[Karate]

What are snap Caps used for....Why would you need more than one...They will not make a gun cycle will it....Are they really needed.

[Airwolf]

The cap provides a cushion for the firing pin to land on, reducing stress on it and preventing premature failure. Some guns are sensitive to dropping the pin on an empty chamber, some aren’t.

There are some manufactures (Beretta for one) that state clearly in the manual that you should use a snap cap for dry firing

Some guns like 1911's won't bother them at all if you forgo the cap.

I for one always try and use one for any type of firing practice or breaking in a trigger where there will be LOTS of "shots". For just a pull or two like after reassembly or clearing, nope. If the gun is THAT delicate that it can't take an occasional hit without failing, I don't want it.

As for more than one... well around my house they tend to sprout legs and walk off. I just had to get another package of .40S&W's. I also use them to check the weapon's cycling and mag feed without having to be concerned about an ND should I do something stupid.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

If you're going to do ALOT of dry firing, yes they can be a good thing.

In .22 RF, they're a must.

I've used snap caps in my semi autos this way; count out enough rounds to fill the magazine, remove one and replace it with the snap cap. Close eyes and load the mag. Then inset mag, chamber and fire.

When the snap cap comes up it's a great way to practice the emergency clearage tap/rack/bang drill, with no advance warning.

[David Park]

When the snap cap comes up it's a great way to practice the emergency clearage tap/rack/bang drill, with no advance warning. It's also a good way to see if you're flinching. :o

[Graystar]

I remove the firing pin from my Ruger Mark II for dry-fire practice. Although I can't do that with my S&W M41.