Dummy round question

guitar1580 · December 17, 2009, 07:33 AM

I notice the A zoom dummy rounds advertise that they extend the life of the spring by keeping it in a relaxed state. Could someone please explain this? and, wouldn't keeping the gun loaded with live rounds do the same?

Josh P

jaguarxk120 · December 17, 2009, 07:56 AM

You drop the hammer on the dummy round!

And the main spring is relaxed.

Keeping the gun full of loaded rounds is asking for trouble

.

jgcoastie · December 17, 2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Keeping the gun full of loaded rounds is asking for trouble

I guess I missed that memo...

How so, exactly?

Christchild · December 17, 2009, 09:25 AM

It is my understanding, that until You squeeze the trigger (after cocking) the firing pin spring is compressed. Is that not how the firing pin mechanism/assembly works? Spring loaded? With a "dummy round" (snap cap), You're able to pull the trigger without the dreaded "dry firing".

If a spring spends most of it's time compressed, what does it do?

If a spring spends most of it's time relaxed and UNcompressed...?

I keep my 12 gauge and .270 Win. loaded with a Snap Cap all the time. Load it like a live round, and pull the trigger. Let's the firing pin spring relax.

oneounceload · December 17, 2009, 09:57 AM

"Dummy rounds", "Snap Caps", or "Practice Ammo", or whatever name you want to use allow you to drop the hammer and release the spring tension - whether for storage or dry-fire practice. Some guns seem unaffected by dry fire without them, some ARE greatly affected by that practice

zippy13 · December 17, 2009, 11:41 AM

oneounceload is quite correct with his "Some guns seem unaffected by dry fire without them, some ARE greatly affected by that practice"
But, you don't have to practice repeated dry firing for damage, just store the gun with the hammers cocked. Been there, done that. Perazzi hammer spring $44, snap cap $6 -- you do the math.
When dry firing, it's not the spring that gets damaged but the firing fin. The force that would be absorbed by the primer is applied to the pin shoulder. I recall a crusty old sergeant warning that dry firing an M-1 could crystallize the firing pin. My S & W Model 52 Master target pistol has a device, activated by the safety, to allow dry fire practice. It rotates a metal stop between the hammer and firing pin

December 17, 2009, 07:33 AM	#1
guitar1580 Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Posts: 201	Dummy round question I notice the A zoom dummy rounds advertise that they extend the life of the spring by keeping it in a relaxed state. Could someone please explain this? and, wouldn't keeping the gun loaded with live rounds do the same? Josh P

December 17, 2009, 07:56 AM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	You drop the hammer on the dummy round! And the main spring is relaxed. Keeping the gun full of loaded rounds is asking for trouble.

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December 17, 2009, 09:25 AM	#4
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	It is my understanding, that until You squeeze the trigger (after cocking) the firing pin spring is compressed. Is that not how the firing pin mechanism/assembly works? Spring loaded? With a "dummy round" (snap cap), You're able to pull the trigger without the dreaded "dry firing". If a spring spends most of it's time compressed, what does it do? If a spring spends most of it's time relaxed and UNcompressed...? I keep my 12 gauge and .270 Win. loaded with a Snap Cap all the time. Load it like a live round, and pull the trigger. Let's the firing pin spring relax.

December 17, 2009, 09:57 AM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	"Dummy rounds", "Snap Caps", or "Practice Ammo", or whatever name you want to use allow you to drop the hammer and release the spring tension - whether for storage or dry-fire practice. Some guns seem unaffected by dry fire without them, some ARE greatly affected by that practice

December 17, 2009, 11:41 AM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	oneounceload is quite correct with his "Some guns seem unaffected by dry fire without them, some ARE greatly affected by that practice" But, you don't have to practice repeated dry firing for damage, just store the gun with the hammers cocked. Been there, done that. Perazzi hammer spring $44, snap cap $6 -- you do the math. When dry firing, it's not the spring that gets damaged but the firing fin. The force that would be absorbed by the primer is applied to the pin shoulder. I recall a crusty old sergeant warning that dry firing an M-1 could crystallize the firing pin. My S & W Model 52 Master target pistol has a device, activated by the safety, to allow dry fire practice. It rotates a metal stop between the hammer and firing pin