Sloter Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Hi all, Snap caps? Should I always install my snap caps and fire it when storing the gun? Will it cause any harm if they are not installed and the pins are in the cocked position? Also someone said to me that guns should be stored with the barrels pointing down to stop any excess oil draining onto the stock? Is this correct? I’d have thought that you just shouldn’t drown your gun in oil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 my understanding is that snap caps are pointless, as when you let the firing pin down the ejectors are still compressed. So you may save damage to the firing pin when you let it down, but the ejector springs will still get damaged. (catamog and The Last Engineer can probably give you a much more technical explanation) lots of gunsmiths recomend you store the gun muzzle down as this stops oil running into the stock. However the guns ive seen this done with just have oil soaked into the forend and blueing missing from the muzzles at the end of the day dont abuse your gun, but i dont really think snap caps and storing your gun inverted are going to make a whole lot of difference. Your better off just having it serviced every few years and not bothering with any of the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sloter Posted April 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Okay makes sense to me thanks mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 I bought a Beretta silver pigeon 3 last July and I've had to take it back and have a firing pin replaced 3 times due to them crumbling and becoming uneven. This in turn causes the primers on the shells to rupture. The importers GMK have told me this is 'most unusual' and incredibly bad luck. I have been suspecting that the snap caps that I have used religiously are the cause of the problem. My gun is due to go back in for hopefuly the last time to sort out the pin and when thats done I've decided not to use snap caps. I reckon that will be problem solved. I really dont see a problem not using snap caps as long as the gun is not dry fired unnescesarily. regards Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 I would say there is more to it than that, The firing pins must be too long if they are puncturing the primer. The "primer" in a snap cap should be sprung loaded so it maoves when struck and should cause no damage to the pin. I would think that GMK are spinning you a yarn. I do not use snap caps anymore, I used to use the plastic ones until I saw a post on here about one losing its rim and becoming lodged in the barrel. Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Snap caps have one use only. They are used to stop the firing pin from shooting free of the breech when dry firing a gun to test trigger pull. I personally don't use them when storing my guns. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 I use them to check my gun ejects cleanly after having apart for a good clean (not that often) I only se the aluminium ones as the palstic ones break when i don't catch them and they hit the floor They do have another use, if you don't like your FEO or want a laugh, hand him/her shotgun with them in and watch their face as the fly out when go to check the serial number :*) (and YES I do know you should never hand a shotgun to anyone unbroken yada yada yada...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 I use snap caps just to dry fire the gun after stripping and cleaning however,I would advise anyone who has a non-ejector to use them when the gun is to be stored for a long time as this will ease the main spring and as there are no ejectors...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Now if all you lads used a nice old non-ejector hammergun, you wouldn’t have to bother with all this nonsense. Just lower the hammers and put the gun away. G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Now if all you lads used a nice old non-ejector hammergun, you wouldn’t have to bother with all this nonsense. Just lower the hammers and put the gun away. G.M. lets have a flurry..... see how many shots you get mind you the ones you do take will probably count :*) i used to use a non ejecter... simple times... double trigger, straight hand stock, and aquired taste, but a good gun none the less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 "acquired taste"........like bogeys,slugs and marmite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 "acquired taste"........like bogeys,slugs and marmite will have to take ure word on that mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 "acquired taste"........like bogeys,slugs and marmite MARMITE!!!!!!!!!!.........YEUK G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 the correct use of snap caps :- 1/ store in a safe place well away from anyone wishing to find a use for, and with a bad memory. 2/ use for holding down paper on desk. 3/ fill or take up space at bottom of garbage bag. 4/ to throw at local cat that walks over freshly cleaned landrover (oxymoron i know ) 5/ throw at local rugrats that walk over freshly cleaned landrover. 6/ throw at LB who now wants to clean his landrover . NO OTHER USE AT ALL . THE END Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 "acquired taste"........like bogeys,slugs and marmite wos wrong with the brown jam??? Marmite is gorgeous LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sloter Posted April 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Thanks for the help guys, guess I’ll not bother with the snap caps then! Much appreciated. Marmite it’s like that cr*p the Australians eat vegemite! As Whoopi Goldberg is famous for saying both like licking a cats ****! Guess we all now know what she does in her spare time then! Although henry d might be able to shed some light on the matter by the sounds of things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Now if all you lads used a nice old non-ejector hammergun, you wouldn’t have to bother with all this nonsense. Just lower the hammers and put the gun away. :( G.M. Isn't that one of those fancy gimmicky modern breach loading guns?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.