Do I need to use snap caps when dry firing my Model 317? It has a trigger equal to most J's, but I plan to dry fire some to smooth it out. The generic S&W manual is silent on this issue unless I missed that chapter (quite possible).

Thanks in advance.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Neither. I would not dry fire it or use snap caps in it. Just shoot it to avoid damage to the cylinder.

I can't say for sure about the 317, but personally I never purposely dry fire any rimfire. I have seen a few that had ignition issues due to divots peened into the edge of the chamber.

Zoom makes alum. snap caps for rimfire. I've used them for years in mine I've also used empty rimfire cases in the past. Zooms are great they are light blue anodized alum. ten in a package about twelve bucks.

Empty brass, and load them so an undinged part of the rim cushions the firing pin; you can get 6-8 uses out of each one.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks all. As I plan to keep the 317 long term I'll avoid doing anything but shooting it at the range. This is a great last resort carry or back-up to something larger.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

DO NOT dry fire a rimfire revolver............

get a box of #4-6-8 X 7/8" plastic wall anchors. they are about $7 for a box of 100 and will last a lot longer then regular snap caps.....

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There's nowt so queer as folk

Oh, no! Doom!!! Can I take back about 10,000 or so?

ETA: My rule for S&W .22 revolvers? Don't dry fire one that doesn't belong to you.

But all of mine have had no dramas with firing pin impact. Or FP breakage. My old 6" "Steel Challenge" Model 17 gets dry fired five times more than it gets shot, easily!.

Get these: SAF-T-TRAINERS - Brownells
They are the best. I have used them for years.

+1 for the PLASTIC DRY WALL ANCHORS (#4 x 7/8 long) from the hardware store or Lowe's, Home Depot.

For REVOLVER 22s they're CHEAP, WORK LONGER than many snap caps, they do spin in the chambers

so the firing pin does not hit the same place every time.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

From the horse's mouth. Third question down on S&W's FAQ list.

S&W FAQ

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!