Cheap SnapCaps...

[vega]

Some times I just shake my head at the stuff on here. I gave you guys the exact method used by the Armorers at the Remington Factory every time they check an 870. But hey, what do they know as most of them have only been there 40+ years.

Did someone contradict you? Sure you gave the correct method but people still shares how they make their own dummy round.

[aippi]

Vega, did you read the post about just stick your finger over the bolt and if the firing pin hits your finger it will hit the primer? I would say that is a contradiction to the correct method of function testing an 870. So yes to your question. If that did not make you shake your head then I don't know what will. Guess some guys never heard of head space and "Go" or "No Go". Freaking firing pin can hit your finger all day but never hit a primer in "lock up" if the head space is incorrect so it hitting your finger with the barrel off means not one dam thing as to if the weapon will fire. Yet, this kind of mess is common on sites like this and when a person with some knowledge responds he gets questioned like you just questioned me. If you understood the function of this weapon, you would have questioned that rediculous statement, not mine. I will now just shake my head again.

[Cokebottle]

Vega, did you read the post about just stick your finger over the bolt and if the firing pin hits your finger it will hit the primer? I would say that is a contradiction to the correct method of function testing an 870. So yes to your question. If that did not make you shake your head then I don't know what will. Guess some guys never heard of head space and "Go" or "No Go". Freaking firing pin can hit your finger all day but never hit a primer in "lock up" if the head space is incorrect so it hitting your finger with the barrel off means not one dam thing as to if the weapon will fire. Yet, this kind of mess is common on sites like this and when a person with some knowledge responds he gets questioned like you just questioned me. If you understood the function of this weapon, you would have questioned that rediculous statement, not mine. I will now just shake my head again.

And a home-made snap cap (or most any snap cap) won't tell you that either.

The assumption is that the weapon was working properly prior to being field stripped. If that is the case, then headspacing certainly didn't change, and if the concern is to verify that the firing pin was reinstalled properly, then the "finger test" gives you a pretty good idea that it is.


I stand my my earlier statement that dummy rounds made from discharged live rounds are dangerously easy to mix up with actual live rounds. It is asking for an ND unless the metal is dyed a contrasting color. Paint is not good.
There's being frugal, there's being cheap, and there's being cheap to the point of being dumb.
Home-made snap caps fall under the 3rd. If <$20 for a bunch of snap caps is going to break the bank, how can one afford ammo?

[aippi]

I don't use snap caps there coke bottle. I use dummy rounds that are manufactured for function testing an 870 and I put a sticker over one and check for a hole in the sticker after I drop the hammer. A piece of masking tape works also. I then cycle a full tube of dummy rounds through the weapon.

If you want to take your barrel off and test that your firing pin is going to work, well it is your weapon. I will continue to function test my weapons as I was taught by the people who build them. And yes Grasshopper, head space can change any time you break down and do any thing to your 870 as can other things that were working fine before you broke it down....THAT IS WHY YOU FUCTION TEST THE WEAPON BEFORE YOU STAKE YOUR LIFE ON IT....

[vega]

And yes Grasshopper, head space can change any time you break down and do any thing to your 870 .......

How is that possible if no parts were replaced?

[Kelvrick]

I have a bunch of cheap ones from letargets.

[aippi]

Why check head head space if you replaced no parts? Great Question. It is called damage and wear.

It is not a big issue in most weapons that see regular use with normal loads. However, if you shoot a lot and use heavy loads then there is more wear on the parts that can affect this such as locking blocks and such.

I see a lot of casual attitudes towards the maintenance of these wepaons and I understand this because most guys are punching holes in paper or busting bunnies and blowing up watermelons. I however, build heavy use duty weapons for LEO and Civilians that want them for home and personal defense. For this reason I get the proper training every three years at the Remington factory and I follow what they teach and I DON'T TAKE SHORT CUTS.. I check everything and leave nothing to chance. I recomend that approch to all gun owners who may have to rely on their weapon to defend themself. If you want to check head space during a function test of your weapon or after major cleaning, just get the "No go" guage and use that.

[ralphwood2]

Have you looked at Action Trainer Rounds from S.T. Action Pro?

http://www.stactionpro.com/

[eccvets]

I wouldnt shoot anything that resembled a real round in the chamber. That being said i do pratice with live rounds.

[Bobula]

I have 2 really fancy brass ones with a springer under the dummy primer. They look great in my over under case

[Rob454]

You can always take empty shells pop the primers drill small holes in the sides of the shell fill them up with silicone inside till it squeezes out of the primer and the holes( you can use a wood dowel to squeeze( think syringe action) the silicone out of the primer hole. Let the stuff completely dry for a few days cut off the squeezed off excess and you will have a shell that looks nothing like a live shell Ive done it plenty of times. I would do it with pistol and rifle but I havent yet.