caps not fireing

[hortonstn]

its been a while since I was around a cap lock
problem is it takes two or three drops of the hammer to get the cap to fire
tried different nipples and caps any ideas
thanks paul

[OldMtnMan]

If you have a good nipple/cap fit it could be a weak main spring in the lock. Is it hitting square? What caps do you use?

[hortonstn]

spring is good, all looks square
caps are cci #11

[OldMtnMan]

All that's left is a bad fit between cap and nipple. Cap isn't seating all the way down and needs a couple of hits to get down all the way.

You sure the spring is ok? It should be pretty hard to cock. What kind of gun/lock?

[Marcruger]

I'd try chucking the nipple in a power drill and turning at down a tad.  Don't overdo it. Just enough so that the cap seats all the way, but is still snug enough not to fall off.  God Bless,  Marc

[hortonstn]

thanks that's what I did works fine now

[Mike from OK]

thanks that's what I did works fine now

Seems you have it worked out.

Another thing to remember... Check the recess in the end of the hammer. Crud can build up in there and potentially soften the blow of the hammer on the cap.

It's a small area that can be forgotten during cleaning.

Mike

[Dave Patterson]

Now, see, here's a grand example of why I love ALR:  awhile back, in another thread, I chimed-in to state that I'd experienced better reliability from my flintlocks than from my percussion locks.  I also qualified that statement by explaining, my results were quite likely a function of my lack of knowledge, combined with the simplicity of cleaning and problem-solving, in a flintlock breech system. 

And right here in this thread,  I'm learning a couple of the issues I've had with the (few) percussion rifles in the family. 

Gotta go, fellers:  I've got a couple hammers and nipples to fine-tune. 

[OldMtnMan]

You also need to be careful that a fired cap isn't stuck in the hammer. That's a common problem. I usually grind mine a bit so a cap can't stick.

[Pukka Bundook]

Also cut a groove in the hammer nose at front, if it doesn't come that way. Makes it easier to winkle any old cap out.

[OldMtnMan]

Besides better ignition the caps not sticking is another reason I switched to musket caps. After firing they're always sitting on the nipple to easily be removed. I hate fiddling with #11 caps.

[Bob Roller]

its been a while since I was around a cap lock
problem is it takes two or three drops of the hammer to get the cap to fire
tried different nipples and caps any ideas
thanks paul

A feeble mainspring or crud in the cupped nose of the hammer that can make it a soft
thud instead of a sharp whack.Look at the lock off the gun,maybe loose upper bridle screws
causing a bind on the tumble.Did you try firing caps before loading? I put a patch in the
muzzle and fired a cap to see if it blows the patch out.A sure way to see what's happening
before loading powder and ball (or bullet).

Bob Roller

[OldMtnMan]

He got it fixed Bob. It was a bad cap fit on the nipple.

[WadePatton]

Also cut a groove in the hammer nose at front, if it doesn't come that way. Makes it easier to winkle any old cap out.

Also that groove or gap is good for venting some of the escaping combustion gases away from your peepers and other sensitive parts of the face.