Nipple wrench for Pietta 1860

C

chaz12

New member
I just got my first BP revolver, a Pietta 1860 army. I was somewhat disgusted with the terrible fit and crappy quality of the Traditions revolver nipple wrench that I bought at a local shop. Searching this forum, I found that lots of folks spoke highly of the RMC nipple wrench.

The main thing to me was how well would it fit. I measured my Pietta nipples as just about 0.170 inch across the flats. All I have is an inexpensive caliper that measures in 32nd's of an inch, but you can estimate 64ths of an inch.

I emailed RMC and they got back to me saying that their wrench slot is 0.175 inches. That sounds like it might fit pretty well, so I ordered one. Let you know how it fits when I get it.

The Traditions slot by the way measured about .219 inch across, not a very good fit. The barrel of the wrench is also way to big to fit down into the overall recessed hole that the nipple threads into. So you can only grab the very top of the flats anyway when the nipple is screwed in.

Chaz
 
Chaz

From the Possibles Shop part number 45-016 is one which I think is fairly good.

I have one and it fits 51s and 60s okay.

In my opinion, the reason why nipple wrenches don't generate a lot of positive emotion is that they seem not to be designed to permit you to transmit a lot of force while maintaining a lot of control. Add to that the fact that they seem not to be made of metal that is hard enough.

Consequently they slip and in a lot of cases the event results in damage to the wrench which makes it almost unusable.

I have ruined a lot of wrenches and I alway find a way t blame it on the wrench.
 
Chaz, BTW

You chose a super pistol. I applaud your decision to make sure you can get the nipples out.

Others think it is not important to ever take them out.

I think there is not enough evidence out there to make it much more than a matter of opinion.
 
Most nipple wrenches either 1) don't fit worth a darn - the slot is much too large, or 2) if it does fit, require you maintain perfect geometry while turning it to keep it engaged, something the human body is just not equipped to do. That's why the drill press or vise methods seem to work when others don't.

I had an art instructor many years ago that challenged her class to draw a perfectly straight line or perfect circle freehand; we were allowed to use any medium and go as fast or as slow as we wanted. The lesson was that our bodies are not designed to work that way. She said only the truly gifted artists could accomplish it, and then only after a great deal of practice. I don't know if that's true or not, but we certainly all failed miserably.
 
do the homemade wrench from a socket.

traditions dont do well on the wrenches. they arent hardened. and they are cut wide for a reason, the package will undoubtedly say "pistols, riles, shotguns, muskets."
 
I made mine out of a spintight (looks like a screwdriver with a socket on the end instead of a blade) and have been using it for years.
I took a nipple with me to the hardware store to check for size.
You just file across the socket end to fit the flats on the nipple and you have a nipple wrench that will last you a long time.
 
Doc Hoy said:
From the Possibles Shop part number 45-016 is one which I think is fairly good.

I have one and it fits 51s and 60s okay.
Click to expand...

I've been using one of these nipple wrenches for over 15 years. I've tried numerous other wrenches and they have all failed. The 45-016 is hands down the best wrench on the market today.
 
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