slowly let the hammer down to contact the nipple, that will allow the inletting compound/Lip Stick to transfer a mark to the inside of the hammer cup, pull the hammer and look inside there,,
Use the grinding stone to "face" the inside of the cup, removing the partial circle (high spot) and repeat this process until the mark left from the nipple is a complete circle. You'd be suprised how much has to be removed to make it a flush/flat surface.

This makes/helps the hammer do it's job properly and strike the cap at it's full circumference with the full force of the hammer.
A cap struck on just it's edge may not go off

wileynet · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2012, 07:27:58 AM »

never heard of that will try that tonight,

srussell · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2012, 06:51:53 PM »

keep the nipple clean and you can turn it down a bit if needed. sounds like the one i had the cap went on hard and after a few shots it had to be cleaned are the nipple would not seat

wileynet · « **Reply #14 on:** September 04, 2012, 03:42:04 AM »

faced the hammer this am, did have ridge, apparently from striking the nipple, also went thru 2 boxes of cci caps came up with 40 that fit well, instresting enough had about 22 caps that split on side when i tried to place them on the nipple, this my backup ML for upcoming elk hunt so trying to make sure its reliable

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #15 on:** September 04, 2012, 09:57:45 AM »

Reminds me of the several times I couldn't get my flintlock to fire. Ended up using a match at the flash hole. I don't recommend that at all, but if you resort to a match, use a long wooden one or you'll get burned by the blowback.
Re. caplocks and caps that don't fit all the way down, I discard it. I ain't mashin' on no live cap.

srussell · « **Reply #16 on:** September 04, 2012, 11:42:01 AM »

man just take and sand it down a little bit . a small amount of the caps might be Little lose so just squeeze the sides and go. simple solution. on my match rifle i sand it down so i don't have to bother file shooting a match

wileynet · « **Reply #17 on:** September 04, 2012, 07:39:04 PM »

holy crap, a match lock!!, not that brave especially since iam left handed. As it is i wear a tegaderm patch(use it in er to cover large wounds think really tough saran wrap) on my cheek keeps the black off and has stopped brass from the caps once. nervous enough with that right in front of my face, i did find some more nipples today, will chuck em in a drill and sand em down, try that.

srussell · « **Reply #18 on:** September 04, 2012, 08:51:43 PM »

go slow with the sanding

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2012, 04:52:08 PM »

Convert to a flintlock and your cap seating problems are over!

-Kees-

wileynet · « **Reply #20 on:** September 07, 2012, 11:35:58 AM »

i thinking that would would really suck shooting a right handed flintlock left handed

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** September 07, 2012, 12:10:52 PM »

I've shot my RH flinters wrong sided when I had to in competition, it's not really a problem other than being somewhat awkward cuz I didn't practice enough, just wear good eye protection!

I've known a couple lefties that wanted to shoot flint but couldn't afford a LH gun, so they just shot a RH, worked for them all the time.

Tim

bubba.50 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2012, 04:55:33 PM »

no matter if yer right or left handed if ya shot a flint double-barrel one of'em is gonna be on the wrong side so it must have been done and in an age when eye protection wasn't known. for what it's worth & have a good'en, bubba.

wileynet · « **Reply #23 on:** September 07, 2012, 05:33:12 PM »

dont know never tried it,

lrrice · « **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2012, 06:44:06 AM »

My mountain rifle had an imported craplock on it that got to where it needed to double strike occasionally. I sanded the nipple down and gave each cap a slight crimp no more problems but you cant trust it to hold every cap without a little crimp. Before I got it done, I would push them on with the hammer as you described but I was very careful where it was pointed.