snap caps

[tallpauljcb1 5]

i have just been thinking instead of buying snap caps can ya not just use a empty cartridge and leave it in the barrel to save me fireing pins what do you people think, here is a couple of pictures while a was out the other day

[HUnter_zero 58]

i have just been thinking instead of buying snap caps can ya not just use a empty cartridge and leave it in the barrel to save me fireing pins what do you people think, here is a couple of pictures while a was out the other day

 

Cheapest was to make snap caps is to tap out the spent primer from a shot case (could be rifle or shotgun ammo)and fill the hole with hot melt glue, trimming the excess off once cold or if you don't have hot melt glue, you can trim a pencil rubber to fit. Hey presto, snap caps for all your shooting sticks.

 

John

[Deker 3,478]

i have just been thinking instead of buying snap caps can ya not just use a empty cartridge and leave it in the barrel to save me fireing pins what do you people think, here is a couple of pictures while a was out the other day

 

 

The simple answer is NO!

 

Problem is after 1 or 2 strikes any resistance from the primer is gone, so you are wasting your time.

 

However, a bit of work as suggested by John above could well be worth a try, don't spend too much time on them though as Snap cats on the whole will not break the bank.

 

I have the metal and plastic versions and personally I favour the plastic ones, which are also the cheapest!

[SEAN3513 7]

good advcice from deker and john

 

i also prefer the plastic ones, and i think i paid less than a fiver for a pair !!

 

as pointed out by deker the resistence soon goes from the cartridge primer, snap caps are spring loaded which absorbs the "shock" ( as does pencil rubber and hot glue !!!)

 

atb

 

sean

[tallpauljcb1 5]

thanks for all the advise lads i been looking on ebay for some have any of you looked on ebay at the shotgun keyrings think i might get one or even better make one

[Geoff.C 0]

There is plenty of snap caps on e-bay. I have had 12 gauge and .410, and though made of plastic seem robust enough. (The "primer" for the firing pin to hit, is spring loaded metal) I have a pair of old brass 12's which came supplied with replacement springs and a allen key to remove the end plug and adjust spring tension. Wonder if these are still on sale?

[SportingShooter 0]

There is plenty of snap caps on e-bay. I have had 12 gauge and .410, and though made of plastic seem robust enough. (The "primer" for the firing pin to hit, is spring loaded metal) I have a pair of old brass 12's which came supplied with replacement springs and a allen key to remove the end plug and adjust spring tension. Wonder if these are still on sale?

 

Antique dealer Geoff

 

As above, they are cheap enough to buy if you don't have the option to make them. I have always wondered whether they have a great advantage as you are taking the pressure from the mainsprings but putting it back on the ejector springs.

[Geoff.C 0]

Antique dealer!! Heh Heh, you are right SS, the brass ones are very old, I think I had them for my very first shot gun. About the same year they first walked on the moon!! I think the use of snap caps is a personal choice, I have always used them to let the firing pin springs off, but as you say, the ejector springs are then tensed up while the gun is stored. My oldest gun is a Lanber, and though when clay shooting, we catch the empties and drop them in a bin, if you "let them go", they certainly don't fly like they used to when the gun was new.

[ellir0305 9]

my thiking on that is the springs for the firing pins are critical but if your cartridges don't eject as far it doesn't really matter so i go far snap caps

 

atb

 

rob

[SportingShooter 0]

my thiking on that is the springs for the firing pins are critical but if your cartridges don't eject as far it doesn't really matter so i go far snap caps

 

atb

 

rob

 

But then, if you own an ejector and the ejector springs break, there is nothing to lift the cartridge case out of the breach as they solely rely on the spring. Seen as cartridges swell when fired, you would more than likely have some bruised fingers trying to get them out. But its much of a muchness, if the ejector springs break, you don't use that gun.

[kiteman0 2]

ive been following this post with interest being new to sg's.

im abit confused now,

shall i buy some snap caps or not????

i pressume its up to personal prephrance.

[whippeter69 88]

If you dont mind spending the money then get some, the plastic ones are good i hear.

[Deker 3,478]

ive been following this post with interest being new to sg's.

im abit confused now,

shall i buy some snap caps or not????

i pressume its up to personal prephrance.

 

 

There may be some benefit with much older guns but that is probably still debatable.

 

I have been using shotguns many years and my father did for many years before that...I am still undecided as to their merits.....

 

So, personal preference it is really if you ask me!!