Stupid Question... Snap Caps?

[Chase.]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had ever tried using a spent shell as a snap cap to protect the firing pin when dry firing. I was thinking of trying this on my Enfield SMLE as the local gun store does not sell .303 British snap caps... is this a stupid idea? Will it damage the firing pin?

Thanks

 

[CoastieShep]

Quite a few have done it. Just decap, fill pocket with hot glue, pencil eraser, RTV, and press a new projectile into the case for feeding issues, mark the case as a snap cap somehow and VIOLA! you have a snap cap.

 

[Naybor]

If you use a spent shell, the primer is relatively soft and will dent to the point that the firing pin is no longer hitting it. Some guns should definitely NOT be dry fired. CoastieShep has a good idea there that should work ok. I've never tried that.

 

[Birddog1911]

That is a pretty good idea of filling the primer pocket!

One thing I like to do with snap caps is with my auto loading rifles and pistols. I'll have a buddy drop one or two in different magazines when I'm not looking. This forces me into immediate action drills, so that if it ever happens for real, I'll not fumble around with it.

 

[Z-Michigan]

What CoastieShep said. And Naybor is right, if you just use a plain empty the primer will be pushed out of the way within very few strikes (2? 3?) and then you're no better off than not using one.

You may also want to a drill hole through the sides of the case to make it crystal clear it's a snap cap and not a live or spent round.

Most modern firearms and most military weapons from WWII onward (the CZ-52 is the one exception I know of) can be dry fired extensively with no damage.

 

[bigfatdave]

If you use a spent shell, the primer is relatively soft and will dent to the point that the firing pin is no longer hitting it.

Indeed.

Really, a snap-cap (or a set of them) isn't that expensive, and there is something to be said about a bright red or purple thing that is obviously NOT a live round.
If you do make your own, please do make them obviously NOT live ammo through color, drilling, or some other method more obvious than a primer pocket full of goop. And inspect/replace that cushion as needed, too ... no point if you're not keeping the thing in good shape.

 

[nalioth]

Most modern firearms and most military weapons from WWII onward (the CZ-52 is the one exception I know of) can be dry fired extensively with no damage.

As Z-Michigan points out, these weapons were designed to be dry fired more often than live fired. Most soldiers spend more time cleaning and doing functions checks (which includes dry firing) than actually firing them, and military weapons are built with that in mind.


I'd not worry about the snap caps

 

[Dr.Rob]

Fired cases are often out of spec and won't re-chamber, even blanks.

Midway, Brownell's sell .303 snap caps.