Do I need to use snap caps??

[Natty Bumpo]

Hey Guys,

I have a M66-3 and a M65-5. For occasional dry fire practice, do I need to use snap caps with these guns??
If so, any recommendations on type, brand etc.Thanks.

Natty B

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

For occasional dry fire practice, no

 

[Skeeziks]

Forgive me for highjacking this thread but, I've been lead to believe that dry-fire is OK with hammer-mounted pin, but NOT ok with frame-mounted (use snap-caps.)

I've been ripping off a hundred trigger pulls every day (w/out caps) with my 1987 vintage 49 to smooth out the action. Should I be using caps for this even though the pin is hammer-mounted?

 

[watzittoya]

Generally, dry firing the hammer mounted pin type will cause premature
wear of the bushing and pin.

The frame mounted type is probably ok, as the pin doesn't have to pivot
through the bushing.

Use spent cases with the primer punched out and filled with RTV to absorb
the impact. Cheaper than SnapCaps.

 

[DonD]

Forgive me for highjacking this thread but, I've been lead to believe that dry-fire is OK with hammer-mounted pin, but NOT ok with frame-mounted (use snap-caps.)

If anything, I think you've got the concerns reversed. I think the frame mounted are less prone to problems.

I agree with 500 Mag, occasional dry fire is fine, if you do a lot of it, use snap caps, can't hurt may very well help. Don

 

[Skeeziks]

Wow, did I have that backwards.... Thanks guys.

You know...there are some on here that have given advice to "dry-fire a few thousand times to slick up the action," but I don't think they ever mentioned to use caps. It would've been a good idea to mention that.

 

[aterry33]

The main thing you want to avoid is dry firing a rimfire, such as a 22LR, although I think Ruger might say it's okay with theirs.

 

[toasted]

old sayings

I've been around guns, gun shops, ranges and self appointed experts for a LOOOONG time. I'm 63 now (age is a terrible price to pay for experience) and this thread brought to mind an oft repeated homily, "snapping dogs is bad, snapping turtles is worse but snapping guns is worst of all!". One thing I have found to be universally true, no matter what the shooting discipline, every really good shooter I've met spends a LOT of time dry firing. Look at the mechanics/design of the various firing systems. If there isn't a round in the chamber or a snap-cap in place all of the energy of the hammer/striker spring has to be absorbed by the frame/bushing/firing pin shoulder whichever. Is this bad... it ain't good. Will it immediately destroy you gun? Probably not. When I go boating I wear a life vest, when I shoot I wear ear and eye protection when I dry fire more than a few snaps to verify function I use some type of snap-cap. Just makes sense to me.

 

[stevejeff]

I've been dry firing for 30 years without snap caps without any problems. Maybe just luck. I don't know. Not 22.

 

[kennyb]

the folks that made your S&W say dry fire is fine...exception is rimfires

 

[stevieboy]

I second kennyb, Smith says that you can dryfire anything except a rimfire, and I do, often, and without snap caps, with no apparent damage to any of my handguns.

 

[kscardsfan]

I don't think it will do any real damage. But a set of snap caps or a few cases with RTV in the primer pocket don't cost much of anything either. I view it like an insurance policy, I'd rather have em and not need em then wear out the gun and have it go down when I did need it I also know of lots of my serious shooting buddies who have probably dry fired more times than we can count (one does it every day at one of 2 times, depending on his patrol schedule). If you want some snap caps grab some of the aluminum A-Zoom ones. I seem to have found they last a little better than the plastic, and they're roughly the same price.

 

[Gary7]

I would never dry fire a S&W revolver that has the hammer mounted firing pin. And even for framed mounted firing pins, snap caps are cheap insurance.

 

[DonD]

Years ago, I spoke to Herb Belin, S&W revolver manager. In that conversation, I was discussing the .500 Mags. I asked about dry firing. He said it was fine but some people as he said "sit in front of the TV dry firing for hours" or words to that effect. That behavior, he didn't endorse. Don

 

[Skeeziks]

If you want some snap caps grab some of the aluminum A-Zoom ones. I seem to have found they last a little better than the plastic, and they're roughly the same price.

I've got a dozen A-Zoom .45 Colt snap caps for my SA guns and my lever-guns and they work beautifully.
It's just that I was lead to believe by so many "experts" over the years that it was perfectly ok to dry-fire a DA.

BTW...what does "RTV" stand for and where can I get me some to stuff in the primer pockets?

 

[Dobbs]

RTV = Room Temperature Vulcanizing. Virtually all auto parts stores carry it. Permatex makes a good one.

 

[Skeeziks]

RTV = Room Temperature Vulcanizing. Virtually all auto parts stores carry it. Permatex makes a good one.

Thanks for the info, Dobbs.

 

[srgvaz]

Snap caps are always a good idea if you a dry fire exhibitionist, but not using them in most firearms "might" not damage anything. Shooting standard ammo through a gun there is all kinds of pressured exerted that cause wear. What's better 1000 dry fires or 1000 +P+ rounds? $$$$

 

[kscardsfan]

Snap caps are always a good idea if you a dry fire exhibitionist, but not using them in most firearms "might" not damage anything. Shooting standard ammo through a gun there is all kinds of pressured exerted that cause wear. What's better 1000 dry fires or 1000 +P+ rounds? $$$$

Financially, or mechanically lol? Ones going to be hard on your gun, the others going to be hard on your gun and your wallet!

 

[i8mtm]

I do a *lot* of dry firing, and I always use snap-caps. Why? Because it is cheap insurance and, like I said, I do it a lot.

FYI - I started out using the plastic and spring type caps, then I tried A-zoom aluminum caps. Here is what I have discovered:

1) The A-zoom will last longer....BUT
2) The A-zoom will leave marks on titanium cylinders AND on feed
ramps of certain auto-pistols (my Sigs come to mind).

I no longer use A-zoom snap caps on a titanium-cylinder revolver or on my auto pistols. I will only use them on steel cylinder revolvers.

Eventually the plastic and spring snap caps will fail (as they absorb all that repeated firing pin energy. Did I mention I dry-fire a lot?) but the softer plastic creates no potential damage to the clear-coated titanium cylinders or my feed ramps. Aluminum may be soft, but it is not soft enough for those applications.

If anyone out there has been using the A-zoom caps a lot on guns that are not steel, take a close look and you will see what I am talking about.

Cheers,

i8mtm