Snap caps...how important are they?

[ZG47]

Back in the late 1980s I heard about a method devised by a local guy whereby he filled the primer pocket with Araldite, to create resistance for the firing pin. It has worked very nicely for me. When I started taking people for their firearm licences, I modified my dummy rounds to meet MSC requirements, by drilling two holes of minimum 3mm diameter in each cartridge case, i.e. through and through, then sanding off the burrs. That way they meet the instructional aid safety requirements and can also be identified though feel when you take them to your tent site or hut/lodge.

P.S. I use Araldite where necessary but prefer to use excess timber epoxy as it does not flow so much, hence I try to save my dummy-round manufacturing until I have to join something new or do a repair around the house!

 

[Hank2211]

I grew up on in the certain knowledge that dry firing a centre-fire rifle would ruin it virtually instantly, and I would likely burn for all eternity if I did that.

Lately I've heard that's hogwash (the dry firing part - the burning is still an open question apparently). I've read gun warranties and none have said dry firing voids or impacts the warranty.

Everyone has an opinion on this subject. There's a market for snap-caps.

But does anyone really know? Surely a manufacturer or gunsmith could say with certainty one way or the other.