Weak springs, especially in newer Uberti models is a concern for cap jams. However, people today don't know how to handle black powder revolvers as they were intended. So many shoot, cock and handle them like modern cartridge revolvers, thats the biggest cap jam problem.

BRILLIANT! The problem is a PLAGUE on shooters. Now we know how it occurs, as well as the repair. Thank you very much. My shooting just became more enjoyable.

you are correct in my tests weak main spring were a big factor in cap jams

This is an excellent video, i'm glad someone finally made such a well made,technical, slow motion video that truly shows how this problem occurs.

Many thanks for posting this video Mark, I have said this for a long time, but the makers of fancy aftermarket nipples have a vested interest in it being otherwise, my original 1860 has a hammer draw weight of 12lb, this is under tension right from the start, but my reproduction 1860s have a draw weight of 4 lb, but this does not have full tension until part way back to full cock, so what you have shown here is the result, the other factor is that original caps were much more robust in construction, I have a few tins but have not measured them, there seems to be a move towards even lighter weight mainsprings, in fact there is a whole aftermarket for such things, which on a percussion pistol are a recipe for failure, hence the problem we see today, I have shot my original and repro Colts for over 40 years without problem, except the odd fragment from a splined cap dropping in the action, but not big enough to cause a problem. Stay safe ! Chris B.

@samwalker7821

2 жыл бұрын

My same experience.

Mark, I think you are on to something. I'd discovered that replacement nipples with tiny flash holes were extremely effective in stopping cap jams in most revolvers. However some revolvers would still suffer an occasional jam, even with good replacement nipples. Your excellent video clearly shows that a weak mainspring may also allow cap jams, even with good nipples. It would be interesting to compare the mainspring strength of an original Colt to a modern replica. Thanks for all your educational videos and those great molds you put out! I have all of your revolver molds except for the Kerr, which I will acquire soon!

Lots of folks have said weak hammer springs cause cap jams. I think Blackie Thomas has talked about this before, and maybe capandball and duelist1954. It's really cool having actual footage of it, though. Slix Shots nipples have vent holes to help with this.

Origininal Colts had a very strong mainspring for this reason. Odd that it took over 150 years for the layman to figure it out. Modern repros use a light MS because of popular demand, hense this "problem".

Thank you for your video, and thats a beauty of a gun.

I had that problem until Slixshot nipples replaced the OEM ones and had a cap rake installed. My 1860 full flute Uberti so modified has over 400 rounds through it without a cap jam a light main spring notwithstanding. Great slow motion details, thanks Mark.

@MichaelStroup

4 жыл бұрын

I have never owned one of these guns, but always wanted to. So forgive my ignorance when i ask, what is a cap rake?

Great info, thanks again for all you do.

I experienced the same with several black powder revolvers I bought new last year. Hammer rebound was my conclusion. I was able to make a 40% heavier main spring for the 1851 navy London model. That solved the problem of cap jambs. The spring is thick at the bottom and tapers in both thickness and width. That makes a heavier but smoother and noticeably faster lock time. So many videos on lightening the hammer spring? My heavier and faster spring cured cap jambs in 4 different Uberti models.

@samwalker7821

2 жыл бұрын

If you can an find original Colt SAA M/S it helps alot.

There is a belief in the percussion revolver community that seems to think the lighter the hammer is to cock, the better or more desirable the gun is. When it comes to reliability though, nothing could be further from the truth.

I have a Belgium made 1860 Army and the spring on it is much stronger than my Uberti or Pietta 1860 Armys. I have never fired it it was new in the box when I bought it from an estate sale in 2008. So I am not sure if it has the same problem. A stronger spring may help

@erasgonehistoricalmolds2400

4 жыл бұрын

The Belgian Centaur revolvers also have the correct size loading port, just like the originals. They will take paper cartridges without any alteration.

Dear Mark would you know proper thread sizes for Slixshot replacement nipples for: 1. 1979 vintage Armi San Paolo (Richland Arms Import)1860 Colt army, 2. 1981 vintage Armi San Marco Colt 1847 Walker, and 3. 1994 vintage Pietta 1851 Colt Navy Replicas ? Can't find out anywhere and Slixshot inquiry reply was "what are the thread pitch sizes " which I have no idea of. Thanks Doris

I just bought A Colt Army 36 cal made by Colt 1970;s the trigger is like 15 lb pull my other Colts 4/6 lbs I just ordered a new wolf spring much lighter hope it works.

@453421abcdefg12345

2 жыл бұрын

Bob Scruggs: Do you mean the hammer is a 15lb draw ? If it is then I doubt you will get the cap jam problem, but I am sure you will get many cap jams when you install the much lighter mainspring, I am not sure what generated the rush towards an excessively light mainspring, but it has produced more problems than it has solved. What is your conclusion having tried both?

@bobscruggs9051

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with you the Wolf mainspring was to light at the range my fingers were sweaty the 36 cal went off while I did not expect it , I had powder burns in the palm of my hand it could have been much worst .

@bobscruggs9051

2 жыл бұрын

the trigger pull

Don't you think the Colt 1860 Army with the fluted cylinder is the most beautiful handgun ever invented?

@bunkstagner298

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely the best looking hand gun ever. Put it next to one of the ugly square black things and there is no comparison. It has style that is a hundred years ahead of it's time.

@erasgonehistoricalmolds2400

4 жыл бұрын

I'm mighty partial to the Model 1860 and 1861.