Slix Shot nipples and a Wolff reduced power main spring in an 1851 Navy

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duelist1954

New member
One of the claimed benefits of using Slix Shot nipples is the ability to use a lighter main spring because the back pressure of the charge firing is diffused by the side vents on the nipple. So, after outfitting an 1851 Navy with a set of Slix Shots, I equipped it with a Wolff reduced power main spring to put the theory to the test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB3ZKccjEmQ
 
The Slix shot nipples in Pietta 1860 Armys work quite well with the Brownells sold reduced power 1873 main springs.
 
Another good one

Interesting to note that these nipples are the equivalent of the "HotShot" nipples, used for long guns. ... :)

Mike, you kept using the term; cap-sucking, or something like that. Can you explain as I don't think I have ever heard this before .... :confused:

Thanks and;
Be Safe !!!
 
Since I have gotten some flack that I am trashing Slix Shot nipples. let me assure you all that that's not the case.

I said from the 9 minute, 30 second point in the video.

"Now the Slix Shot nipples did fine. There was no cap sucking. The hammer did not blow back. It's just that the Wolff mainspring, which is very, very light, was insufficient to set off the caps."

I don't think that is trashing Slix at all.

Perhaps a medium weight spring would have set the caps off, but that's not what I was testing. I wanted to try the lightest spring. Several other shooters have had exactly the same results with the Wolff springs in Colt style cap & ball revolvers.
 
If I'm not mistaken that spring is made for the 73 Colt. I have one in my 73 Uberti and it works fine. The difference is probably that small rounded firing pin on the 73 as opposed to the big flat hammer face on the 51. I assume by cap sucking you mean the cap getting stuck in the safety slot and getting pulled off the nipple.
 
which nipples ?

I was going to upgrade the nipples on my pietta 1851 44 cal. I'm thinking Treso or Slixshot. for $17 buffalo are selling RMC ? don't know if it's worth going cheap or going for trusted quality ?
 
Slix shots are the way to go. I ran into the same situation as Mike did on my '61 Navies. The Wolfe springs were too light to reliably pop the caps; although the Slix shots & Wolfe springs worked every time my 1860 Armies
 
I have yet to try the slix-shot, but the Tresos do work quite well on my Armys and Navys.

I would definitely recommend Tresos on Walkers and Dragoons, period.

The fact is, anything is an upgrade over factory nipples.
 
Thanks Fingers.
Wish there was a 'like' button or quote on here instead of posting.

My pietta I bought back at Thanksgiving appears to have fairly well machined nipples, not like the ugly ones you usually see. they still aren't fancy but look more precise. overall for $149, when I opened the box, I thought holy crap, AWESOME! a thing of beauty.

Even though the nipples 'look ok' so many people swear that the guns work better with the upgrade, so $36 for a set maybe worth the investment.
 
The biggest problem is not so much the firing of the gun, as all the nipples do that fairly well- but what happens after firing.

Most OEM nipples have flash holes far too large, and that allows a lot of back pressure to come back into the nipple upon firing, and make the cap split and fall down into the action as soon as you cock the hammer after firing.

Some nipples cure this by having a smaller flash hole, and others do it by having vents on the side, or both.

Of course, aftermarket nipples also have a better cap fit too.
 
Ok, just ordered the Slix Shots $36 and $5 shipping.
I saw a half decent looking used Pietta 1851 brass 44 online for $49, sounds like a good deal.
 
Another great video Mike! Interesting results. I switched the nipples in my '51 Uberty Navy to slid shots and they work great - I love 'em. Your results sort of answered my questions on whether to change out the main spring or not as I had been giving it some thought.

I love that "London Model". Gives me the "itch" to maybe add it to the herd! :)

Thanks for sharing . . always enjoyable to see your videos!
 
I have just installed a set of Slix Shot nipples in my Colt Signature 1860 fluted cylinder 44 and am very impressed. In original trim the gun was a real pain, poor ignition, cap fragmentation, but now it's a completely different experience. I will certainly be ordering a set for my 36 Police asap.
 
Fingers- yes to investment, local guy had an ROA, claimed it had 36 shots through it. Late 90s stainless model, watched it go from $450 on down. When it got to $250 I was ready to make a move... So was someone else and they were quicker than I was. Kicking myself now. A nice gun and $$ lost.
 
they use remington #10 caps for the best fit, if this is so, i have not seen even one tin of rem #10's around here since i started messing around bp 3 monthe ago. otherwise i would like to give them a go.
 
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