phantomak47
Member
Is there an avantage to using snap caps while dry firing on modern autos even dry firing is deemed ok even by the gun maker?
Is there added protection for the firing pin?
Is there added protection for the firing pin?
Is there any point to Snap Caps for modern autos??
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GreenFurniture
Member
No point in them at this time unless you're using a rimfire.
Phil DeGraves
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The reason was to insure that no live ammo could be inserted into the pistol during "practice".
Phil DeGraves
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Same thing. The revolver ring style snap caps, prevent insertion of live ammo. Dryfiring without snap caps will not harm modern centerfire revolvers.
Jamie C.
Member
I've read a number of reports, over the years, of both autos and revolvers developing cracks around the firing pin hole in the breech face, from dry firing without snap caps.
I've also read about the same number of reports by people claiming to have dry fired various makes and models of auto and revolver, without any damage or ill effect, for many years.
And although I doubt dry firing will damage most handguns, I figure "better safe than sorry", and don't do much dry firing without a snap cap in place to buffer the firing pin.
J.C.
I've also read about the same number of reports by people claiming to have dry fired various makes and models of auto and revolver, without any damage or ill effect, for many years.
And although I doubt dry firing will damage most handguns, I figure "better safe than sorry", and don't do much dry firing without a snap cap in place to buffer the firing pin.
J.C.
I use them
For both dry fire and live practice. Call me crazy, but I like for the firing pin to hit something during dry fire. I know that it probably wont harm the gun to dryfire without them, but a snap cap is cheaper than a firing pin or a FP spring, so why take a chance.
For live fire they are great for FTF drills, or for beginers, to help identify and correct flinching. So i feel that they are a good training aid for any skil level.
For both dry fire and live practice. Call me crazy, but I like for the firing pin to hit something during dry fire. I know that it probably wont harm the gun to dryfire without them, but a snap cap is cheaper than a firing pin or a FP spring, so why take a chance.
For live fire they are great for FTF drills, or for beginers, to help identify and correct flinching. So i feel that they are a good training aid for any skil level.
Bobo
Member
Some manufacturers say not to dry fire without snap caps - check your manual or contact the manufacturer.
Beatnik
Member
Ok, so here's a question....
Just bought a Steyr. The user's manual doesn't say anything about dry firing for practice, but it does say to dry fire in the process of field stripping.
I can probably assume it's safe, right?
Just bought a Steyr. The user's manual doesn't say anything about dry firing for practice, but it does say to dry fire in the process of field stripping.
I can probably assume it's safe, right?
I have mixed feelings about snap caps. I agree with some posters that the firing pin was designed to hit something and, while it my not do major damage by not having anything in the camber, I like the idea of a snap cap. HOWEVER, I think it is a major safety issue to practice with a weapon that has anything in the chamber. When dry firing you are sure nothing is in the chamber, when using a snap cap there is some chance in hell that you accidentally have a live round ant not a snap cap in there. I know it sounds paranoid, and it probably is, but its just my opinion after all.
Phil DeGraves
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If a snap cap is in there, then you can't possibly have a live round in it. That's the whole point of the snap cap. To insert it, forces you to open the chamber and check. If you can't tell the difference between a snap cap and a cartridge, then you probably shouldn't have a gun, or be allowed to drive, or take medication or have pets, etc. etc.
I have read at least a couple of reports about Sigs losing their firing pin drift pin after extensive non-snap dry-firing.
I use them. I figure, if the FP is only being moved 1/16" on hammer strike, and the inertia is still enough to slap the pin into the primer and ignite it, then the FP is moving pretty fast. Whether the spring stops it against the rear of the pin, or there's a stop at the front of the pin ... ouch.
In addition to the caps "cheery color" being a safety feature, I have a tendency to visually inspect the chambered "round" each time.
I use them. I figure, if the FP is only being moved 1/16" on hammer strike, and the inertia is still enough to slap the pin into the primer and ignite it, then the FP is moving pretty fast. Whether the spring stops it against the rear of the pin, or there's a stop at the front of the pin ... ouch.
In addition to the caps "cheery color" being a safety feature, I have a tendency to visually inspect the chambered "round" each time.
If you want to see why I like them...
Field strip a 1911. Flip the slide upside down, and use a pen or a small punch to push in the firing pin ( you may need an extra hand to push in the safety thing). See how far out you can push it. The firing pin moves about 1/16” to hit a primer, but it can go out a lot more than that. Now, I’m no engineer, but doing that repeatedly can’t be good.
Field strip a 1911. Flip the slide upside down, and use a pen or a small punch to push in the firing pin ( you may need an extra hand to push in the safety thing). See how far out you can push it. The firing pin moves about 1/16” to hit a primer, but it can go out a lot more than that. Now, I’m no engineer, but doing that repeatedly can’t be good.
FieroCDSP
Member
Since I'm a lowly retail employee, any firearm represents a significant investment. You buy a car, you try to take care of it. You buy a gun, you try to take care of it. Simple as that. Doesn't the gun deserve the decency of being cared for 
? Whether dry-fire is actually harmful is a minor detail compared to whether it is potentially harmful. I'd rather plop down a few bucks on snap-caps than to send it in for repair. I just wish they'd use a more visible color, like Day-Glo orange.
? Whether dry-fire is actually harmful is a minor detail compared to whether it is potentially harmful. I'd rather plop down a few bucks on snap-caps than to send it in for repair. I just wish they'd use a more visible color, like Day-Glo orange.ZeSpectre
Member
I look at it like this.
Taurus says I can dry fire my Gaucho pistols without harm BUT I practice for cowboy action shooting which means I don't just click it a few times to check the function, I dryfire THOUSANDS of times in practice.
I'm starting to do the same thing with my Taurus Millennium Pro (DAO) with my draw-present-fire drills.
Seems to me that the sheer number of times I cycle the firing pin could lead to trouble if there isn't something (a snap cap) to absorb some of that energy.
I tend to go one step further and buy A-Zoom with the rubbery "primer" because they don't indent like the orange plastic ones.
Taurus says I can dry fire my Gaucho pistols without harm BUT I practice for cowboy action shooting which means I don't just click it a few times to check the function, I dryfire THOUSANDS of times in practice.
I'm starting to do the same thing with my Taurus Millennium Pro (DAO) with my draw-present-fire drills.
Seems to me that the sheer number of times I cycle the firing pin could lead to trouble if there isn't something (a snap cap) to absorb some of that energy.
I tend to go one step further and buy A-Zoom with the rubbery "primer" because they don't indent like the orange plastic ones.
mljdeckard
Member
I watched an interview with Todd Jarrett, he was saying anyone serious about accuracy should dry-fire religiously. He said he dry-fires millions of times a year. The interviewer asked him about snap-caps, he said he didn't bother. "If I haven't damaged my guns, you aren't going to damage yours."
PaulBk
Member
Kel-Tec
Kel-tec advises no dry firing without snap caps.
-PB
Kel-tec advises no dry firing without snap caps.
-PB
XD Fan
Member
Agreed, but this can also be true when dry-firing (you thought). Unfortunately, stupid mistakes happen. People remove a magazine but forgets to remove the round from the chamber. Someone gets distracted while picking up their snap cap and grabs a live round. Both scenarios result from carelessness, but they do happen. Just read some of the ND threads on this forum.
The key here is to be smart and practice all four gunhandling rules. keep it pointed in a safe direction always.
usp9
Member
I use them. Folks that don't, and dryfire often, are asking for trouble. Some guns less so, some guns more so, but every time you operate your trigger things bash into each other...period.
Why would you skimp on a two dollar part that may save extra wear on your weapon.., makes no sense to me.
Here's a link to a discussion concerning damage by dryfiring.
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/385108087?r=985109187#985109187
Why would you skimp on a two dollar part that may save extra wear on your weapon.., makes no sense to me.
Here's a link to a discussion concerning damage by dryfiring.
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/385108087?r=985109187#985109187
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Cliff47
Member
Not only do I use the snap-caps during dry-firing (not the factory ones provided withthe pistol) but I store each of my firearms with one in (each) chamber. First thing after picking up the firearm is to check the chamber (be it revolver or semi-auto), I always feel better when I see the snap-cap make its appearance. Call me anal about that, but I have not had an accidental discharge yet (knock on wood).
I recently acquired some .22lr rounds that had been deactivated, a touch of spray paint (red of course), and I had snap-caps for the .22lr pistols and rifles.
I recently acquired some .22lr rounds that had been deactivated, a touch of spray paint (red of course), and I had snap-caps for the .22lr pistols and rifles.
Cliff --- one possible problem with that approach (please, don't let me ruin your routine) is that, somewhere in your mind, you always know that's a Snap-Cap in there ... until it isn't. Like "always being loaded," but in reverse. Sort of.
I used to feel better about "unchambered." After awhile, I realized that the things were starting to "look" unloaded. Which kind of defeated the original idea, because you need to always BELIEVE they're loaded. Which changed the idea about "unchambered."
Did this make sense ...?
I used to feel better about "unchambered." After awhile, I realized that the things were starting to "look" unloaded. Which kind of defeated the original idea, because you need to always BELIEVE they're loaded. Which changed the idea about "unchambered."
Did this make sense ...?
Bobo
Member
Snap caps are inexpensive.
Snap caps never hurt a gun as far as I know.
Why not play it safe and use them?
Snap caps never hurt a gun as far as I know.
Why not play it safe and use them?
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