Oly Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Whenever I talk to gunsmiths about snap caps they always give non-commital answers...so, do you use snap caps in your stored guns, and if so what's your reasoning/science behind it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Yes I use them to quickly test the ejectors on the rare occasion I have stripped my gun down and oiled it. Then I put them away somewhere where I can never find them again. No, I don't store the gun with them in as it isn't nesessary. The theory is... If you use them you are taking the load of the mains springs by releasing them, but unfortunately you are then pre-loading the ejector springs. They do, however make nice paperweights if you get the brass or aluminium ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I've never used them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I've never used them Same as Dazza. Was a bit of a headwrecker when I first got my shottie, thought I'd be doing all kinds of terrible things to my gun if I didn't use one. Got some good advice and guess what, the sky hasn't fallen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted December 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I've never used them Same as Dazza. Was a bit of a headwrecker when I first got my shottie, thought I'd be doing all kinds of terrible things to my gun if I didn't use one. Got some good advice and guess what, the sky hasn't fallen That's what I was thinking...as I've been shooting for years and my sky hasn't fallen in either yet...but it's always worth learning & asking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradders Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Only time I use then is to release the firing pin on my Benelli semi auto. Dont use them in my Beretta O/U though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 They are a complete waste of money. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I don't use them myself. Modern guns have springs that can cope with being stored under tension better than older ones. If you have a gun with ejectors I've heard that when you fire the snap caps the ejector springs are put under tension, so it puts them under more strain instead! If you have an old gun without ejectors, then maybe it could be worth using them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I just release the trigger gun empty and then switch barrels and same again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosspot Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I just release the trigger gun empty and then switch barrels and same again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Gunshop told me to do that I just read the manual and apparently I shouldn't be doing that without snapcaps. I do have some, I couldn't help myself, they were shiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Gunshop told me to do that I just read the manual and apparently I shouldn't be doing that without snapcaps. I do have some, I couldn't help myself, they were shiny Steer clear of any larsen traps Pin, sounds like there's a bit of a magpie in ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 True in many senses of the word Mind, would have be some larsen trap to catch me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbitbosher Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Always use them in my S/S and O/U (Non ejectors) it takes the weight off the springs Never use them in the old hammerguns LOL O yea and i use them when buying a gun to check the sound of the pins hitting home and the ejectors (if there is any) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mry716 Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 I just release the trigger gun empty and then switch barrels and same again. That Pin is unwise. It tends to lead to broken firing pins as the only thing that stops the pin is the belt as it hits the action. With snap caps the centre is spring loaded to break the shock of the firing just as a live primer would and so the pins will last much longer. When you fire a gun onto snap caps the mainsprings are released and therefore will not 'set' in the compressed position and so loose some of their power. If you use your gun regularly the use of snap caps is superfluous but if you store your gun then I would recommend using them. It is better to protect the mainsprings (no misfires on that one day a year is most important) than worry about the ejectors. You can still manually remove a spent case even if the ejector doesn't work. Remember most guns cock the main springs on opening and the ejectors on closing after ejecting. When you want to store your gun fire it on snap caps - open it and eject the caps - pop them back in and remove the forend and shut the gun - now fire it again. bingo all the springs are no longer under tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 They are a complete waste of money. Cat save your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipper Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I use them. I was told it takes the tension off of the fireing springs. Have I wasted my money again Kipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted December 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I just release the trigger gun empty and then switch barrels and same again. That Pin is unwise. It tends to lead to broken firing pins as the only thing that stops the pin is the belt as it hits the action. With snap caps the centre is spring loaded to break the shock of the firing just as a live primer would and so the pins will last much longer. When you fire a gun onto snap caps the mainsprings are released and therefore will not 'set' in the compressed position and so loose some of their power. If you use your gun regularly the use of snap caps is superfluous but if you store your gun then I would recommend using them. It is better to protect the mainsprings (no misfires on that one day a year is most important) than worry about the ejectors. You can still manually remove a spent case even if the ejector doesn't work. Remember most guns cock the main springs on opening and the ejectors on closing after ejecting. When you want to store your gun fire it on snap caps - open it and eject the caps - pop them back in and remove the forend and shut the gun - now fire it again. bingo all the springs are no longer under tension. I thought that ejectors are recoil operated, therefore snap caps wouldn't "set" the ejector springs (i.e. like how you can "set" them by bumping the butt of an unloaded shotgun on the floor) - hence all you would have to do to unload all the springs in a shotgun would be simply to fire snap caps once - job done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonrms Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 so based on what everyone is saying.. I should really use them on my winchester..... pump action. anyone have one for sale.. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I thought that ejectors are recoil operated, therefore snap caps wouldn't "set" the ejector springs (i.e. like how you can "set" them by bumping the butt of an unloaded shotgun on the floor) - hence all you would have to do to unload all the springs in a shotgun would be simply to fire snap caps once - job done? Ejectors are 'powered' by springs, but set by the recoil of the gun - if that makes sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Buy some and get it out of your system. They are useful if you want to test the firing mechanism and ejectors as part of cleaning / maintenance. Alternatively, when I am drunk and standing in front of the mirror in only my pants doing the whole DeNiro "you looking at me thing" they come in quite useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mry716 Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Ejectors are 'powered' by springs, but set by the recoil of the gun - if that makes sense? The ejectors for most s/s and O/U are cocked ie compressed when the gun is closed. The recoil has nothing to do with setting them. My comment re 'set' was a different use of the word. I was saying thet if you leave any spring compressed for a longish time it will become partially fixed in that position ie set in that poosition and will loose some of its strength. By using snap caps you release the tension on the main springs (the ones that make the tumblers hit the firing pins that fire the cartridge) and so prolong their useful life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted December 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I thought that ejectors are recoil operated, therefore snap caps wouldn't "set" the ejector springs (i.e. like how you can "set" them by bumping the butt of an unloaded shotgun on the floor) - hence all you would have to do to unload all the springs in a shotgun would be simply to fire snap caps once - job done? Ejectors are 'powered' by springs, but set by the recoil of the gun - if that makes sense? Exactly - so the ejector springs won't be "set" by snap caps - hence all the springs (ejectors and firing) should be released from tension when using snap caps. Shouldn't they?!?! Buy some and get it out of your system. They are useful if you want to test the firing mechanism and ejectors as part of cleaning / maintenance. Alternatively, when I am drunk and standing in front of the mirror in only my pants doing the whole DeNiro "you looking at me thing" they come in quite useful. Not sure what you're going on about there mate, but please don't tell me your messing about with firearms (unloaded or not) when drunk?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I think I may have just lost the will to live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted December 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I think I may have just lost the will to live :blink: Coming from someone who likes the look of snap caps as paperweights - I don't blame you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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