chain fire?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

O.K., I've been thinking about this for quite some time....hopefully someone can give me a logical & scientifically based answer.
I have read that you need to put a dolop of grease, lubricant, or whatever on a cap and ball revolver to prevent a ''chain fire", where a spark from a round will sneak in and set off all the remaining chambers at once.
Sounds logical, but riddle me this, Batman.......if I am using an oversized ball, and when I push that ball in the mouth of the chamber it shaves off some lead off the side, isn't the chamber "sealed" and safe from a chain fire? I mean, how on earth is a spark going to 'sneak in' and set off the powder in the chamber?
....and wont that dolop of grease potentially act as a bore obstruction, increasing chamber pressures?
I know we all do it, and I load & fire my Remington copy that way, but some of it just don't make no sense......
Enquiring minds would like to know...........

[skeet]

I've often wondered that myself..but have known of 2 chain fires. One was in a Ruger and the other in a replica..The replica actually flew apart..the Ruger was ok. One set off 3 other chambers and the other 2. Seems they were using slightly undersize balls though...Guess they needed bigger...er...ahh..balls!..I am sure in the distant past that same thing happened.easier to load undersize than ..well you get the point..BUT seriously..I do agree with you. Whoever said Robin was not the brightest bulb on the tree was obviously wrong. I no longer shoot my original Colts..but did shoot the ol Navy Arms replica a couple of weeks ago. Just had to remind myself how much I hate cleaning those BP guns...and then a few weeks later..having to do it agian..just in case....Reminds me..I gotta check the ol gun today..just in case...huh..a play on words..it is in a case.

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

I read an article in "Muzzle Blasts" magazine a while ago on the subject of chain fires in C&B revolvers. The author made a case for the spark coming in by way of the nipples. I dunno. At least the dollop of grease/crisco on top of the seated balls lubes the bore on firing.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I read an article in "Muzzle Blasts" magazine a while ago on the subject of chain fires in C&B revolvers. The author made a case for the spark coming in by way of the nipples.

Sorry, Adam, but with all due respect, I think that author is full o'crap!

THE NIPPLES!!!!! the sparks/flame come out the front of the chamber.....in order for that to happen, the spark would have to come out the front, make a 90 degree turn, then quickly make another 90 degree turn, do a little traveling, make another 90 degree turn, then another (and all this time stay lit) and then find a tiny little pin hole (that, by the way, should have a CAP on it!) and ignite the powder.

Is this the same guy who came up with the JFK assassinations "magic bullet" theory?

Take care and be well.......................

[dovehunter]

I don't know that they're any more resistant to chain firing than a glob of Crisco but the dry lube impregnated fiber wads certainly are a lot less messy and, at least to me, quicker and easier to use.

[GoodOlBoy]

I have heard people make the "it started in the nipple" argument, I dunno, weirder things have happened. All I know is it only takes a dollap of grease to prevent it. . . .

GoodOlBoy

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

I think it was the Bevel Brothers pushing the "nipple theory" and, like you, I was skeptical. I use Wonder wads under the ball or crisco atop the balls and never had a problem.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I have heard people make the "it started in the nipple" argument, I dunno, weirder things have happened. All I know is it only takes a dollap of grease to prevent it. . . .

Ah, yes....but do you grease the nipple?

but the dry lube impregnated fiber wads certainly are a lot less messy and, at least to me, quicker and easier to use.

I've used the wads as well, and they are convenient, but don't make the mistake I did and use them with conicals....with a 30 grain charge of FFFg, the wads will cause the conical to protrude from the chamber mouth and prevent the cylinder from rotating!

Let me tell you, the air was blue on the range that day, and not from black powder smoke!