Snap Caps - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jonny4523 · 11-06-2006, 07:02 PM

I want to get some snap caps from dry fire trigger practice. MAN ARE THEY EXPENSIVE!!! I bought a few at a gun show couple years back, $1 a piece. Now it seems like they are about $3 a piece. Has anyone ever noticed a difference in brands (besides clear plastic vs metal? Maybe a certain brand brakes before another? Biggest two brands I've seen are A-Zoom and Pachmayr. Any difference or should I just go with the cheapest?

Also, is there any advantage of using a snap cap over used brass? Would the spring make that much a difference?

jeff221 · 11-06-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny4523

I want to get some snap caps from dry fire trigger practice. MAN ARE THEY EXPENSIVE!!! I bought a few at a gun show couple years back, $1 a piece. Now it seems like they are about $3 a piece. Has anyone ever noticed a difference in brands (besides clear plastic vs metal? Maybe a certain brand brakes before another? Biggest two brands I've seen are A-Zoom and Pachmayr. Any difference or should I just go with the cheapest?

Also, is there any advantage of using a snap cap over used brass? Would the spring make that much a difference?

Ok, here's my expert advise, as I've used both A-Zoom and Pachmayr...

A-Zoom is all metal and has a rubber/plastic cap for the fireing pin. The rubber/plastic doesn't "dimple" when it's used.

Pachmayr are plastic w/ a metal rim and cap, this metal cap "dimples" when hit by the fireing pin, thus they lifespan of these are much shorter than the A-Zoom products.

I've got 5 snap caps in .45, .40sw, 38special, 380 and 9mm to cover all my basis, all A-Zoom products as I had to throw away my Pachmayr ones.

I've probabaly got 500 snaps per round and don't see a single dent.

I don't know about using old brass, I would imagine it wouldn't be an issue.

speedracer211 · 11-06-2006, 08:00 PM

i use a zoom as well and i cant see wearing them out anytime soon.

T-Bear · 11-06-2006, 11:21 PM

I say just make your own, by using a pencil eraser shoved into a empty primer case. And just put a bullet at the end. It will feed just like a regular round so you do malfuction drills. The best thing it only cost a couple cents.

zane · 11-07-2006, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bear

I say just make your own, by using a pencil eraser shoved into a empty primer case. And just put a bullet at the end. It will feed just like a regular round so you do malfuction drills. The best thing it only cost a couple cents.

BUT.... with the actual A-zoom snaps you can easily and quickly distinguish between a live round and a dummy round....

I have the A-zooms, they're the best IMO.

Broadside · 11-07-2006, 11:55 AM

+1 with A-Zoom have them for 9mm, 45 ACP, 357 SIG. Had to re-paint some of them. Other then that work great.

thrash_273 · 11-07-2006, 12:23 PM

NEWBIE HERE!

WHATS A SNAP CAP? PICTURES WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

zane · 11-07-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrash_273

NEWBIE HERE!

WHATS A SNAP CAP? PICTURES WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

A "dummy" round, made for dry-firing so your gun's internals don't get messed up (certain guns don't like to be dry-fired, but XD's are okay with it).

thrash_273 · 11-07-2006, 12:33 PM

I See, I Presume Those Are Rubber Made Right?

zane · 11-07-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrash_273

I See, I Presume Those Are Rubber Made Right?

CNC aluminum, with a rubber/plastic "primer"

11-06-2006, 07:02 PM	#1
jonny4523 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 2,158	Snap Caps I want to get some snap caps from dry fire trigger practice. MAN ARE THEY EXPENSIVE!!! I bought a few at a gun show couple years back, $1 a piece. Now it seems like they are about $3 a piece. Has anyone ever noticed a difference in brands (besides clear plastic vs metal? Maybe a certain brand brakes before another? Biggest two brands I've seen are A-Zoom and Pachmayr. Any difference or should I just go with the cheapest? Also, is there any advantage of using a snap cap over used brass? Would the spring make that much a difference? __________________ -XD40 Service (Feb 2002) Springer Precision Carry Trigger -XD9 Tactical (June 2007) Springer Competition Trigger, USPSA Production -Remington 870 Mag, 12g, my hunting companion -Thompson/Center Triumph (June 2007) -Ruger Mark II (Oct 2004) Gvt Comp Model -AR build (Sept 07 - May 08 ) Mostly RR -Benelli M2 New bird gun NRA, USPSA #TY60062 -If guns kill people, then spoons made Rosie O'Donnel fat! -When seconds count, the police are only minutes away

11-06-2006, 08:00 PM	#3
speedracer211 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bradenton Florida Posts: 2,551	i use a zoom as well and i cant see wearing them out anytime soon. __________________ "You can't fix stupid" Great reloading site and tell them I sent you. www.glockpost.com

11-07-2006, 11:55 AM	#6
Broadside XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,935	+1 with A-Zoom have them for 9mm, 45 ACP, 357 SIG. Had to re-paint some of them. Other then that work great. __________________ XD - 9 Subcompact XD - 357 Service w/ SA Custom Carry Pro Pkg SA - Mil Spec 1911 A1

11-07-2006, 12:23 PM	#7
thrash_273 XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pikesville MD Posts: 50	NEWBIE HERE! WHATS A SNAP CAP? PICTURES WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED. __________________ XD .40 S&W 5" TACTICAL

11-07-2006, 12:33 PM	#9
thrash_273 XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pikesville MD Posts: 50	I See, I Presume Those Are Rubber Made Right? __________________ XD .40 S&W 5" TACTICAL

11-06-2006, 11:21 PM	#4
T-Bear XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ALONE Posts: 116	I say just make your own, by using a pencil eraser shoved into a empty primer case. And just put a bullet at the end. It will feed just like a regular round so you do malfuction drills. The best thing it only cost a couple cents.

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