Nipple Problems

[9th VA Asian]

So I just bought a double barrel percussion shotgun for cheap with a good barrel. Problem is I can't get the nipples off to save my life. I've tried soaking it in liquid wrench and other stuff, heated the barrel to loosen them. Nothing works! I'd say theyre permanently fused and now they're worn down to near impossible to unscrew. Would it be a bad idea to bore out the nipples for removal and retap it? I'm not a gun smith but drilling and tapping I have experience with and would be confident in it.

Suggestions?? Thanks!

 

[Cpl. Smith]

experts will be along shortly

 

[Craig L Barry]

If you do take this step it is certainly a job for which you want to obtain the services of a professional gunsmith. The gunsmith may also be able to remove the percussion cones without drilling them out.

 

[cwbuff]

If you don't want to take it to a gunsmith, and you want to try it yourself there are some tricks you can try (assuming you have the tools or are willing to buy them). Try using Kroil penetrating oil, but keep it away from the hammer springs - I have seen them snap when soaked with penetrating oil. Get a set of screw extractors with a size that will fit into the nipple. Put the screw extractor in an impact driver (cordless electric type). Depending on the impact driver, you may need an adaptor to attach the screw extractor to the chuck of the impact driver. If this does not work, then you will have to drill it out and tap it for the appropriate size nipple. In the end it may be less expensive to take it to a gunsmith.

 

[WJC]

Try using Kroil penetrating oil, but keep it away from the hammer springs - I have seen them snap when soaked with penetrating oil.

Now THAT'S a tip I'm glad to learn! Thanks!

 

[DixieRifles]

I may have the same problem with my black powder boot pistol that I bought.
See thread at: Got a "New" pistol

My nipple is obviously rusted but it is also chipped away. The base does not have the flat or hex shape. Instead it is a thin base with two notches that require a special tool to remove it. Even if I removed it, I doubt I could find a nipple that would match in size and thread. It might be possible to re-thread it but for now I plan to use it as is but only for firing blanks. I'm debating if it is worth repairing the corrosion in the bore and firing live rounds.

 

[9th VA Asian]

Thanks for the tip! I did try

If you don't want to take it to a gunsmith, and you want to try it yourself there are some tricks you can try (assuming you have the tools or are willing to buy them). Try using Kroil penetrating oil, but keep it away from the hammer springs - I have seen them snap when soaked with penetrating oil. Get a set of screw extractors with a size that will fit into the nipple. Put the screw extractor in an impact driver (cordless electric type). Depending on the impact driver, you may need an adaptor to attach the screw extractor to the chuck of the impact driver. If this does not work, then you will have to drill it out and tap it for the appropriate size nipple. In the end it may be less expensive to take it to a gunsmith.

Thanks for the tip! I tried the screw extractor but I'll try again using the oil and impact driver. One of the nipples is past the point of using a nipple wrench so I may have to resort to tapping at some point. At least that process I'm familiar with.

 

[Copperhead-mi]

I've removed scads of rusted in nipples over the years and found that usually the upper portion of the nipple will break away when using an easy out if she is really rusted into the barrel so what I've always done is take a drill bit the size of the nipple hole and drill down into the nipple and through its internal base. then stand the barrel up and pour Kroil down the barrel till you see it leaking out of the nipple hole and plug that hole up to stop the leakage. Sit the barrel standing up for 24 hours so the Kroil penetrates into the nipple's threads and dissolves the rust. Now use your easy out and that nipple will come right out. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[cwbuff]

I've removed scads of rusted in nipples over the years and found that usually the upper portion of the nipple will break away when using an easy out if she is really rusted into the barrel so what I've always done is take a drill bit the size of the nipple hole and drill down into the nipple and through its internal base. then stand the barrel up and pour Kroil down the barrel till you see it leaking out of the nipple hole and plug that hole up to stop the leakage. Sit the barrel standing up for 24 hours so the Kroil penetrates into the nipple's threads and dissolves the rust. Now use your easy out and that nipple will come right out. Hasn't failed me yet.

Good advise on getting the Kroil also working on the inside. Black powder + steel = corrosion.

 

[9th VA Asian]

Well I did it! Couldn't get my hands on any kroil, but the nipple snapped anyway so I had to drill it. Luckily that loosened it up and didn't need to retap it and I was precise enough that the threading was mostly intact. Just needed to chase it a bit to clean it. Apparently oil down the barrel wouldn't have worked anyway because one of the barrels was packed with dirt at the base! Lol. Thanks for the insight though everyone! Gonna order some kroil in case this happens in the future

 

[cwbuff]

Congrats - It always feels good when you figure it out.

 

[sourdough]

When you install the new nipple(s) use a copper-based anti-sieze compound. Your life will be very easy after that.

New nipples? Try:

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/

Jim

 

[John Winn]

Well now, this isn't exactly what I thought when I saw the title.

BJ

 

[Booner]

Well now, this isn't exactly what I thought when I saw the title.

BJ

Yes, me too. I was gonna recommend bag balm. 10,000 cows can't be wrong.