Snap Cap Caution

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:56 pm

I have been using those little red plastic snap caps in my rim fire auto loaders prior to storage to relax the hammer. Now, I shoot my pistols a often so the snap caps see a lot of use. What is happening is that at some point in their life cycle the extractor is pulling off the rim leaving the 3/8" piece of tube in the chamber/bore. I believe that you could have a barrel obstruction if you didn't notice that only the rim came out. So, don't try to use more than 5 times before discarding, or not at all which is what I will do now. At the very least check the bore so you don't get an ugly surprise.

Regards

melchloboo · Post by **melchloboo** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:44 pm

I am a daily dryfirer and tried everything. Best solution for a ruger is to remove the firing pin.

GooseYArd · Post by **GooseYArd** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:05 pm

Hey Kaz,

If you're dryfiring your 41, I found this:

http://www.flat5.net/trashcansnapcap.html

It's a very easy solution, the only problem I know of is that the cleaners at my office probably wonder why there are so many notches cut into the rim of my garbage can

Really the only problem is that its very easy to forget that the piece is in there- I've often forgotten about it until I get to the match and dry fire a couple times. I've been thinking about tying a little tail of fishing line to mine.

Let me know if you have trouble finding a can with the right lip, I'll cut you off a piece of mine

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:52 pm

Thanks melchloboo and GooseYArd, all I'm trying to do is to leave the pistol(actually all of my firearms) with the hammer down. The little red snaps work fine for that as long as one keeps in mind to make certain that it comes out of the chamber completely, not leaving any surprises behind. I suppose that applies to anything that might reside in a bore. GooseYArd, if I do get to serious dry firing I'll make some of your trashcan caps

Regards

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:48 pm

If I have a pistol that I haven't used in a while, I run a cleaning rod down through the bore to the chamber to check for obstructions. If a snap cap wanders into the chamber too deep, I'm sure that you can back it out using the same method.

R,
Bullseye

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:59 pm

As usual Bullseye thats a good practice which I believe I will add to my ritual. What saved me from finding out what would happen if the tube part of the snap cap stayed in the bore was I saw the detached rim lying on the floor and wondered what it was.

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:21 pm

The rod trick is a good, and quick, way to ensure an unrestricted bore. Most rimfire auto pistols don't have very much clearance for a visual inspection. Pushing a rod down from the muzzle is a good go, no-go test.

I used to use a bent piece of plexiglass rod to illuminate the bore and check, but people start getting nervous when they see someone eyeballing down the muzzle of a pistol at a firing range.

R,
Bullseye