What are these snap caps?

[FLAWLS1]

I was at my local gun store today browsing and I saw these red bullets. It said on the box to practice dry firing and it said something about if you dry fire without these snap caps it causes damage on your guns. Can you guys help me out here?

[DVSmith]

Snap caps are designed to reduce the effects of metal on metal damage caused by dry firing. At least that is the sales pitch. Most modern firearms will not be damaged by occasional dry firing.

That being said, I will use snap caps for my .22s because I am admittedly neurotic. I don't use them for any of my center-fire firearms.

I am sure there are several posts on this forum with a wide range of opinions on this subject if you feel like searching for them.

[DVSmith]

Sometimes referred to as dummy rounds, they can also be used to practice cycling and clearing a firearm, or mixed in with live cartridges at the range to detect 'flinch'.

[Munk]

If you have a T/C Encore, and want to practice firing, then you NEED a snapcap, as it is not designed with dryfiring in mind.

[Revoman]

Most of the newer double action revolvers are okay to dry-fire without a snap cap. Many older double action and most single action are not recommended to dry-fire without a snap cap.

Is it a good idea to use snaps no matter what? Yes! That way you can't go wrong no matter what gun you use.

As stated, they are good for learning to load and unload a magazine or revolver for speedier loading and good dexterity in doing so.

They are a tool to help in more than one way.

[Todosi]

You don't want to dryfire a rimfire weapon ever. As said above, most modern guns will not matter. These: http://www.stactionpro.com/action-tr...ounds-c-1.html are much better than those red aluminium models. The aluminium can chip and damage some weapons over time. The ST Action Pro models are all standard cases with a polymer plastic insert. And they are cheap!

[negolien]

I would love to use these for failure drills and the like but the fact they cost 50x more than the best Hollow ppoint is a deal breaker...

[mjmagee67]

I would love to use these for failure drills and the like but the fact they cost 50x more than the best Hollow ppoint is a deal breaker...

They are NOT a one time use item. They can be dry-fired 1000's of times.

I always use snap caps for dry-fire practice. Cheap insurance.