Ah hah! The fix for Colt Open top - Cap Jams / Cap Sucking

drobs · August 7, 2016, 12:36 AM

I've read about this fix here and elsewhere but hadn't seen detailed instructions on it. Well here they are:

http://www.theopenrange.net/articles...p_and_ball.pdf

Also called a "Cap Rake"

drobs · August 7, 2016, 01:07 AM

Method #2 - the Manhattan Conversion:

http://www.prepperforums.net/forum/b...er-colt-s.html

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/ind...?topic=38252.0

http://www.longhunt.com/web/index.ph...ssion-Revolver

g.willikers · August 8, 2016, 10:05 AM

Dualist has a less invasive fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4gkJaIQPZo

Model12Win · August 8, 2016, 01:07 PM

It seems as if there is a few ways to do this.

The cap rake I had installed on my '51 Navy works pretty well, but isn't a guarantee. I think there's something to Duelist's idea of cleaning up the rough hammer face, as I still get caps stuck to the hammer sometimes.

drobs · August 8, 2016, 03:21 PM

I was thinking the post went between the base of the hammer and the internal action of the gun. Didn't realize the post was right behind the cap at the top of the hammer channel.

Seems like these open tops are the only revolvers that have that huge gap into the internal working of the gun.

I have drill press, a dremmel, center punch, and a vice, this mod looks pretty easy.

Smokin'Joe · August 8, 2016, 04:29 PM

Follow the Duelist's good advise AND set the hammer to nipple spacing to .005". With my Open-Top Colt clones set up like this I haven't had a cap jam in a couple of hundred rounds.

bedbugbilly · August 8, 2016, 07:41 PM

A lot simpler just to do the "Colt twist" when cocking. Been doing that for 50 plus years and rarely get a cap fragment problem and I would imagine that is what our ancestors did as well. Just call me "low tech".

44 Dave · August 8, 2016, 08:29 PM

Yes Billy but you can't fan and twist. Having the cap post helps time and reliability shooting against a clock.
My open tops all have bolt blocks, action stops, and cap posts. On an occasion I will fan a few rounds just because I can!

Hawg · August 8, 2016, 08:39 PM

I outgrew fanning about 45 years ago.

Beagle333 · August 8, 2016, 08:59 PM

I been doin' the "Colt flip" for a long time now and rarely have a cap jam, but I may do the Duelist technique and the combination of those two should eliminate it 100%.

drobs · August 9, 2016, 01:38 AM

I really haven't experience any horrible cap jams yet with my 2 1860's. But then again, I don't have enough rounds down range in either yet.

As they say - "knowledge is power" and next time someone complains about cap sucking we can refer them to this "simple" fix.

Simple for some...

August 7, 2016, 12:36 AM	#1
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Ah hah! The fix for Colt Open top - Cap Jams / Cap Sucking I've read about this fix here and elsewhere but hadn't seen detailed instructions on it. Well here they are: http://www.theopenrange.net/articles...p_and_ball.pdf Also called a "Cap Rake" __________________ NRA Life Member Last edited by drobs; August 7, 2016 at 02:05 AM.

August 8, 2016, 10:05 AM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Dualist has a less invasive fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4gkJaIQPZo __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 8, 2016, 03:21 PM	#5
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	I was thinking the post went between the base of the hammer and the internal action of the gun. Didn't realize the post was right behind the cap at the top of the hammer channel. Seems like these open tops are the only revolvers that have that huge gap into the internal working of the gun. I have drill press, a dremmel, center punch, and a vice, this mod looks pretty easy. __________________ NRA Life Member

August 8, 2016, 07:41 PM	#7
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	A lot simpler just to do the "Colt twist" when cocking. Been doing that for 50 plus years and rarely get a cap fragment problem and I would imagine that is what our ancestors did as well. Just call me "low tech". __________________ 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

August 8, 2016, 08:59 PM	#10
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	I been doin' the "Colt flip" for a long time now and rarely have a cap jam, but I may do the Duelist technique and the combination of those two should eliminate it 100%. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

August 7, 2016, 01:07 AM	#2
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Method #2 - the Manhattan Conversion: http://www.prepperforums.net/forum/b...er-colt-s.html http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/ind...?topic=38252.0 http://www.longhunt.com/web/index.ph...ssion-Revolver __________________ NRA Life Member Last edited by drobs; August 7, 2016 at 01:18 AM.

August 8, 2016, 01:07 PM	#4
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	It seems as if there is a few ways to do this. The cap rake I had installed on my '51 Navy works pretty well, but isn't a guarantee. I think there's something to Duelist's idea of cleaning up the rough hammer face, as I still get caps stuck to the hammer sometimes.

August 8, 2016, 04:29 PM	#6
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	Follow the Duelist's good advise AND set the hammer to nipple spacing to .005". With my Open-Top Colt clones set up like this I haven't had a cap jam in a couple of hundred rounds.

August 8, 2016, 08:29 PM	#8
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	Yes Billy but you can't fan and twist. Having the cap post helps time and reliability shooting against a clock. My open tops all have bolt blocks, action stops, and cap posts. On an occasion I will fan a few rounds just because I can!

August 8, 2016, 08:39 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I outgrew fanning about 45 years ago.

August 9, 2016, 01:38 AM	#11
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	I really haven't experience any horrible cap jams yet with my 2 1860's. But then again, I don't have enough rounds down range in either yet. As they say - "knowledge is power" and next time someone complains about cap sucking we can refer them to this "simple" fix. Simple for some... __________________ NRA Life Member