Ah hah! The fix for Colt Open top - Cap Jams / Cap Sucking

[drobs]

I've read about this fix here and elsewhere but hadn't seen detailed instructions on it. Well here they are:

http://www.theopenrange.net/articles/colt_cap_and_ball.pdf

Also called a "Cap Rake"

 

[drobs]

Method #2 - the Manhattan Conversion:

http://www.prepperforums.net/forum/...manhattan-conversion-black-powder-colt-s.html

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=38252.0

http://www.longhunt.com/web/index.p...ck-Powder-Shooting-Custom-Percussion-Revolver

 

[g.willikers]

Dualist has a less invasive fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4gkJaIQPZo

 

[Model12Win]

It seems as if there is a few ways to do this.

The cap rake I had installed on my '51 Navy works pretty well, but isn't a guarantee. I think there's something to Duelist's idea of cleaning up the rough hammer face, as I still get caps stuck to the hammer sometimes.

 

[drobs]

I was thinking the post went between the base of the hammer and the internal action of the gun. Didn't realize the post was right behind the cap at the top of the hammer channel.

Seems like these open tops are the only revolvers that have that huge gap into the internal working of the gun.

I have drill press, a dremmel, center punch, and a vice, this mod looks pretty easy.

 

[Smokin'Joe]

Follow the Duelist's good advise AND set the hammer to nipple spacing to .005". With my Open-Top Colt clones set up like this I haven't had a cap jam in a couple of hundred rounds.

 

[bedbugbilly]

A lot simpler just to do the "Colt twist" when cocking. Been doing that for 50 plus years and rarely get a cap fragment problem and I would imagine that is what our ancestors did as well. Just call me "low tech".

 

[44 Dave]

Yes Billy but you can't fan and twist. Having the cap post helps time and reliability shooting against a clock.
My open tops all have bolt blocks, action stops, and cap posts. On an occasion I will fan a few rounds just because I can!

 

[Hawg]

I outgrew fanning about 45 years ago.

 

[Beagle333]

I been doin' the "Colt flip" for a long time now and rarely have a cap jam, but I may do the Duelist technique and the combination of those two should eliminate it 100%.

 

[drobs]

I really haven't experience any horrible cap jams yet with my 2 1860's. But then again, I don't have enough rounds down range in either yet.

As they say - "knowledge is power" and next time someone complains about cap sucking we can refer them to this "simple" fix.

Simple for some...