I put a pair of "Ampco" nipples on an I Hollis 12 gauge MLer shotgun some 50 years ago. I haven't used it much of late but shot it quite a bit for several years after acquiring it. They are still in it & still serviceable. As I recall they are made of Beryllium. It is a quite hard metal & very resistant to burning out. I do not know if they are still available or not. They do not look authentic but give better service & it's no big deal to have a set of steel ones when you want it to "Look Proper", it's not like it's a permanent modification.
I also use one of these on my 45 caliber caplock Long Rifle. I have some of the Italian made repros of the Colt Cap & Ball revolvers which I also need new nipples for. My problem with these is the #11 is too large & doesn't seat snugly. I have shot them some by squeezing the sides till they will stay on, but I don't like that loose fit. Problem is I have a Texas Patterson, Walker, Baby Dragoon, 1860 Army & an 1861 Navy so am looking at at least 28 new nipples. Good quality ones aren't all that cheap, at least for a Po Boy like me.
