Do snap-caps ever need replacing?

B

BritGirl

Inactive
I have snap-caps for my .38 spl. I understand it's better for the revolver to use these than just dry-firing empty.

Anyway, mine are transparent, and I can see they have a spring in them. Can/will the spring wear out after a certain number of firings? Is this in the hundreds or thousands - or will they outlast the revolver?

The package mine came in didn't indicate any replacement guidelines.

If this is the dumbest question you've ever heard - yup, you guessed, I'm a newbie.

THANKS.
 
XavierBreath said:
I later bought AZoom snap caps, and they are the cat's meow
Click to expand...
I bought AZoom snap caps, and they are ridged along the case, like they were turned on a lathe.

Are yours like this? I was expecting them to be smooth like brass cases. I do not want to use these things in my gun.
 
The Traditions snap caps I purchased for all our guns were advertised to last for "3000 fires!". But realistically, I don't think the ones I have for my .380 will last 3000, but then again, I haven't been keeping track. I do have the clear spring ones in my .38 and I noticed that either the firing pin on my Beretta strikes with greater force than the .38, or the metal on the snap cap is softer for the .380.

I'll probably try the AZooms next time out.
 
not a dumb question at all, infact i wondered the same thing for awhile myself. thanks for asking a queston in never got around to asking!
 
I bought AZoom snap caps, and they are ridged along the case, like they were turned on a lathe.
Click to expand...

Yes, mine are like that. They are aluminum though, and shouldn't harm the steel in your chamber, or your extractor. Once the rubber plug in the rear wears down, a little silicone in there restores them to duty.
 
Dry Fire

If you dry fire enough--I must because I have gone through a set of .44 mag,.357mag and .38. I guess I work on that part of my practise routine.
 
I think you should be good for a very long time. The springs in these things last a long time. And since you use them in a revolver, they will last longer than if you were using a semi automatic pistol. Mine show more wear from loading into the clip and chambering.
 
BritGirl, I have used both kinds of snap caps, and I find that the plastic ones with the visible springs wear out fastest. As you use them, you will see a crater form in the "primer." When that crater is getting close to the size of the dimple in a fired primer, then the snap cap is no longer absorbing the impact from the firing pin.

In my experience, the A-Zoom caps last a lot longer.

Same principle applies, though. When the primer area starts to break down, its time to replace.
 
Thank you all for the feedback. Sounds like I should be fine for at least a few thousand dry-fires!

For my next set, sounds like A-Zooms are the way to go.
 
I too use the A-Zooms. They are rough, they are turned on a lathe, but they are hard anodized aluminum, and won't even come close to damaging the steel of your chamber.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top