Are you using a Canare RCA or something else? Instead of me rambling on, I think a picture might work better.
Anyway, if your using a Canare or a Belden your cable should look like this prior to "Snapping" on the RCA:
The braid will fold back when the RCA goes on but it will be pushed down or forward again when you put the coupler on.
Some RCA's however are a little different like the Eichman, Kimber etc but without knowing what it is your all using, this is the best I can do.
I would also treat the end with ProGold or something close to it prior to making your final connection.
