I'm online about to purchase a few items and since I've been thinking about snap caps for a few weeks I figured I would add some to my order. I have two questions

 

1. Do I need snap caps for a revolver?

2. What's the best brand (or your favorite) snap cap?

 

The A-Zooms seem to have pretty good reviews.

 

Thanks!

 

**Edit for further clarification**

I have a 9mm in addition to the revolver, which is what I originally wanted to buy the caps for.

Honestly... why not use them? even if there not needed, they can only help aid preventing wear on your firing pin or hammer. Better then having them bottom out. I use A-zoom, and they are probably the same thing as any other brand. They slip right into and out of the chamber, and last a pretty long time.

I use the azoom for 45 and 9mm have worked well for me.

Just be sure to triple-check that the snap caps are out of the gun before showing up to a USPSA/IDPA match.

Not sure why you need dummy rounds for revolvers unless you plan to practice speedloading

I only use them in the magazine so I don't catch the follower during reload practice. I don't use them for dry fire usually. I don't think they're necessary, but like others have said it doesn't hurt.

Just be sure to triple-check that the snap caps are out of the gun before showing up to a USPSA/IDPA match.

 

Good point, Heard a story of somebody getting DQ'd at a match for having snap caps at the safe table.

 

 

Personally, I dont use snap caps. Though I havent dry fired extensively, I have not seen any ill effects yet.

If a firearm is built to be strong enough to contain an explosion resulting in tens of thousands of pounds per square inch of gas pressure, I personally do not see the harm in dry firing it a few times a week.

If a firearm is built to be strong enough to contain an explosion resulting in tens of thousands of pounds per square inch of gas pressure, I personally do not see the harm in dry firing it a few times a week.

 

Dry fire a CZ-52 and unless its been upgraded to a competition firing pin, the pin will break. Dry fire some rim fires enough times and you will peen a divit in the edge of the chamber and potentially cause difficulties with light strikes. If the manufacturer says it's ok, it's ok. If it doesn't, it isn't. The ability to resist a rearward explosion when locked into battery is entirely different from extending the firing pin beyond the design limit that exists when a cartridge is in place.

Dry fire a CZ-52 and unless its been upgraded to a competition firing pin, the pin will break. Dry fire some rim fires enough times and you will peen a divit in the edge of the chamber and potentially cause difficulties with light strikes. If the manufacturer says it's ok, it's ok. If it doesn't, it isn't. The ability to resist a rearward explosion when locked into battery is entirely different from extending the firing pin beyond the design limit that exists when a cartridge is in place.

 

Your point about the rimfire is valid, though I think it would take a long time to happen. Like every day for months and months if not years. It's the same very strong steel that has to deal with the explosion from the ammo.

 

As far as the CZ, that's what happens when you buy commie stuff. Buy 'Merkin! J/K, I was handling a CZ tt45 the other day and it felt right in my hands. That would be high on my "next purchase" list if I decide to go through the hassle of getting more permits.

I am of the camp that snap caps are not needed. I dry fire the hell out of all my guns and have never had an issue and if I ever do that means that part needed to be replaced anyways. That being said I bought some for my wife's new S&W Performance Center 627, because hey they can't hurt plus as an added bonus she can practice speed loading as well.

I am of the camp that snap caps are not needed. I dry fire the hell out of all my guns and have never had an issue and if I ever do that means that part needed to be replaced anyways. That being said I bought some for my wife's new S&W Performance Center 627, because hey they can't hurt plus as an added bonus she can practice speed loading as well.

 

I think they are a waste of money except for rim fire weapons so I agree with you.

 

Scig

Rim-fire yes a good idea to have, but not needed in most center-fire guns, but always check your manual just in case you have that oddball gun that may.

 

Now I do have them for my handguns in 9mm and .40S&W, not for protection exclusively, but it's great to practice with some in your mags to simulate problems and to see how your trigger control is.

there should be a sticky of which guns need them or not...

Beretta has a disclaimer not to dry fire most of there pistols.

I would always use them on S&W revolvers with hammer mounted firing pins. As for semi-autos, to me they seem like a cheap insurance policy.