Traditional Muzzleloader Ignition Repair

Traditional muzzleloaders don’t forgive a bad ignition. When the nipple sits in rusted, chewed-up threads — or isn’t there at all — you get weak sparks, hangfires, or a gun that won’t fire. We restore the ignition port so a new nipple seats clean and the hammer can do its job.

This work is done at our shop in Blanch, North Carolina. Back to all Services.

Muzzleloader bolster as received, with the nipple missing and a rusted ignition port — As received: missing nipple, rusted ignition port, unusable threads. (Photo modified to obscure the serial number.)

Cleaned muzzleloader bolster with the ignition hole re-tapped — Cleaned to bare metal and re-tapped the hole. (Photo modified to obscure the serial number.)

New percussion nipple installed in the re-tapped muzzleloader port — New nipple installed in the threaded hole. (Photo modified to obscure the serial number.)

Completed muzzleloader ignition repair with the hammer reinstalled over the new nipple — Completed job with the hammer reinstalled. (Photo modified to obscure the serial number.)

What we do

Clean the bolster and port down to sound metal
Re-tap damaged or unusable threads
Install a new nipple
Reassemble and check the fit of the hammer

Pricing

Rough estimate about $120 for this job
Final is by estimate once we see the gun
Parts (nipple and related hardware) are extra

That $120 figure is a rough estimate for the work shown here. The final is by estimate once we see the gun. Parts are extra. Prices assume payment by cash or check unless we note otherwise. Lead times follow our general repair windows on the home page lead times table unless we give a different estimate for your job.

What to bring

Bring the muzzleloader fully unloaded. Tell us whether the nipple is missing or the threads are rusted or chewed up so we can plan the parts.

Getting started

Call or text 336-694-5739, or email [email protected]. Tell us the make and what the ignition is doing. We will look at the gun and confirm an estimate before we start.