Snap cap info

bonefamily · January 21, 2013, 02:40 PM

Hello everyone. With wanting to get more into dry fire practice to work on trigger control, I have been looking into snap caps. I have read several times that A-Zooms are quite popular. However, I watched a couple of You Tube vids that showed the aluminum casing edge mushrooming out causing them to stick and leave debris in the chamber. I then watched some other vids on Tipton snap caps which did not do this - and also were spring loaded which seemed to make sense to me. Can others here please give me their input on different makes of snap caps, and the ones mentioned above? Thanks.

Japle · January 21, 2013, 05:06 PM

If you're using a modern centerfire gun, you don't need snap caps. Same goes modern for rimfire guns. Only old .22s and certain unusual guns are a problem.

I have a Wichita Silhouette pistol and a couple of old .22 rifles that can't be dryfired. All my 1911s, CZs, BHPs, wheelguns and rifles have been extensivly dryfired for decades.

Most of the snap caps I've looked at say on the package that they're not to be used as snap caps. You can use them for training, but not as snap caps.

bonefamily · January 21, 2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Most of the snap caps I've looked at say on the package that they're not to be used as snap caps. You can use them for training, but not as snap caps.

I don't understand this. I thought the idea of making snap caps was for dry fire practice / training?

The Kel Tec manual reads that their pistols are never to be dry fired as it will damage the firing pin...??

rodfac · January 22, 2013, 09:03 AM

I use them, or spent cases in their place....opinions vary on whether dry fire is detrimental, but for .22's, unless the manuf. specifically states that dry fire is ok, I'd use one or at least a spent cartridge case to cushion the firing pin. Some makes of .22 will allow the nose of the firing pin to strike the barrel breach unless there is a cartridge or snap cap in place. Striking the barrel above the chamber, peens the edge and will eventually ruin both the barrel and pin.

You can make your own snap caps for center fire rounds by knocking out the primer and gluing a rubber eraser in it's place. They don't last forever but are easy to make replacements. I'm not familiar with Kel Tec pistols, but I'd say that a commercial snap cap or one the you make will suffice for protection of the firing pin, and would be ok for practice.

Best Regards, Rod

bonefamily · January 22, 2013, 10:37 AM

Thanks for the info and tip, Rod.

BigJimP · January 22, 2013, 11:57 AM

I use my snap caps primarily as training tools ( clearing malfunctions, etc )...by having a buddy blind load a mag...etc...

but my local range, and my shop ...are concrete floors...and the Tiptons, if they hit just right ( shatter like glass ) when they hit concrete.../ where the A-Zoom's hold up a lot better.

I only have one center fire caliber gun, that the mfg says not to dry fire.../ a Freedom Arms single action revolver in .357 mag...but its the combination of their firing pin design, and how hard the hammer strikes the firing pin ..that causes it to bottom out in the frame - breaking the firing pin. They're cheap and easy to change on that revolver....but I use A Zoom's in it instead..

I don't remember who makes them - but the soft plastic orange ones....( are junk ) in my opinon...

bonefamily · January 22, 2013, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the reply, BigJimP. I understand what you are using them for, but I was just wanting to work on trigger control for the time being so I wouldn't be ejecting the snap cap - just racking the slide back enough to reset the trigger. I have seen videos on the A-Zooms mushrooming out which concerned me. As long as I can keep the Tiptons from hitting the floor I should be ok

Thanks for moving this to the correct forum, Mods! I should have caught that before posting.

January 21, 2013, 02:40 PM	#1
bonefamily Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2012 Location: central Ohio Posts: 304	Snap cap info Hello everyone. With wanting to get more into dry fire practice to work on trigger control, I have been looking into snap caps. I have read several times that A-Zooms are quite popular. However, I watched a couple of You Tube vids that showed the aluminum casing edge mushrooming out causing them to stick and leave debris in the chamber. I then watched some other vids on Tipton snap caps which did not do this - and also were spring loaded which seemed to make sense to me. Can others here please give me their input on different makes of snap caps, and the ones mentioned above? Thanks.

January 22, 2013, 09:03 AM	#4
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	I use them, or spent cases in their place....opinions vary on whether dry fire is detrimental, but for .22's, unless the manuf. specifically states that dry fire is ok, I'd use one or at least a spent cartridge case to cushion the firing pin. Some makes of .22 will allow the nose of the firing pin to strike the barrel breach unless there is a cartridge or snap cap in place. Striking the barrel above the chamber, peens the edge and will eventually ruin both the barrel and pin. You can make your own snap caps for center fire rounds by knocking out the primer and gluing a rubber eraser in it's place. They don't last forever but are easy to make replacements. I'm not familiar with Kel Tec pistols, but I'd say that a commercial snap cap or one the you make will suffice for protection of the firing pin, and would be ok for practice. Best Regards, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

January 21, 2013, 05:06 PM	#2
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	If you're using a modern centerfire gun, you don't need snap caps. Same goes modern for rimfire guns. Only old .22s and certain unusual guns are a problem. I have a Wichita Silhouette pistol and a couple of old .22 rifles that can't be dryfired. All my 1911s, CZs, BHPs, wheelguns and rifles have been extensivly dryfired for decades. Most of the snap caps I've looked at say on the package that they're not to be used as snap caps. You can use them for training, but not as snap caps.

January 22, 2013, 10:37 AM	#5
bonefamily Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2012 Location: central Ohio Posts: 304	Thanks for the info and tip, Rod.

January 22, 2013, 11:57 AM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I use my snap caps primarily as training tools ( clearing malfunctions, etc )...by having a buddy blind load a mag...etc... but my local range, and my shop ...are concrete floors...and the Tiptons, if they hit just right ( shatter like glass ) when they hit concrete.../ where the A-Zoom's hold up a lot better. I only have one center fire caliber gun, that the mfg says not to dry fire.../ a Freedom Arms single action revolver in .357 mag...but its the combination of their firing pin design, and how hard the hammer strikes the firing pin ..that causes it to bottom out in the frame - breaking the firing pin. They're cheap and easy to change on that revolver....but I use A Zoom's in it instead.. I don't remember who makes them - but the soft plastic orange ones....( are junk ) in my opinon...

January 22, 2013, 02:39 PM	#7
bonefamily Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2012 Location: central Ohio Posts: 304	Thanks for the reply, BigJimP. I understand what you are using them for, but I was just wanting to work on trigger control for the time being so I wouldn't be ejecting the snap cap - just racking the slide back enough to reset the trigger. I have seen videos on the A-Zooms mushrooming out which concerned me. As long as I can keep the Tiptons from hitting the floor I should be ok Thanks for moving this to the correct forum, Mods! I should have caught that before posting.