Is there any problem with making your own dummy rounds instead of buying snapcaps? Would it be OK to use a fired primer and seat a bullet, or would it be better to decap and fill the primer pocket with epoxy?
I have made my own .38, .357, and .45 dummies so as to duplicate my actual ammo for speedloader and moonclip loading practice, so it is no trouble to do.
But you MUST be EXTREMELY careful to keep them away from loaded ammo to avoid unwanted loud noises at home. Hmmm. I think I will go stripe my dummies for easy identification.
You can use silicone caulk in the primer pocket. I also drill a couple of holes in the case and deburr for easier ID. Crimp them really well if you want to use them for function-checking.
I made some with the aforementioned caulked primer holes (seemed to be the most durable), and have also tried it with hot glue and pencil erasers in the primer holes.
In place of bullets, I used trimmed-down electrical wire nuts, secured with hot glue. They are brightly colored to help with identification.
I made some up to practice loading my 625. Left the fired primers in, used the same bullet as in "hot" rounds and put them in a couple of moon clips, then used some white nail polish on the whole top or primer side. Pretty easy to see thet are the dummies and I get to use the same approximate weight when practicing.
I have done this before and it worked right up until the firing pin pierced the primer. By the way, a 1911 firing pin will eventually pierce a used primer and get stuck. It happened to me.
I painted mine purple with a Sharpie. It's pretty distinctive, plus it has a green eraser for a primer. I guess the Sharpie will eventually wear off, but I can fix that.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.