Are snapcaps really necessary?

[Feanaro]

Snap caps are also useful for practicing your reloads.

 

[stormyone]

Are snapcaps really necessary?


No.

 

[Colin Doyle]

In certain guns, yes. I firmly believe the frame-mounted pin in my M85 would not have become stuck in position had I used snap caps. The tapered pin was extending much farther into its bore than it ever would have under normal conditions (striking a primer or snap cap.)

Use snap caps - there is no reason not to. If $15 is too rich for your blood, go buy a secondhand Daisy BB gun.

Colin

 

[Floppy_D]

If you're just feeling cheap, silicone or pencil eraser will fill a primer pocket quite well. Do paint the critter bright orange or something, to avoid calamity.

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

I'm not cheap by any means but the last time I was at bass pro the 38/357 were 26.00 and 45colt was the same for a pack of 5. Even cabelas sells the 45colts in packs of 5 which makes no sense at all.

 

[HammerBite]

That is interesting.

Pachmayr has .38 Special and .45 Colt plastic snapcaps in sixpacks for $16.98 on their website.

Azoom has .38 Special, .357 Magnum and .45 Colt aluminum snapcaps in sixpacks for $18.98 on their website.

 

[Feanaro]

I do not recommend the blue Pachmayr snap caps. One broke in less than a month. The rest seem to be fine some months later but it's annoying only having five. The Azooms are quite solid.

 

[silverking]

I'm strongly in favor of the A-ZOOM snap caps. I use them for my draw and fire practice with the ccw pocket carry.

 

[BlindJustice]

Comment on CAnnoneer's points

1 - agreed on Semi-Auto and Slide,
Ejtractor
2 - The snap caps I have are RN-FMJ
and have a black slick finish and I suspect
they are made of non-brass, and no filler
inside i.;e. they are much lighter and feel
& sound different than live rounds when
you shake them in your hand, etc.

& another reason I am a convert to
using them, in my 625 loaded with 5
snap caps in a 6 round full moon clip,
the sharpness of the sound on the
empty cylinder doesn't sound good in
the long run,

YDryfireMV

 

[GeezerwithGuns]

I have a number of Colt revolvers and have seen info posted on the Colt forum by respected experts that snap caps in MK3 guns are absolutely necessary. These guns, if dry-fired can potentially break firing pins, and if that happens a trip to the factory is required (local gunsmiths likely cannot do the repairs). So I figure that the expense of snap caps is cost effective insurance, at least in my case.

 

[SwampWolf]

The Taurus manual for my 415 states: "Dry firing is bad for this gun, whether the hammer block is engaged or not." I could find no mention for the use of snap caps in the Taurus manual. My CZ pistol came with snap caps from the factory. My Smith & Wesson Model 52 pistol has a dry-fire recommended safety position. The manuals for my Ruger Vaquero and Super Single Six state: "The Ruger New Model revolvers can be dry-fired without damage to the firing pin or other components." The manual for my Beretta 92FS states:" (For dry-firing), insert a FIRED cartridge case or 'DUMMY' cartridge in the chamber to cushion the fall of the firing pin and eliminate the chance of firing pin breakage." The manuals for my HK and SIG pistols made no references to dry-firing or snap caps.

Obviously, different manufacturers have different ideas as to the question of dry-firing and snap caps. Speaking for myself, to play it safe, I try to employ snap caps when dry-firing any firearm- yes, even with my Rugers.

 

[jmt1271]

"Hi,
Yes you may dry-fire these revolvers. They will loosen up
a bit from the dry-firing. The trigger pull in DA would be about 10-13 lbs

We only offer J frame enhancements for these two models, which would
smooth out the action.

Thank you
kf"


From S&W on 26 december 2007. in response to my asking this very question, as well as asking them about "trigger jobs".