Northamptonclay Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Just bought my first shotgun, do I leave it cocked or use snap caps or dry fire without Advice needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 My advice would be take cover and put a helmet on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northamptonclay Posted July 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Have I openend a can of worms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Have I openend a can of worms Not in the least. New gun = no Old gun = yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storme37 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 (edited) i think its a reasonable question, im new to the sport i understand snaps is the way to go Edited July 11, 2012 by storme37 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northamptonclay Posted July 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 So new gun you would store it cocked or dry fire without caps ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskymac Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Think your best bet is to send timps a private message, he is the man to ask when it comes to snap caps. Send him a message asking for some input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcw65 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 way to go to the bin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Get the brass ones, they make handy paperweights in the fullness of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 So new gun you would store it cocked or dry fire without caps ? Not for long periods no. Modern guns probably don't need them but older guns (such as AYAs) can be temperamental in the firing pin area and the use of them is advised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 General consensus is on any modern gun, post blunderbuss, then snap caps are not necessary....except when the windows are open and your desk papers are all a flutter. (And yes, I am aware the blunderbuss was more akin to a muzzle-loader so no springs. I was merely giving an idea to age) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storme37 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 i leave mine dry fired with some cut down old cartridges as snaps, cut them half the size of a new cartridge so you know your never loading with live. but it would be better to get some proper ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 If you have a decent relationship with a gunsmith you trust ask them. You'll get little sense here. If you want to use them use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northamptonclay Posted July 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 General consensus is on any modern gun, post blunderbuss, then snap caps are not necessary....except when the windows are open and your desk papers are all a flutter. (And yes, I am aware the blunderbuss was more akin to a muzzle-loader so no springs. I was merely giving an idea to age) What fire without or leave cocked ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 (edited) What fire without or leave cocked ? Fire without. But like I said if the gun is older be careful and take advice from a gunsmith who has experience of replacing busted firing pins on your type of gun, should such a fault exist. Link Edited July 11, 2012 by Thunderbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning 425 clay hunter Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Here we go again. Personally I use them. They cost a few quid and put my mind at rest( and the springs)! I was advised against dry firing as it can damage the firing pins. But unless advice is given by 'team Vaseline' off here then it's absolute rubbish as they are regarded as the highest authority on snap caps. :o :o :o Tin hat on, INCOMING !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Using cut down old shells is a waste of time- you may as well dry fire it as it will have the same effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 I would not recommend dry firing. :no: I will not enter the debate on the use of snap caps, life is tooooooo short :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Dry firing= by by firing pins Dry firing and snap caps=defeats the object Snap caps= :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Bin 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landyboy Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 i find the plastic ones are best, it can be a tiring operation so have a crayfish sarney handy and a bottle of water, take a nap halfway through the operation and if your caught short make sure you have a plastic bag and a tenner handy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 If you don't use them, you leave the hammer springs under tension. If you do, you leave the ejector springs under tension. If your gun is an ejector, you would need to ask yourself what the point of snap caps was. Beats me, but I take the suspension springs off my cars every night, just so no damage occurs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 I dont do either I just hold down both triggers and slowly close the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northamptonclay Posted July 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 (edited) If you don't use them, you leave the hammer springs under tension. If you do, you leave the ejector springs under tension. If your gun is an ejector, you would need to ask yourself what the point of snap caps was. Beats me, but I take the suspension springs off my cars every night, just so no damage occurs. Cheers Gordon, one of the best most sensible replies Had not even thought about ejectors Edited July 11, 2012 by Northamptonclay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 OK I can't resist it, and before this gets locked I'll give you a specific example. Amongst my guns I have an AYA no 3, which is a non-ejector. It's a lovely gun, well over 30 years old and I want to look after it. It so happens a neighbour of mine is Nigel Teague, you might have heard the name. He told me stories of a great many firing pins going in these guns and advised me in strong terms to always use snap caps in it, as a new firing pin fitted could cost me £££, and as snap caps don't cost much I reckon that's not bad advice. I also can't really fault the source either. In contrast I also own a fairly new Beretta Silver Pigeon in which I don't use them, and I do dry fire it after cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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