Alternatives To Snap Caps?

[Samefly]

Not that I've actually used them yet, but are there any other reliable inert training/dummy rounds that I can use in the house for practicing and dry firing? I'm looking for .22LR, 9mm, .40 S&W, and 12 Gauge.

[Blooze]

Already fired shell casings work if you don't have snap caps available. They are just there to keep the fireing pin from being damaged by over extending.

[Providence Ranch]

If you have a Glock, or many other modern production firearms (pretty sure the Springfield XD and the S&W M&P fall into this category, correct me if I'm wrong), dry practice does not harm your weapon, so check the OM, and practice away. I had heard of folks using old casings with the primers replaced with pencil eraser or other rubber, which seems like it would work fine. I would personally not use spent cases for a few reasons:

1. Spent cases are expanded from having been fired, and may cause wear or damage if cycled through your gun.

2. Spent cases have no bullet in the case mouth, and will not likely feed well. Edges may be sharp/jagged, and leave bits of brass to clog up your weapon.

3. Primers are soft. They are meant to dent when struck by the firing pin. After dry practicing a few times with a spent case, that old primer won't be protecting your firing pin at all.

But from a safety standpoint, I would not recommend using a dummy round that remotely resembled a live round. Buy the training rounds (aka: dummy or snap-caps). They are a relatively low-cost investment to spare you numerous much more costly problems. And one last thing: keep your training rounds separate from your live rounds at all times. Without exception. Whether at home, on the range, or carrying in public, it doesn't take much imagination to see how a simple oversight could turn catastrophic.

[walt629]

Already fired shell casings work if you don't have snap caps available. They are just there to keep the fireing pin from being damaged by over extending.

Once fired brass may work for you depending on the gun itself. If the firing pin has indented the primer and in the process has already dead headed the firing pin, then the brass won't give your firing pin any cushion. If you intend on simulating feeding the spent rounds from your magazine, there is a high probability that the bullet-less brass will jam during stripping.

In one of my shooting classes, the instructor mixed in dummy rounds to simulate a misfire as part of the clearing drill. These are brass case and bullet. NO primer, NO powder and they are died a different color to separate them from live rounds. They used this configuration to avoid the obvious feed jam during stripping.

I don't know that I would recommend this for use at home. It would be too easy to confuse a live round with the dummy round. That why snap caps originated. They are made of brightly colored plastic with a spring at the 'primer' to absorb the shock of the firing pin. And they are not that expensive. The snap cap is easily distinguishable from any real ammo.

My 2 cents worth.

[walt629]

On another note, check with the manufactures of the guns you want to drill with and ask them if dry firing is harmful to the weapon.

Operation with snap caps or empty brass or anything else that does not go BOOM will not cycle the slide of any pistol. To cock the weapon you will need to cycle the slide every time.

Empty brass used with a revolver with a striker type firing pin may give you some pin cushion but I wouldn't bet on it. Multiple hits on a spent primer will just dent the primer to the point the firing pin won't reach it before the pin bottoms out.

A Revolver with a fixed hammer firing pin can be dry fired without any damage to the weapon.

What type of 'practice' do you want to do anyway?

[Samefly]

great feedback. I was planning to purchase snap caps (because that's all I actually ever see) but was just wondering if there were better recommendations (once again, never seeing any alternatives for comparison)

As far as practice. anything I can do within reason at home. drawing, drawing from concealed, retention, home defense scenarios, reloading, loading the magazine faster, grip, trigger control, chambering one handed, etc

[pmb61]

As far as dry firing a 22,try using some of those plastic wall anchors. These will protect the chamber rim,
As for center fire, I know people who use old cases but punch out the primer and stuff a pencil eraser or leather patch in the primer pocket to absorb the firing pin hit. You can use a permanent marker to color the brass to identify it , or I have heard soaking the brass in vinegar will give the brass a rainbow color effect.

[walt629]

great feedback. I was planning to purchase snap caps (because that's all I actually ever see) but was just wondering if there were better recommendations (once again, never seeing any alternatives for comparison)

As far as practice. anything I can do within reason at home. drawing, drawing from concealed, retention, home defense scenarios, reloading, loading the magazine faster, grip, trigger control, chambering one handed, etc

Samefly, there was an article, and I wish i could find it for you, but the article preached the dangers of practicing some drills in your home without some serious preparations before hand. The emphasis was put on any drill that involved the handling of the magazine and or cocking the gun. The distinction was made regarding the possible mix up of a "live" loaded magazine getting mixed in with the "dummy" magazine.

I practice around the house and in the hotel room when I'm traveling. I make it a hard fast habit of locking away or completely removing from the area I am in, all loaded ammunition when practicing.. When I get the bug to do the house clearing exercise I make damn sure everyone in the family and anyone else I think could be involved, that the drill is going on. Last thing I wnat to do is come around the corner with a drawn weapon and run face to face with my wife.

Drawing, target acquisition and reloading, all must be done with empty magazines until you feel you have the hang of it, then go to the range (ask ahead of time if this kind of practice is okay) and practice with live everything.

Going to a defensive shooting class is a good idea also. Not sure about your area, but the ones I've attended (after you get over the nerves and the adrenaline rush or 2) are a hoot lot of fun. And remember everyone around you was a newbie at one time, so don't let them intimidate you! Just have serious fun.