Possible downside?

[STW]

I keep a snap cap in all my stored centerfire firearms. I use it as a visual reminder. If I rack the slide on a pistol something should go flying. If that hasn't happened I know I have not yet checked the chamber (the first time). Seeing it also reminds me that unless I have a magazine on the table next to the ejected snap cap there is now a live round in the chamber.

It also means I always have a snap cap available if anyone has the urge to dry fire something.

Is there a downside to this I haven't recognized? I'm thinking more gun preservation than safety; possibly something to do with air circulation, rust, etc. Of course I'll be happy to hear if there's a safety concern too.

 

[Zen21Tao]

you could become so accustom to the snap cap that you look at a live round and think in the back of your mind (even unconsiously) "oh... that's just a snap cap." Also if you have you kids see you dry firing snap caps they may thank that live rounds are no different. Another thought is that if someone breaks in and you have to defend yourself you have to eject the snap cap and rack a live round before doing so. You may not even think about having to doing this when you go to defend yourself under the pressure of life and death situation. Last thing I would want is to point a gun at an intruder, pull the trigger, and hear "click".

 

[Majic]

Downside? You become so accustom to what you do with your guns you could make a mistake with someone else's gun. Make a habit of checking for a empty chamber and not relying on something else to do it for you.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Is there a downside to this I haven't recognized? I'm thinking more gun preservation than safety; possibly something to do with air circulation, rust, etc. Of course I'll be happy to hear if there's a safety concern too.

I don't see an actual problem.

One of the reasons I keep all my center fire guns loaded at all times is so I'll never have any doubt: they're all loaded, and therefore need to be handled with complete care.

I can't imagine air circulation or the lack thereof would be a problem, but can imagine a bi-metallic connection—steel and brass or steel and aluminum—might eventually promote corrosion.