Help with jammed bullet in Colt 1860 cylinder

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Partisan

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Hello guys!

I pressed .451 conical bullet into one chamber of my Colt 1860 Army but it was exteremely wet and humid so my colt haven't fired:(

Cap ignited well but black powder and bullet still in the chamber. I've tried several caps and after all decided to disassemble revolver, remove nipples and black powder to avoid sudden fire.

So at this moment I have cylinder with conical bullet inside.

I failed to press it out (usind my own efforts) by metal stick from the nipple side of the cylinder's chamber

I want to try the same with hammer but I'm afraid to damage the chamber surface

What is the best way to release bullet without damages to the cylinder?

:banghead:

P.S. I suppose the bullet could be fired if I fill the chamber with BP from the nipple side but I think it could be quite dangerous during loading and assembling. I want to find safe mechanical issue :)
 
I suggest a brass pin punch in the appropriiate size, wrap the shaft with tape to prevent damage to your nipple threads and hammer the ball out.
41976.gif
 
I'd squirt water down the nipple and drench the powder thoroughly to prevent its discharge. Pop the cylinder into a vise which has leather wrapped on its jaws (to prevent scratching the cylinder) and then get a stuck ball remover (same type the blackpowder riflemen use). It looks like a wood screw and fits on the end of a ramrod (if you don't have one, find someone who has a single shot black powder pistol). Screw the stuck ball remover into the bullet and pull it out. After the offending conical has been removed, flush out the cylinder of the wet powder. Dry thoroughly. Reassemble.
 
Since you're dealing with only a revolver cylinder and not a single shot pistol, everything Gary said would be best, but a sheetrock screw held tightly with vice-grip pliers works well, too. (just in case you can't find someone with a stuck ball remover).

Just be careful not to bend the screw because they won't straighten well, they'll snap off instead!
 
Kids, don't try this at home!

BTW, one Confederate got his conical bullet stuck in the bore of his Kerr target (sharpshooter) rifle. Instead of returning it to the armourer for repair, he decided to melt it out. Well, he ruined one fine rifle.:uhoh:
 
It's pretty easy to position a nail point on the back of the ball and then tap it out with a hamer. I've done this several times without coming anywhere near the chamber walls.
 
Otherwise you could let the cylinder dry out... load BP from the back... tighten nipple attach cap and go bang as well.

But the nail does work. I just tried it.....
 
Partisan.
Another option, since you wrote you failed to press the bullet out from the nipple side.

Drill a small hole in the bullet from the front.
Screw in a (wood) screw, if you do not have a bullet puller.
Slowly wiggle and pull untill finally the ball will come loose.
No hammering or other uncontrolable force needed.
I got the ball out this way once.
 
Ufff...You are great! I've tried most advices (except special wooden screwdriver)

Actually there was the same problem with two bullets

First one was released by thick nail and hammer (from the nipple side)

It was really easy, the nail hits the very center of the bullet without any contact with cylinder.

But the second bullet was terrible. Nail gone through it and I made a conical with a serious tunnel in blocked bullet

I couldn't find any really hard wood tool so I took a drill bit (diameter a bit smaller than cylinder's chamber inner diameter)...and...step by step...slowly and extremely accurate drilled the main amount of soft lead.
As a result I obtained a lead cylinder with thin walls in the chamber.

I took sushi stick :) and slowly removed all lead parts from the chamber. Ufff

Now my .44 is dry, clean and ready.

Thank you for nice advices and solutions!
 
What Mec said. I don't even use a hammer. I keep mine loaded in my dresser drawer at night, and change it out periodically. I just remove the nipple, stick in a large nail, and then pound it, holding the cylinder, on the table. It pops right out.

I'm surprised you went all the way through the bullet on the second one. Try a thicker nail...?

happybrew
 
"I'm surprised you went all the way through the bullet on the second one. Try a thicker nail...?"

Maybe a dumb question, but you did grind the point off the nail first, didn't you?

Jim
 
"Maybe a dumb question, but you did grind the point off the nail first, didn't you?"

Sure. I think the nail was too thin, but it was much easier to use other tools, just half an hour.

But I will find appropriate nail for such cases.

Good tool is a key to success in any work.

I had all necessary tools for my revolver except this one:)
 
I saw something at a gun store to day that is "supposed" to work-
T?C makes a CO2 thing that attaches tot he nipple and opos the ball out-
Edited to add-
It seems Cabelas has something called a CO2 discharger and then you have to buy the adapter that applies to your weapon.
Don't know if work or not but would be interested in hearing if it does-
read several reviews on Cabelas and here saying they work but could not tell if applied to pistols which is where I might need it.
Otherwise I am going to get a nail or punch just for this problem and put it in my bag...soon
 
Last edited:
The nail works good. make sure you file down the point. then make sure it fits loosly in the nipple area. you do not want to mess up the threads. i take a big socket or close my vise to about 3/4 inch open then place a piece of card board on each piece then place the cylinder on top with the cylinder with the ball between the opening. Then use the hammer and nail and hit it out. a few whacks and it will come out. had one time the nail got stuck in the ball. So i just cut the head off of it and it came out.
 
This thread is over two years old.

Oldfalguy: yes, the CO2 discharger works quite well. It's primarily for use on long guns with closed breeches; the adapters are for different sized nipples and flintlock touch holes.
 
I agree, if after 2 years of trying, he should take it to a gunsmith
 
The CO2 dischargers work well. Remove the cylinder, hold it in your hand pointed downrange. Keep your fingers well clear, apply the discharger to the nipple.
 
Yes I am to blame for the CPR of this thread-Sorry
I searched for a thread related to stuck balls to see what remedy the board considered best and recalled what I had seen today-
LIke in any hobby there is a gimmick or two that are less than useful-
It appears the co2 dischargers may be something to consider.
 
I've done the nail trick, but with a twist: I found a nail with a head that almost fit through the nipple hole, dressed the nail head until it did fit the hole, attached a small file handle to the sharp end of the nail, wrapped the shaft of the nail with electrical tape, and added this gadget to my shooting kit.

If I have a misfire that won't work later - or if I pull a stupid and load a ball on an empty chamber - I just pull the nipple, insert the nail head, press the file handle, and pick up the ejected ball. No problem.
 
With a misfire, what I've done is take the nipple off and get the bad powder out with a wire and pour powder in and replace the nipple cap and fire.

Be careful with the nipple treads metal is soft.
 
I've used my Hoppes brass cleaning rod for this, minus the cleaning jag of course. Works great on my Remmie and Dragoon, and it's always in my kit bag.

Little to no danger of damaging the nipple hole threads, and no worries about scoring the cylinder wall. Remove nipple, insert rod, and whack the handle. Rinse and repeat for additional cylinders - not that I ever had to do the more than once, as far as you all know. :)
 
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