Cap & Ball Revolver Safety Pins/Notches

Published on March 14, 2026
Duration: 4:55

This expert guide from Guns of the West explains the safety pins on Colt-style and safety notches on Remington-style cap and ball revolvers. While these features allow for loading six rounds by resting the hammer between chambers, the instructor highlights the inherent, albeit remote, risk of accidental discharge due to exposed nipples, especially on Remington models. He advises users to be aware of this vulnerability.

Quick Summary

Cap and ball revolvers have safety pins (Colt-style) or notches (Remington-style) between chambers. These allow the hammer to rest safely between rounds, locking the cylinder. However, they expose the adjacent nipple, posing a remote risk of discharge if the gun is dropped or hit.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Cap & Ball Safety
  2. 00:26Colt vs. Remington Safety Features
  3. 00:51Colt-Style Loading & Safety Debate
  4. 01:40Colt Safety Pin Mechanism
  5. 02:26Colt Safety Pin Vulnerability
  6. 03:04Remington Safety Notch Mechanism & Vulnerability
  7. 03:57Concluding Safety Advice
  8. 04:30Outro and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

How do safety pins on Colt-style cap and ball revolvers work?

On Colt-style revolvers, small protruding pins are located between the nipples. The hammer has a corresponding notch. When the hammer is placed between chambers, it engages these pins, locking the cylinder and preventing it from rotating.

What is the safety feature on Remington-style cap and ball revolvers?

Remington-style revolvers utilize safety notches located between the nipples on the cylinder frame. The hammer is designed to rest in these notches when positioned between chambers, thus locking the cylinder.

Is it safe to load six rounds in a cap and ball revolver using safety pins/notches?

While loading six rounds and using safety pins/notches prevents the hammer from resting directly on a live chamber, it leaves the adjacent nipple exposed. This carries a remote risk of accidental discharge if the firearm is dropped or struck.

Are Remington or Colt cap and ball revolvers safer when using safety features?

The Remington's design, when using safety notches, tends to expose the nipples more than the Colt's safety pins, potentially creating a greater vulnerability to accidental discharge from impact.

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