Old Army

[Cracker-American]

I had to take my SS old army apart to correct the trigger plunger and spring being installed reverse.

It sat for a few months until today. I loaded it and set in to shoot a group left handed. My right wrist and pinky are out of action for this hunting season.

Fired once and locked up. Cap stuck in the hammer notch. Now I know this can and will happen. But it took me an hour to get all six cylinders fired what with taking the cylinder out to clear the jam. Fire one and jam.

Caps were CCI no11. I got pretty good at getting them off and on befor I finally got all six fired

Any thoughts?

 

[SAJohn]

Something is not right. Number 11 caps are the correct size unless the Ruger nipples have been replaced with another size. In thousands of rounds fired through C&B revolvers, I have never had a "cap stuck in the hammer notch" even though I am not certain what that means.

 

[NorEaster]

Never used the CCI. I have always used either the Remingtons or Dynamit Nobel RWS 1075 caps.
The 1075's are the ones I prefer.

 

[Cracker-American]

Notch in frame hammer goes through to hit cap. This revolver has many many rounds through it trouble free in the past. No 11 bareley fit over nipple that is factory as far as I know. Inherited it in 1994.

 

[Mike S]

I have the same problem.
Was told to try #10's, Havent yet

 

[Charon]

I once tried #10 caps (Remington, I think). They did not seat correctly, but did not fall off. The first time around the hammer apparently finished seating the caps, and none fired. Second time around all fired properly.

Percussion caps are notorious for being "non-standard." That is, a #11 cap from one maker may vary in size from a #11 cap from another maker. I have had good results with #11 CCI caps. It has also been recommended that you slightly squeeze the caps, thus making them just a little out-of-round. They will then fit a little more snugly on the nipples. Don't overdo it, or you will have grief getting them onto the nipples in the first place.