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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Muzzleloaders & Blackpowder
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xausa
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Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
Dry firing a percussion weapon
      #107226 - 12/06/08 03:57 AM

Does anyone know of a way to protect the nipple(s) of a precussion weapon so as to allow it to be safely dry fired without damage to hammer or nipple? I have heard of using fired percussion caps for this purpose, but that does not seem to me to be a long term solution. I posed this question to Dixie Gun Works and Buffalo Arms and they had nothing to suggest.

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Tatume
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Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: xausa]
      #107233 - 12/06/08 06:29 AM

Yes, tie a narrow strip of leather around the gun, over the nipple.

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bigger_is_best
.275 member


Reged: 16/01/07
Posts: 82
Loc: Australia
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: Tatume]
      #107240 - 12/06/08 07:42 AM

I took a piece of hard nylon (plastic) wear material and turned a couple of nipples. Left them about 1/32" longer than standard. Found them to be perfect, Only damage is eventual flaring of plastic, but last for many many 'shots' before that happens. Doesn't need to be drilled (obviously) and the shoulder above the thread should be left as large in diameter as possible. I used a lathe then die cut the thread but could be done without the lathe using a drill or by hand filing. Nylon is very resilient but not hard to cut. I used offcuts and worn pieces from a food factory from a factory (cause I m cheap) but it can be baught new from engineering shops, probably in diameters close to correct for the job.

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Bramble
.375 member


Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: bigger_is_best]
      #107241 - 12/06/08 07:57 AM

Xausa

Never tried it, but how about a copper BB held into the hammer cup with a touch of what we call "bluetack" That sort of putty stuff for putting pictures on the wall temporally. I don't know what you might call it there but I am sure you have it.

Regards

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: bigger_is_best]
      #107242 - 12/06/08 07:59 AM

If you have SAE threads on the nipple you can go to a good hardware store and get bolts in that thread.
Cut pieces to length and install them in the nipple wells, so they bottom out (longer than the nipple)
Now you can snap on them all you like.

Just screw your nipple back in when you are ready to go hunting.

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xausa
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Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: szihn]
      #107247 - 12/06/08 08:37 AM

I like the idea, but would I be better off using brass screws rather than steel ones? Is there any danger of damage to the hammer using steel?

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9.3x57
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Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5561
Loc: United States
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: xausa]
      #107252 - 12/06/08 10:31 AM

Here's my solution:

Unscrew the nipple.

Tape a small piece of thick leather over the hole {old belt, whatever}. You can do same over the nipple, but the nipple will carve a hole in the leather after a while and then leave a smidge of leather inside the nipple. No big deal to remove. I do the same for certain auto pistols that have a reputation for FP breakage, wedging the leather in the space in the slide. Works great.

If you need a piece, I have a bin full of scraps!!

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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ChrisPer
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Reged: 12/05/08
Posts: 235
Loc: Australia
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: 9.3x57]
      #107255 - 12/06/08 11:25 AM

Sopme of the Enfield or Zouave replicas I think used to be supplied with a brass 'snap cap' chained to the gun. It would be no difficulty to get a bit of brass rod and counterbore it to slip onto the nipple for protection. Also, you could take a nipple down to a shop of the 'brass house numbers and decor door handles' style and just ask for 'something' to cap it. There may be a screw-on finial from a stand-up ashtray in the parts bin that is just the ticket.

Someone mentioned copper BB - I think they are probably steel, with a flash of copper plating.

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: ChrisPer]
      #107261 - 12/06/08 01:23 PM

Many nipples are steel and it never harms the hammer to snap them, it only ruins the nipples.
So I would have to say "no", snapping on a steel bolt would not harm anything unless you had a very poor lock.

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beleg2
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Reged: 15/08/07
Posts: 591
Loc: Bahía Blanca - Argentina
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: szihn]
      #107337 - 13/06/08 09:29 PM

I dry fire my Kodiak very easy.
I take both nipples out and put two 32-20 lead bullets, one into each hammer hole.
After some shooting I have to change the bullets but it works fine.
Martin

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5313
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Dry firing a percussion weapon [Re: szihn]
      #107348 - 13/06/08 11:42 PM

Quote:

If you have SAE threads on the nipple you can go to a good hardware store and get bolts in that thread.
Cut pieces to length and install them in the nipple wells, so they bottom out (longer than the nipple)
Now you can snap on them all you like.

Just screw your nipple back in when you are ready to go hunting.



I may be overly cautious here, but if I were to try this I would pad the steel bolt with leather or rubber inner tube. A small piece of either glued to the end of the bolt would dampen the hammer fall. This would greatly relieve the stress to the hammer and other parts.

JMHO,
Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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