I recently acquired a pretty beat up Pietta 1851 Navy in .36 caliber.  The revolver is brass framed and has a round barrel.  I am having trouble finding the right sized caps for the nipples.  #10 are way too small, and #11's are still too small.  Obviously I need larger caps but on all the forums I have read people talk about using smaller #10 and #11 caps on their 1851 Pietta's.  This pistol is well used and I do not know the history behind it.  Is it possible that the previous owner installed larger nipples?  Or did they come factory with larger ones?  Any input is appreciated.

Someone has been dry firing it and has "mushroomed" the nipples. You can probably remove the nipples and dress them back to spec with file.

I suspected this may be the case.  I have already ordered a new set of #11 nipples from midway.  I appreciate the input.

Let us know how it works - got stainless steal backups incase i need em for my uberti from track of the wolf.

My .44 1851 (I know, it never really existed) had the same problem. A guy at the range saw a few of us shooting our cap and ball revolvers and he thought it looked like fun instead of going through 300+ rounds of 9mm in a session like he usually does. He went to Cabela's and bought the 1851, 2 pounds of 777, 500 caps, Bore Butter, capper, 200 round balls and the full "Starter Kit" and asked me to meet him at the range so he could learn how to load it.

Unfortunately he spent too much time at home dry firing and ruined the nipples. I think we got three chambers to fire. He was frustrated and said that BP wasn't for him. He sold me everything for $150. I told him to just buy a set of nipples and I'd install them but he didn't want anything to do with it.

Thanks for the input, I have a set on order.  Do you find that #11's fit best on a stock pietta?

Yes, #11 caps work well. I usually slightly pinch them when I put them on to ensure they do not fall off before firing. I've tried #10's but they are so small for Piettas that they sometimes don't even fire the first hammer hit.

Track of the Wolf sells their own in house nipples that are made for 11s.  If you want the best, Slix-Shot at $36 a set, are made for 10s.  Problem is, 10s and 11s are different sized among CCI and Remington......and then there are the German ones (RWS)  that are 1075s..

The #11 nipples from traditions came today.  CCI #11 caps are a little loose but they work.

Just pinch them when you put them on. That's how I've always loaded mine.

CCI caps run a little snugger than Remington.  You can fine-tune your fit by peening the caps so they mushroom just a bit, then sanding until you get that perfect fit.

I know what you meant, but don't peen the caps- peen the nipples!

Works if they are only a wee bit loose.
Recoil will un-seat them.