There are recent threads re dry fire indicating that S&W does not recommend dry fire with any rim fire revolver. So I bought and received today a set of "Action Proving Rimfire Dummy Rounds" mfg by Pachmayr. They were listed on Brownells as snap caps. They are solid plastic.

GARBAGE. Every firing pin hit is a permanent deformation. How in hell is this TRASH able to receive another hit and still absorb the force of the firing pin? Can't!! May as well dry fire.

Using spent shells would be better and cheaper, $$$ down the drain with Pachmayr.

Bob

There are recent threads re dry fire indicating that S&W does not recommend dry fire with any rim fire revolver. So I bought and received today a set of "Action Proving Rimfire Dummy Rounds" mfg by Pachmayr. They were listed on Brownells as snap caps. They are solid plastic.

GARBAGE. Every firing pin hit is a permanent deformation. How in hell is this TRASH able to receive another hit and still absorb the force of the firing pin? Can't!! May as well dry fire.

Using spent shells would be better and cheaper, $$$ down the drain with Pachmayr.

Bob

Bob, very astute observation...we always say most of that stuff is only a 'gimmick" and have used 'spent shells ' for years, at least it will protect the chamber rim area, a little bit more.....

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

Bob,

I spotted these in eBay: item #260383723188

Do you think they will help? I've been looking for some .22cal snap caps for my new Model 34, and I haven't purchased these as I think I can get the spring loaded snap caps at Cabelas. They may cost more, but I think the quality may be better, plus you have Cabela's guarantee behind it.

Best of luck,

Dave

I seem to remember quite awhile ago, a company made hard rubber rimfire snap-caps. Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

No spring loaded rims that I'm aware of.Only centerfire with a spring loaded dummy primer.
For rimfires, I've only seen the plastics and actual rounds without powder,and with a hole drilled in the base.In both cases, you might as well use empty casings.

Well Dave they sound better that the junk I've got. Worth a try.

Update

I went to the web page and trying to order a sample. Sounds OK.

Bob

If you read the product label that Pachmyer issues with its .22 lr snap caps you'll see that they don't recommend using them for more than 10 shots. So, basically, assuming a 6-round cylinder, you've got 60 trigger pulls with these and you're done with 'em. I've searched for alternatives and found nothing. My solution: buy them in bulk. I go through several hundred a year.

Here's the product from Cabela's I was referring to:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas...46&id=0006919220742a

Regards,

Dave

They sure don't make that info obvious on their web sit or on others.

Bob

Here is a quote re the 22 version:

I bought the .22 cal snap caps. They're included in the product description for center-fire snap caps. Their description includes the following: "spring-loaded primers in these Snap Caps absorb thousands of dry-firings." As I've since discovered, the .22 cal snap caps are just plastic casings designed to fit into the .22 cal firing chamber. There are no springs. So when the firing pin strikes the snap cap, it flattens the relatively soft plastic. In order to re-use the same snap cap while still protecting the firing pin, you'll have to determine where the firing pin will strike the snap cap, and re-insert it so the firing pin will not strike in the same place. I'm able to get about 10-15 firings out of a single snap cap, but that requires a tweezer to carefully align the snap cap to prevent over-striking a previous shot. That's certainly a little shy of "thousands of dry firings." Unfortunately, I've not been able to find another product to satisfy my needs, so I'll continue to use these."

Bob

Wait, WHat is wrong with using spent casings?
I have found with using them, That they actually spin in the bores while dry firing many times.
So what's wrong with the spent cases in a revolver?
Before I put my old 22 pump rifles away after cleaning I put a spent case in the bore so I can pull the trigger and not leave it cocked for ??? who knows how long.
Peter

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

Hopefully, this is not a tremendously stupid question...

But what is the benefit of dry-firing a gun? I could use it for HD scenario practice, but I'm not sure of what else it is for and would love to learn.

Two real advantages come to mind: 1) it helps to improve the trigger pull of the piece, and 2) it helps to improve your shooting skills. I've never seen a competitive shooter who didn't dry fire - I'd say easily 10 dry fires to every live one.

Regards,

Dave

Only when you have something (empty cartridges, etc.) in the chamber, yes? When I got my gun, it was reiterated to me several times not to dry-fire it with nothing there. Not clear on why there is a difference and would love to learn more...

Forgive me for asking but how do you have spring loaded caps with a rim fire???
For 22's use spent shells-they protect the fireing pin and the chamber just fine. The pin is fully supported by the brass even with the dent and besides, the main reason is not to peen the chamber..

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Forum consigliere

With .22's you have to be careful. There are a couple of products available and they are NOT interchangeable.

Tipton makes a hollow plastic snap caps that you can drop the hammer on. I have some and they work quite will, but they don't hold up very long (http://www.midwayusa.com/eprod...ct?saleitemid=213850).

Then there are metal dummy rounds that will damage your firing pin. Check the fine print again, "Training Rounds ... are designed to teach safe firearms handling. They are not snap caps. They may be worked through the actions of any rimfire firearm for function and testing. Dry firing with these training rounds in the chamber will not damage the firing pin. Impact damage will limit their usefulness to four or five firing pin strikes." (http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0003671223846a.shtml) I wouldn't believe that part about dry firing being safe with them.

Vern

It depends on the manufacturer and the type of ammo it is designed to use. As an example, S&W says you can safely dry fire any of their center fire pistols without any problems. They do not recommend dry firing any of their rim fire weapons. Ruger indicates that any of their pistols can be safely dry-fired. I think as a general rule of thumb, you shouldn't dry fire any rim fire firearm, or any air/CO2 rifle or pistol either.

Best of luck,

Dave

Hi Dave,
Went to ebay and based on the info I ordered a pack. Here is what was described:

*

Made of special high impact polymer, manufacture to exacting tolerances, same as used by professionals.
* Special nylon material provides for ultra-smooth functioning, superior to any other material we have found.

* Have the ability to take over 5000 dry fires while protecting the firing pin.

*

State of the art, full size, replicating even the bullet.

* Used as dry fired dummies with special impact rubber primer specially designed to take the impact off of the firing pin so there is no damage to the actual firing pin.

* 100% brand new, 10 per pack, black in color.

* Auction is for 1 package of snap caps.

* These 22 snap caps are usable for any 22, they are designed to take the firing pin shock on the rim and have a center firing pin rubber cover that is used for our molding.

Well they turn out to be the same plastic that will permanently deform. No way 5000 hits. It's junk.

The folks are right, there is no such thing as a 22lr snap cap.

I am going to give this guy a negative on ebay.

Spent shells is the only way to go.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. I made the pilgrimage to Cabelas to vier their .22 snap caps and was not impressed. One stated that it was designed only for function tests, not as a snap cap, and the other stated that it was good for approx. 5-10 snaps. I'm wondering if the solution besides spent rounds is the polymer disc that accompanies Ruger DA revolvers.

Regards,

Dave