old brass as a snap cap

revolverrandy · October 28, 2010, 12:24 AM

is it possible in some way to use a used brass as a snap cap?
I have a hi power 9mm semi auto and want to become more familiar with the trigger pull but wondering if there is a less expensive way to safely do it without soending the money for a snap cap?

Ideal Tool · October 28, 2010, 01:08 AM

Hello, revolverrandy. Sure..but that old primer won't take the beating. What I use for my .22 Hornet & .222 Rem. which are single-shots & cant be un-cocked without snapping firing pin, is remove primer or use new brass, using a piece of nylon rod turned to a press fit in pocket & faced off flush with case head.

tmlynch · October 29, 2010, 11:52 PM

I'm wondering if you could cram a rubber eraser in there, or fill it with silicone caulk. I don't have a nylon rod turning device.

Regards,
Tom

Ideal Tool · October 30, 2010, 12:11 AM

Hello, tmlynch, I have been trying to think of alternative...don't think rubber eraser would offer enough cushion. How are you set for drills & taps? I was thinking of those nylon screws that better hardware stores carry. Might not even need tap or drill for that matter..a large rifle or pistol pocket is .210"- perhaps you could force a 1/4 screw in & cut off. For small pocket-.175 I believe a 10-32 screw..nom. dia. of .190 should work ok.

tmlynch · October 30, 2010, 12:46 AM

Ideal Tool: Thanks for the thoughts. If I try some alternatives, I'll share the outcome.

revolverrandy: good luck! Let us know what works for you.

Regards,
Tom

Bill DeShivs · October 30, 2010, 01:46 AM

Erasers and silicone don't offer enough resistance. The firing pin will pierce them.

Wildalaska · October 30, 2010, 03:24 AM

I've never used a snap cap on a revolver or semi auto

WildclickclickclickAlaska ™©2002-2010

MW surveyor · October 30, 2010, 06:23 AM

I've "heard" that you can use hot melt glue in the primer pocket after you drill out the primer. I have't tried it but you may want to.

chris in va · October 30, 2010, 09:18 PM

Is a snap cap even necessary?

carguychris · October 30, 2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Is a snap cap even necessary?

It depends on the gun, but they're not necessary in most modern centerfire firearms. Many owner's manuals say so.

Rimfires are another story; many rimfire guns don't have a mechanism to prevent the firing pin from whacking the edge of the chamber if you dry-fire, but OTOH all you need to use as a "snap cap" in most rimfires is an empty case indexed so a non-crushed portion of the rim is under the firing pin.

Some older guns have notoriously flinty firing pins; CZ-52s, Nambus, and S&W concealed-hammer top-break "lemon squeezer" revolvers spring to mind, but few folks use these collectible guns seriously enough to justify extensive dry-fire practice.

10-96 · October 31, 2010, 10:25 AM

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=612279 You know, the real things aren't really all that expensive. And surely somebody put a little thought, research, and engineering into these things. $9.00 shouldn't break the bank too badly I hope.

I guess nearly everybody slips from time to time (I certainly do), but I really do see a certain advantage to using the right tool for the job.

tmlynch · October 31, 2010, 10:30 AM

Sometimes a more expensive or laborious homemade solution is just more satisfying than store-bought.

Heck, I can get a barbecue sandwich for less than $5, but I'd rather stay up all night tending the fire to smoke my own brisket.

Regards,
Tom

10-96 · October 31, 2010, 12:49 PM

True.

October 28, 2010, 12:24 AM	#1
revolverrandy Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2010 Posts: 197	old brass as a snap cap is it possible in some way to use a used brass as a snap cap? I have a hi power 9mm semi auto and want to become more familiar with the trigger pull but wondering if there is a less expensive way to safely do it without soending the money for a snap cap?

October 28, 2010, 01:08 AM	#2
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Snap Caps Hello, revolverrandy. Sure..but that old primer won't take the beating. What I use for my .22 Hornet & .222 Rem. which are single-shots & cant be un-cocked without snapping firing pin, is remove primer or use new brass, using a piece of nylon rod turned to a press fit in pocket & faced off flush with case head.

October 30, 2010, 12:11 AM	#4
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Snap Caps Hello, tmlynch, I have been trying to think of alternative...don't think rubber eraser would offer enough cushion. How are you set for drills & taps? I was thinking of those nylon screws that better hardware stores carry. Might not even need tap or drill for that matter..a large rifle or pistol pocket is .210"- perhaps you could force a 1/4 screw in & cut off. For small pocket-.175 I believe a 10-32 screw..nom. dia. of .190 should work ok.

October 30, 2010, 01:46 AM	#6
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Erasers and silicone don't offer enough resistance. The firing pin will pierce them. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 30, 2010, 06:23 AM	#8
MW surveyor Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2010 Posts: 212	Hot melt glue I've "heard" that you can use hot melt glue in the primer pocket after you drill out the primer. I have't tried it but you may want to.

October 29, 2010, 11:52 PM	#3
tmlynch Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 197	I'm wondering if you could cram a rubber eraser in there, or fill it with silicone caulk. I don't have a nylon rod turning device. Regards, Tom

October 30, 2010, 12:46 AM	#5
tmlynch Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 197	Ideal Tool: Thanks for the thoughts. If I try some alternatives, I'll share the outcome. revolverrandy: good luck! Let us know what works for you. Regards, Tom

October 30, 2010, 03:24 AM	#7
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	I've never used a snap cap on a revolver or semi auto WildclickclickclickAlaska ™©2002-2010

October 30, 2010, 09:18 PM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Is a snap cap even necessary?

October 31, 2010, 10:25 AM	#11
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=612279 You know, the real things aren't really all that expensive. And surely somebody put a little thought, research, and engineering into these things. $9.00 shouldn't break the bank too badly I hope. I guess nearly everybody slips from time to time (I certainly do), but I really do see a certain advantage to using the right tool for the job. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

October 31, 2010, 10:30 AM	#12
tmlynch Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 197	Sometimes a more expensive or laborious homemade solution is just more satisfying than store-bought. Heck, I can get a barbecue sandwich for less than $5, but I'd rather stay up all night tending the fire to smoke my own brisket. Regards, Tom

October 31, 2010, 12:49 PM	#13
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	True. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.