How do snap caps work?

[Wagonmaster]

Are snap caps a one time use only? or with a package of 5 are they usable over and over? Do they make any kind of noise? I have a year old Shield and haven't been able to get out to a range, or even country shooting, so would like to do some dry firing and have read that it's good to use snap caps. I assume they kind of take the shock off the interior of the gun, sort of like if the gun had an actual firing pin.

Is there any particular favorite brand, or are they all the same?

 

[Bob O]

I don't know how they work but they are good for hundreds of dry fires each. The primer is a hard rubber material, and there might be a spring inside though I'm not sure.

I use the A-Zoom brand I think they're called.

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[ScaryWoody]

They have a little spring under the primer area. You can shoot them thousands of times. It absorbs the impact of the firing pin. Otherwise, the firing pin can slam forward further than usual causing damage. You want to use them for mainly hammered guns.

 

[gideon2086]

They have a little spring under the primer area. You can shoot them thousands of times. It absorbs the impact of the firing pin. Otherwise, the firing pin can slam forward further than usual causing damage. You want to use them for mainly hammered guns.

Right - from what I've always been told it's impossible to damage a striker fired gun by dry firing it.


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[Tyrod]

Right - from what I've always been told it's impossible to damage a striker fired gun by dry firing it.


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That's hardly the truth.

 

[Rowlette]

That's hardly the truth.

Not really as per Smith and Wesson

FAQs | Smith & Wesson

Can I dry fire my S&W handgun?

Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?

A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41. 

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.

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[eb07]

I make my own using actual cases with no powder and some silicone in the primer pocket.

 

[Tyrod]

Not really as per Smith and Wesson

FAQs | Smith & Wesson

Can I dry fire my S&W handgun?

Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?

A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41. 

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.

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By all means, if it floats your boat, keep doing it. But for anybody else, the use of snap caps is advisable. Better yet, go into a gun shop and start dry firing their bolt action rifles.

 

[Funflyer]

I make my own using actual cases with no powder and some silicone in the primer pocket.

That's what I do also. No need to spend as much on snap caps as a box of ammo.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Not really as per Smith and Wesson

FAQs | Smith & Wesson

Can I dry fire my S&W handgun?

Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?

A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41. 

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.

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Unlike center fire snap caps, commercial .22 cal rimfire snap caps do tend to wear out. The best solution I've found is to run size 4-6 wall anchors in (all) my .22's.
They fit perfectly, are reasonably tough and cost about $3.50/100 at your local hardware store.

 

[InsideWaist]

I make my own using actual cases with no powder and some silicone in the primer pocket.

Wouldn't the silicon slowly disintegrate into tiny pieces over time and gum-up the works?

 

[greeenteeee]

By all means, if it floats your boat, keep doing it. But for anybody else, the use of snap caps is advisable. Better yet, go into a gun shop and start dry firing their bolt action rifles.

Ask first, they'll say no.

S&W does say it's okay, as does Sig, but I use a snap cap for my DA/SA.

 

[eb07]

Wouldn't the silicon slowly disintegrate into tiny pieces over time and gum-up the works?

Never had that problem. When it gets dented enough I just remove with an exacto and reapply.

 

[eb07]

You can also use glue from a hot glue gun. That works great

The silicone you use matters I use 100% silicone like the loctite brand, not the cheap stuff that is a mixture.

 

[Funflyer]

You can also use glue from a hot glue gun. That works great

The silicone you use matters I use 100% silicone like the loctite brand, not the cheap stuff that is a mixture.

I use Permatex ultra grey. I'm not sure if it's 100% silicone but it's about the best I've used.

 

[rwsmith]

They are ridiculously expensive...

Make your own. If you shoot them where they need replacing, make some more,

 

[rwsmith]

I dry fire my S&Ws

..because S&W says it's ok. I don't dry fire anything else. If you aren't going to be fired a lot, I put a cartridge with a used primer on it in the chamger. More than that I get fancy with the snap caps.

Gunstores default to 'no dry firing' but I know which ones of MY guns that I can dry fire or not.

 

[Rowlette]

I dry fire just after field stripping, cleaning then oiling to make sure everything is correct and working properly.

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[Pisgah]

I make my own using actual cases with no powder and some silicone in the primer pocket.

Same here, but I go a bit further. I de-prime a fired case, put some silicone inside as well as in the primer pocket, and seat a bullet to the correct OAL. I then paint the whole thing black with a Magic Marker so I don't mistake it for a live round (or vice-versa), and I end up with a dummy round/snap cap that'll feed manually from the mag and last for hundreds upon hundreds of "shots".

 

[eb07]

Same here, but I go a bit further. I de-prime a fired case, put some silicone inside as well as in the primer pocket, and seat a bullet to the correct OAL. I then paint the whole thing black with a Magic Marker so I don't mistake it for a live round (or vice-versa), and I end up with a dummy round/snap cap that'll feed manually from the mag and last for hundreds upon hundreds of "shots".

Mine are "loaded" as well. Painted red with sharpie. They also double as speedstrip and speedloader practice dummies.