Bersa Thunder 380 & Snap Caps

[TEL]

This is probably a dumb question, but I'm sure you guys will be understanding.

I've got a Bersa Thunder 380 on order. I've never had or fired a semi-automatic, only revolvers.

I'd like to do some dry fire practice to familiarize myself with the new gun before acutally going to the range and plan to buy some snap caps to use for this practice.

Here's my question. Since this gun is of a blowback design, I understand that that means the ejection process is assisted by the discharge of the the ammunition. Since with snap caps there is no actual discharge, what happens? Will the snap cap still be ejected and the next one moved into the chamber. Will the slide and ejection process not occur. In other words, what will physically happen if I fill the magazine with snap caps and pull the trigger repeatedly. Will I be able to actually simulate the live fire process (without the recoil, of course)?

Thanks.

 

[FieroCDSP]

From my experiences with a PA-63, I'd have to say that you'd only need one snap cap in the gun unless you're practicing clearing or FTF drills. That's a nice thing about blowback actions. You can practice DA all you want, or cock the hammer for SA.

The slide will not cycle with a snap-cap, unless you do it by hand. There's no dischard to operate the slide.

 

[pap1105]

snap caps

i think you will have to work the slide manualy to eject and recock.

 

[Shipwreck]

NO need to even work the slide. Place the snap cap in, and pull the trigger. U will have to cock it each time (the hammer) if U want the trigger in SA mode - since the slide is not moving.

Now, many polymer frames pistols w/ a striker instead of an external hammer - THEN U have to move the slide.

But, it is easier with this type of gun.

The snap cap is basically just a piece of plastic to protect the firing pin. Otherwise, it is just like if you were pulling the trigger on an empty gun.

 

[DougW]

I carry a Bersa Thunder .380. Never used a snap cap with it. The manuel said it is OK to dry fire. Since it is a double action pistol, pulling the trigger on an EMPTY gun will be like pulling the trigger on your EMPTY revolver. To practice this, you must have an EMPTY magazine inserted in the pistol to dry fire anyway.

When the action cycles (loaded gun firing live ammo) the hammer will be cocked back after the first shot.

Thumb cocking the pistol is the only way to dry fire practice single action firing in an UNLOADED pistol. Again, you will have to have an empty magazine inserted, because the pistol has a magazine disconnect that renders the pistol un-operable with a magazine out of the pistol. You may want to practice de-cocking the pistol also, as both of mine were a little tight when they were new.

You picked a wonderful, accurate, and reliable pistol. You will really enjoy it.