Dry fire snap caps?

[RA40]

I've been using the B's b-unique-enterprises snap caps for a decade some odd. I've been pleased. While looking I came across these from the eBay seller 82ndparachuterigger, any experiences with them? Are they equal to the B's version?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/9MM-LUGER-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[RA40]

Price was $15 for 15 so put an order in and they arrived today. They weigh in at 11 grams and the OAL are 1.075" to 1.12" with most being 1.10" and 1.11". I've used one for about 15 hits and the primer cushion is just starting to dimple. Seem pretty close to where the B's versions are. The Smith Wesson 6904 firing pin has the most extension so these rounds in that one are usually gone by 60 hits. The B's 9mm dummy rounds last to about 90-100 hits in the other 9mm handguns.

The head stamps run from FC, Speer, Win, Hornady on this batch. Pretty clean so they don't look to be well used fired cases nor overly tumbled that the extractor groove is rounded over. Pleased and the price allows me to get a handful more.

 

[RA40]

Did some drills with the S&W and this is how it looks some 30 hits later. This one cartridge didn't last as long as expected. The firing pin material seems kind of soft to take many firing pin hits. Oh well, I still am trying to find a suitable material to fill the primer pockets on the old dummy rounds that have accumulated.

 

[chicharrones]

I've used the snap caps with a spring loaded "primer" and the Azoom type with the polymer/silicone/whatever "primer".

The spring loaded brass primers take hits longer than the plastic "casing" that they are mounted to. The Azooms are better at manually cycling, but the silicone "primer" does get a permanent dimple sooner than I'd like. I've never done a dry fire count on either type of snap cap.

I've also made my own using empty brass and filling the primer pocket with clear silicone sealant . Better than nothing, but don't feed worth a crap with no bullet installed, and since I'm still not a reloader . . .

 

[RA40]

I suspect that the maker used a silicone with a red colorant added. I was thinking of a brass rod and a bit of silicone in the primer pocket to allow a firmer but still slightly cushioned impact. These are great for weight simulation and slide cycling practice drills.

 

[chicharrones]

I suspect that the maker used a silicone with a red colorant added. I was thinking of a brass rod and a bit of silicone in the primer pocket to allow a firmer but still slightly cushioned impact. These are great for weight simulation and slide cycling practice drills.

I thought you made those yourself using red RTV silicone gasket sealant. I didn't realize a manufacturer made those.

 

[JTQ]

Ernest Langdon has a video where the interviewer asks him about dry fire and snap caps.

He said he typically doesn't use them. Sure, he wears out firing pins, but he also wore out snap caps when using them. Price wise, it was pretty much a wash, and he just replaces the firing pins on a normal service cycle and doesn't worry about it.

Here's the video, starting around the 22:45 mark

 

[RA40]

The cost ratio to replace the FP is easier. Thanks for that video.

 

[JTQ]

You're welcome.

I still use snap caps to practice mag changes and slide cycling, but don't usually use them for dry fire.

 

[chicharrones]

I like snap caps for older guns with harder to find parts, Ruger revolvers, and rimfire guns of just about any type. Of course, I simply use plastic wall anchors for rimfire snap caps.

 

[stonebuster]

Many say you don't need them to protect the firing pin on center fire revolvers but I use them anyway. It can't hurt an it might help. I use the spring loaded "primer" type but I don't do thousands of dry fires. The Range Max brand has held up so far and i just ordered a few Carlson brand to compare. A few dry fires to check function and a few mixed in with live fire at the range makes any flinching obvious.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm still using the ones that came with my CZ P01! Got about 4 or 5 of them in a little plastic bag and I put them in my other 9mm. pistols. Picked up some more of them when I got a P07 for Christmas a couple of years ago.