New O/U shotgun and snap caps???

[cbmax]

Hi all,

I just bought a Beretta Silver Pigeon I 20/28 combo field gun. The instructions state that the gun should be stored with the firing pin springs decocked and suggests the use of snap caps.

Can somebody recommend quality snap caps that don't cost a fortune but last for more than one use? I hope I don't need to spend $60 a set for the ones that come from Orvis.

I honestly didn't think snap caps were necessary on anything except rim fire guns.

CB

 

[glove]

A-Zoom makes some nice 12 ga. snap caps I paid around $9 -10 a few years ago for a set of 2.

 

[cbmax]

I read that the A-Zoom snap caps get torn up after the first use since they are made from aluminum.

I bought them once for my AR-15 and had that exact experience.

I will pass on the A-Zoom's.

CB

 

[Sentry71]

I have a set of A-Zoom 12ga snap caps for my Winchester SXP, and I have cycled them through the gun with no issues probably 50+ times. The little silicone impact "primer" is still intact and usable.

Yes, the edges of the cap can get buggered up if you drop them onto concrete, but the fact that you are loading them by hand, using them to decock the gun, then opening the breech and removing them by hand - I don't see how they would get torn up doing that.

 

[rcmodel]

A-Zoom is a good as it gets for a double barrel.

Like Sentry71 said, if you catch them when they eject, there is nothing going on with a double gun that could hurt them.

At least not like a slam-bang AR-15 bolt and extractor snapping over the rim each & every time you load them.

rc

 

[oneounceload]

AZOOMS are all I use in every one of my shotguns - they will last a lot longer than the red and clear plastic ones

You can also use a piece of horn or hardwood against the breech face to release them while the gun is disassembled, then just reassemble the gun for storage

 

[cbmax]

I bought some Pachmyer snap caps for the 20 gauge. On your recommendations I will try the A-Zooms for the 12 and 28 gauges. So far the Pachmyers are working well.

CB

 

[LibShooter]

My dad always used empty shells. He sprayed them down and cleaned them up, used them a few times and made a whole new set the next time he went shooting.

 

[NoAlibi]

cbmax - Just curious...you bought a Beretta Silver Pigeon I 20/28 combo field gun and you're worried about spending too much for snap caps?

I'll bet most of us would like to have that delemma!

Enjoy your gun.....Doc

 

[cbmax]

Doc,

I stressed over buying a field gun for months. Trust me it wasn't easy for me to drop that kind of coin. I ended buying the combo on my wife's advice because it would save me in the long run. You have to admit that $60 on a set of "designer" snap caps is ridiculous. Sure they were all metal and polished but still not worth it. The shotgun I will own forever!

CB

 

[oneounceload]

cbmax - go to csmc's website - Galazan has deluxe nickel plated brass or or gold plated brass for $30/pair or ones with the wooly chambers part for 20/pair

http://www.csmcspecials.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=snap+caps&Submit=Search

some are even on sale

 

[NoAlibi]

cbmax - Yup, I'll admit that spending $60 on a set of "designer" snap caps would be out of the question for me too.

FWIW I use A-Zoom snap caps in all of my guns. They don't get much of a workout since I only use them to decock the hammers or strikers. To date I haven't had any problems with them. YMMV.....Doc