I need one because I have several cylinders one 1860 and 1 1858 that have nipples so tight that I cannot budge them. The 1858 is the worst because of the sharp edges around the nipple and the fact that the nipples are angled out from the center. I have tried WD40, heat etc and cannot budge them. I busted abot 4 wrenches trying to get them loose. Any suggestions. The 1858 is a Pietta and the 1860 is a Urburti.
Worlds strongest nipple wrench
- Thread starter mrappe
- Start date
50-50 mixture of acetone and automatic transmission fluid. Let it penetrate for a few hours, then moderate heat.
2 suggestions for a wrench (denster's notwithstanding - a good idea that will work if you have the tools to make it): The Chapman's small ratchet with nipple bits as sold by The Possible Shop: http://www.possibleshop.com/s-s-nipple-wrench.html. Or, the RMC double ended wrench ML063: http://rmcoxyoke.com/rmcoxyoke_cfmfiles/product.cfm?msection=1958
After soaking in the penetrating oil mixture, put two dowel rods in two cylinder chambers and chuck them in a vise - this supports the cylinder without damage and allows you to apply high torque to the nipple. If you have the setup, use a vise on a drill press bench so that the nipple is aligned with the drill chuck. Unplug the drill and chuck the modified socket/wrench/nipple socket in the drill. Lower the press to engage the nipple with the socket and lock it down. Turn the chuck by hand to loosen the nipple. If you don't have the drill press/vise setup, you can just use a regular vise and your muscle applied to the wrench.
2 suggestions for a wrench (denster's notwithstanding - a good idea that will work if you have the tools to make it): The Chapman's small ratchet with nipple bits as sold by The Possible Shop: http://www.possibleshop.com/s-s-nipple-wrench.html. Or, the RMC double ended wrench ML063: http://rmcoxyoke.com/rmcoxyoke_cfmfiles/product.cfm?msection=1958
After soaking in the penetrating oil mixture, put two dowel rods in two cylinder chambers and chuck them in a vise - this supports the cylinder without damage and allows you to apply high torque to the nipple. If you have the setup, use a vise on a drill press bench so that the nipple is aligned with the drill chuck. Unplug the drill and chuck the modified socket/wrench/nipple socket in the drill. Lower the press to engage the nipple with the socket and lock it down. Turn the chuck by hand to loosen the nipple. If you don't have the drill press/vise setup, you can just use a regular vise and your muscle applied to the wrench.
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That RMC double ended wrench looks a lot like the wrench that comes in Cabela's starter sets. I hope it isn't, because I had a stuck nipple once and it warped wide open. That's when I bought the chapman ratchet nipple wrench.
I was going to make a bit for it for my rifles, but I started using silver anti-seize paste every time after that incident.
I was going to make a bit for it for my rifles, but I started using silver anti-seize paste every time after that incident.
longranger
New member
wrapping the nipple with a single layer of teflon tape will allow to use a regular ol nipple wrench,you will never have stuck nipple with the teflon tape.
denster said:
All true, but not on topic. None of the guns I actually own have stuck nipples, now. However, many of the ones I've purchased have come to me with stuck nipples, and many more have been in guns I've worked on for friends/relatives. It happens. What the OP needs to know is how to deal with it when it does.longranger said:
Wrenches & socket heads break for the same reason screwdrivers tear up screw heads: they either don't fit properly or they're not being used properly. Most of the 'unhardened' commercial wrenches don't stand a chance from the beginning - in addition to being loose they're hard to control and keep properly engaged, and once the lip starts to curl they're impossible to control at all. The dowel/vise/drill press technique will work with almost any close fitting socket or wrench whether it's been hardened or not because it keeps the geometry correct and allows you to apply all your strength as pure torque.
Nipples and muscle
Great topic. I've bought several used weapons in the last couple of months, most have been unfired and sat around in cases for a few decades. Those were easy. I disassembled them with no problems and put some Thompson's Super Lube around the threads of the nipples. The prevention thing. Teflon never crossed my mind.
Some of the used ones had been fired but the previous owners had done their stuff and the nipples came right out. The Colt Walker had been fired the previous owner had not removed the nipples because they didn't own a wrench.
One of the nipples of course gave me some problems. I put it in a plastic bag and sprayed it with CLP. Let it sit for a couple of hours and sprayed it again. The next day it popped right out.
I've bought some heavy duty nipple wrenches from Taylors and Thompsons and made a couple of my own 1/4" drive 3/16" socket types, using a Dremel and a file. These work great and being able to ratchet the socket helps out.
I like the vice and dowel thing, with a little heat. It's definitely about technique, geometry, some patience and fore thought. Some nipples don't like muscle alone (Least wise this kind) and having to drill one out is something I wouldn't want to have a go at.
Great topic. I've bought several used weapons in the last couple of months, most have been unfired and sat around in cases for a few decades. Those were easy. I disassembled them with no problems and put some Thompson's Super Lube around the threads of the nipples. The prevention thing. Teflon never crossed my mind.
Some of the used ones had been fired but the previous owners had done their stuff and the nipples came right out. The Colt Walker had been fired the previous owner had not removed the nipples because they didn't own a wrench.
One of the nipples of course gave me some problems. I put it in a plastic bag and sprayed it with CLP. Let it sit for a couple of hours and sprayed it again. The next day it popped right out. I've bought some heavy duty nipple wrenches from Taylors and Thompsons and made a couple of my own 1/4" drive 3/16" socket types, using a Dremel and a file. These work great and being able to ratchet the socket helps out.
I like the vice and dowel thing, with a little heat. It's definitely about technique, geometry, some patience and fore thought. Some nipples don't like muscle alone (Least wise this kind) and having to drill one out is something I wouldn't want to have a go at.
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Rifleman1776
New member
In the 40+ years I have been shooting ML guns, the best nipple wrench I have ever owned and used is by North Star http://www.northstarwest.com/northwest_gun.aspx
At least they were the best when Curly was still alive. I hope the tradition of quality has lasted without him.
At least they were the best when Curly was still alive. I hope the tradition of quality has lasted without him.
Drilling???
Noz
I've drilled a few screws out of some modern weapons. But not lately. Not recommended for the faint of heart. It takes a vise and some preparation, with a real steady hand and nerve. None of which I have an abundance of these days, no to mention patience. So I'll do the prevention thing and keep my fingers crossed when it comes to cylinder nipples.
Noz
I've drilled a few screws out of some modern weapons. But not lately. Not recommended for the faint of heart. It takes a vise and some preparation, with a real steady hand and nerve. None of which I have an abundance of these days, no to mention patience. So I'll do the prevention thing and keep my fingers crossed when it comes to cylinder nipples.
Drilling out a stuck nipple is, of course, the last resort, and it does take some seriously on purpose tools with experience.
I've found the MicroGrabit Kit by Alden Corp, sold by Brownell's to be the best for gun screws and nipples. It's basically a set of small 'easy outs' with matched left handed metal drill bits. Follow the directions and while it's still not an easy task, these things do about the best job I've found of making it possible. I can usually save the threads with these things, if there are any left to be saved at all. Not cheap, so you gotta really want to save that cylinder, or else you're faced with doing several.
I've found the MicroGrabit Kit by Alden Corp, sold by Brownell's to be the best for gun screws and nipples. It's basically a set of small 'easy outs' with matched left handed metal drill bits. Follow the directions and while it's still not an easy task, these things do about the best job I've found of making it possible. I can usually save the threads with these things, if there are any left to be saved at all. Not cheap, so you gotta really want to save that cylinder, or else you're faced with doing several.
Nipple Wrenchs and Stuck Nipples
I'm still with the prevention thing but... as several people have pointed out they can come that way when we buy used weapons that have been sitting around for a few decades. I'm adding a couple of nipple wrenches to the collection.
The Pietta 1858 Remington replica that I own sat around since 1976, not being fired. I sprayed her down with Ballistol a couple of times and played around with the loading lever and clicked a few parts to loosen them up. Getting the cylinder pin out took a dowel and a hammer. I then took her apart and removed the nipples.
I cleaned her up real good and started putting them back in. I put some Thompsons Super Lube on the threads. All went back in ok, except for the last one of course and it just would not crank down. I finally took a second one out and it screwed right in to the empty slot. The first one of course did the same. Go figure that one out?
Any way this old gal is going to get a range trip in the near future. Like a couple of other Safe Queens she is way over due.
Some great stuff on here about dealing with stuck nipples. I've of course taken quite a few notes on it.
I'm still with the prevention thing but... as several people have pointed out they can come that way when we buy used weapons that have been sitting around for a few decades. I'm adding a couple of nipple wrenches to the collection.
The Pietta 1858 Remington replica that I own sat around since 1976, not being fired. I sprayed her down with Ballistol a couple of times and played around with the loading lever and clicked a few parts to loosen them up. Getting the cylinder pin out took a dowel and a hammer. I then took her apart and removed the nipples.
I cleaned her up real good and started putting them back in. I put some Thompsons Super Lube on the threads. All went back in ok, except for the last one of course and it just would not crank down. I finally took a second one out and it screwed right in to the empty slot. The first one of course did the same. Go figure that one out?
Any way this old gal is going to get a range trip in the near future. Like a couple of other Safe Queens she is way over due.
Some great stuff on here about dealing with stuck nipples. I've of course taken quite a few notes on it.
this forum is a great wealth of information!..I was just coming in here to ask this very same question..where to get a nipple wrench thats of good quality..I just bought a pietta 1851 colt navy 36 caliber from cabelas, and didnt realize all the science that goes into bp shooting..every time I buy an accesssory..looks like I need something else..Got the balls, got the powder, got the caps...then I need wads...then "anti sieze" compound for the nipples..now they tell me I need a nipple wrench..then I need some sort of lube to smooth out the bore before firing..then I need a loading stand..I am wondering anything else before I go bankrupt??I bet old wild Bill never used almost none of this stuff..yet he was a pretty feared gunman..I wonder how he pulled that off??..lol
goffer@earthlink.net
New member
Must be a lot of Stuck Nipples in the World
Can't get a grip on any of the nipples on my Ruger OA with the wrench provided in the gun case by Ruger. Eyeballing the wrench end of the tool provided can just make out the wrench angles and looks to me worn beyond use. Does anyone know of a socket that will fit these Ruger nipples.
Can't get a grip on any of the nipples on my Ruger OA with the wrench provided in the gun case by Ruger. Eyeballing the wrench end of the tool provided can just make out the wrench angles and looks to me worn beyond use. Does anyone know of a socket that will fit these Ruger nipples.