Misfires on 1861 Navy Colt

[ValleyForge]

I have an 1861 Navy Colt that is nothing but frustration. I sometimes go a complete cylinder without a single round firing. The forum here says to use #10 Caps -- but when I do, they fit so tightly I sometimes can't turn the cylinder. But even when it turns, the hammer strikes and there's no ignition. Same thing with #11s. Please help, as this gun is totally unreliable.

[Will]

One thing about these guns is that you very rairly get it shooting rite out the box without doing some experimenting. That's part of the fun.

For me I find Tresso nipples and Remmington #11 caps work best on just about everything I got. Very few jams and they seat just rite. At a match I use a curved piece of antler to seat the caps, at home I just use lower the hammer and use it to seat the caps.

You can get Tresso's at Thunder Ridge Muzzle loading.

[J.C.]

I have had the type of problems you describe when using other than Remington or CCI caps.

[wildrider]

Firing my own 1861 Navy sometimes it happens that exploded caps get stuck between the cylinder and the frame, making a bit difficult to arm the hammer and turning the cylinder. The only time I had misfires was a day when a small piece of cap went stuck under the hammer. I changed several caps and spent 10 minutes before I could see the problem...