Need some advice on a stuck nipple

UtahHunting · February 9, 2013, 02:19 PM

I recently picked up an 1851 Griswold manufactured 1963. I doubt the nipples have ever been removed. I don't think the gun has been fired. I use a homemade nipple wrench I made with a socket. I was only able to remove 1 of the 6 nipples. I have tried PB Blaster (granted I only let it soak about 10 minutes) but they will not budge.

What can you all recommend in the way of a homemade solvent to loosen them? Or should I just shoot the hell out of it and not worry?

Rigmarol · February 9, 2013, 02:59 PM

I have great luck using Kroil as a penetration oil.

If the gun works fine, shoot it.

If the nipples are seized, be prepared to possibly ruin them getting them off, have spares on hand unless you don't mind waiting to replace them.

I have destroyed two dedicated nipple wrenches in the past, I'd like to see your home made wrench if possible.

Good luck.

bedbugbilly · February 9, 2013, 03:48 PM

I've had luck in the past by applying a little heat as well - and then dousing with penetrating oil, brake fluid, etc. Sometimes they can be stubborn little devils and like many others, I've also have broken some nipple wrenches in the process. Hopefully you can get 'em broken free with out damaging them. I once had a stubborn one on an original 1861 Springfield that I ended up having to bore and use a "take me out" on. The biggest thing is to not get frustrated and cause damage to the internal threads - nipples are cheap compared to having to do a lot of work to restore nipple pockets on cylinders. Plus, don't be in a rush in spite of your desire to get it taken care of so you can shoot it. Let it spend some time soaking. Good luck!

deerslayer303 · February 9, 2013, 03:51 PM

I second the Kroil Penetrating oil, but that stuff is hard to find at a local retailer, PB Blaster is good stuff too. Try standing the cylinder up (nipple side down) and spray PB Blaster in the chambers and let it sit and soak the threads that way.

BirchOrr · February 9, 2013, 03:54 PM

FWIW

In independent studies, Kano-Kroil is the best penetrating oil available. In this same test, the only concoction that worked even better was a 50/50 mixture of acetone and automatic trans fluid.

Good luck!

Birch

TomADC · February 9, 2013, 04:12 PM

Yep shop brew 50/50 mix auto trans fluid & acetone.
Something else I like is Oil of Wintergreen plus a good fitting wrench.

UtahHunting · February 9, 2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

I have great luck using Kroil as a penetration oil.

If the gun works fine, shoot it.

If the nipples are seized, be prepared to possibly ruin them getting them off, have spares on hand unless you don't mind waiting to replace them.

I have destroyed two dedicated nipple wrenches in the past, I'd like to see your home made wrench if possible.

Good luck.

I think I may end up trying the acetone/tranny fluid mix.

Here is a pic of my homemade nipple wrench. A dremel to 3/16" socket. Been using this or one like it for years. Much stronger than the store bought ones.

BirchOrr · February 9, 2013, 04:38 PM

^^^
Yep, made one just like it only used a nutdriver instead of socket. Like to "feel" the nipple so I don't cross-thread the darned thing!

You could easily put your socket on a nut driver handle....

Birch

UtahHunting · February 9, 2013, 04:39 PM

Birch, I usually do have it on a nutdriver handle, I had it on the socket for extra torque to try and loosen the nipples. Very handy to have one and fits in the shooting box easily.

BirchOrr · February 9, 2013, 04:43 PM

^^^
That's what I figured. Also had it figured you were going for torque!

Birch

Rigmarol · February 9, 2013, 05:20 PM

Utah, thanks for the pics. Good to have handy I'm sure.

unknwn · February 9, 2013, 06:39 PM

Put an extension on your socket/nipple tool , put the cylinder on a block of wood -or- similiar, put the tool on the nipple and hammer on it (the extension).
The -shock- of hammering on it will loosen it up almost every time.
If it didn't work, heat it up either with a propane torch or similiar -or- in a pan of boiling water -and- repeat the hammering trick again.

BirchOrr · February 9, 2013, 06:48 PM

^^^
And... if any of the above works, put a touch of anti sieze grease on the threads with a Q-tip. Take the nipples out each time you clean the gun to keep it from happening again!

Birch

North East Redneck · February 9, 2013, 08:28 PM

Was gonna say trans fluid and acetone, but I see that's already been covered. Its better than Kroil and much better than PB.

UtahHunting · February 9, 2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Was gonna say trans fluid and acetone, but I see that's already been covered. Its better than Kroil and much better than PB.

I am going to try this, maybe as early as tomorrow. Just to be safe, this won't remove any of the finish on the cylinder will it?

BirchOrr · February 9, 2013, 09:12 PM

I thought about that! To be safe use it on the INSIDE of the cylinder, not the outside.

Acetone is nasty stuff (nail polish remover). I use it to disolve contact cement when installing Formica countertops.

Birch

shortwave · February 9, 2013, 10:01 PM

You may get by just soaking the cyl. in the ATF and leaving out the acetone.

Have had great result in the past doing this and letting the corroded part soak for a week or so agitating and wire brushing around the stuck part every day or so.

robhof · February 9, 2013, 10:51 PM

I have used the acetone/auto trans fluid on my blued pistols with no ill effects, except it will fade cold blue and damage the fake case hardening that they have now. Good luck and keep us informed of your progress and a range report when successful.

DD4lifeusmc · February 10, 2013, 11:05 AM

I didn't read every reponse but.
Soak in the blaster or whatever for a couple days.
wipe out excess.
Use your homemade tool on and impact driver.
Type you hit with a hammer.
If that don't work.
Use a mini micro torch.
Heat only the cylinder all the way around the nipple.
Don't heat the nipple itself.
Now use the impact.
It should break loose.

February 9, 2013, 02:19 PM	#1
UtahHunting Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 428	Need some advice on a stuck nipple I recently picked up an 1851 Griswold manufactured 1963. I doubt the nipples have ever been removed. I don't think the gun has been fired. I use a homemade nipple wrench I made with a socket. I was only able to remove 1 of the 6 nipples. I have tried PB Blaster (granted I only let it soak about 10 minutes) but they will not budge. What can you all recommend in the way of a homemade solvent to loosen them? Or should I just shoot the hell out of it and not worry?

February 9, 2013, 03:48 PM	#3
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I've had luck in the past by applying a little heat as well - and then dousing with penetrating oil, brake fluid, etc. Sometimes they can be stubborn little devils and like many others, I've also have broken some nipple wrenches in the process. Hopefully you can get 'em broken free with out damaging them. I once had a stubborn one on an original 1861 Springfield that I ended up having to bore and use a "take me out" on. The biggest thing is to not get frustrated and cause damage to the internal threads - nipples are cheap compared to having to do a lot of work to restore nipple pockets on cylinders. Plus, don't be in a rush in spite of your desire to get it taken care of so you can shoot it. Let it spend some time soaking. Good luck! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

February 9, 2013, 03:51 PM	#4
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 2,652	I second the Kroil Penetrating oil, but that stuff is hard to find at a local retailer, PB Blaster is good stuff too. Try standing the cylinder up (nipple side down) and spray PB Blaster in the chambers and let it sit and soak the threads that way. __________________ "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery." - Thomas Jefferson

February 9, 2013, 03:54 PM	#5
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	FWIW In independent studies, Kano-Kroil is the best penetrating oil available. In this same test, the only concoction that worked even better was a 50/50 mixture of acetone and automatic trans fluid. Good luck! Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

February 9, 2013, 04:12 PM	#6
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	Yep shop brew 50/50 mix auto trans fluid & acetone. Something else I like is Oil of Wintergreen plus a good fitting wrench. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

February 9, 2013, 02:59 PM	#2
Rigmarol Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 344	I have great luck using Kroil as a penetration oil. If the gun works fine, shoot it. If the nipples are seized, be prepared to possibly ruin them getting them off, have spares on hand unless you don't mind waiting to replace them. I have destroyed two dedicated nipple wrenches in the past, I'd like to see your home made wrench if possible. Good luck.

February 9, 2013, 04:38 PM	#8
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	^^^ Yep, made one just like it only used a nutdriver instead of socket. Like to "feel" the nipple so I don't cross-thread the darned thing! You could easily put your socket on a nut driver handle.... Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

February 9, 2013, 04:39 PM	#9
UtahHunting Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 428	Birch, I usually do have it on a nutdriver handle, I had it on the socket for extra torque to try and loosen the nipples. Very handy to have one and fits in the shooting box easily.

February 9, 2013, 04:43 PM	#10
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	^^^ That's what I figured. Also had it figured you were going for torque! Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

February 9, 2013, 05:20 PM	#11
Rigmarol Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 344	Utah, thanks for the pics. Good to have handy I'm sure.

February 9, 2013, 06:39 PM	#12
unknwn Member Join Date: January 20, 2011 Posts: 25	Put an extension on your socket/nipple tool , put the cylinder on a block of wood -or- similiar, put the tool on the nipple and hammer on it (the extension). The -shock- of hammering on it will loosen it up almost every time. If it didn't work, heat it up either with a propane torch or similiar -or- in a pan of boiling water -and- repeat the hammering trick again.

February 9, 2013, 06:48 PM	#13
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	^^^ And... if any of the above works, put a touch of anti sieze grease on the threads with a Q-tip. Take the nipples out each time you clean the gun to keep it from happening again! Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

February 9, 2013, 08:28 PM	#14
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	Was gonna say trans fluid and acetone, but I see that's already been covered. Its better than Kroil and much better than PB. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

February 9, 2013, 09:12 PM	#16
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	I thought about that! To be safe use it on the INSIDE of the cylinder, not the outside. Acetone is nasty stuff (nail polish remover). I use it to disolve contact cement when installing Formica countertops. Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win... Last edited by BirchOrr; February 9, 2013 at 09:18 PM.

February 9, 2013, 10:01 PM	#17
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	You may get by just soaking the cyl. in the ATF and leaving out the acetone. Have had great result in the past doing this and letting the corroded part soak for a week or so agitating and wire brushing around the stuck part every day or so.

February 9, 2013, 10:51 PM	#18
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof I have used the acetone/auto trans fluid on my blued pistols with no ill effects, except it will fade cold blue and damage the fake case hardening that they have now. Good luck and keep us informed of your progress and a range report when successful.

February 10, 2013, 11:05 AM	#19
DD4lifeusmc Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 351	stuck nipple I didn't read every reponse but. Soak in the blaster or whatever for a couple days. wipe out excess. Use your homemade tool on and impact driver. Type you hit with a hammer. If that don't work. Use a mini micro torch. Heat only the cylinder all the way around the nipple. Don't heat the nipple itself. Now use the impact. It should break loose.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search