Snap Caps Explained

Our Gunsmith explains the purpose of snap caps and why it's better to use them than not.
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Thanks for Watching.

[@TheStuartYork]

Hi John, food for thought thanks for another exceeded video. In my very humble opinion; Helical, (coil) springs, don't usually suffer if kept under compression. What does cause failure is repetitive of cycles, Gun leaf, lever or vee springs, especially older ones, where the provenance of the steel cannot be confirmed, will over time suffer if the gun is left cocked. Last year I witnessed a perazzi, brought in to a local gun shop with a ruined breach face and chambers because it had been put to the owners cabinet for six months storage after a day's wet shooting with alloy snap caps fitted. The ensuing electrolytic reaction between the alloy of the snap cap and the unchromed steel of the barrel. This of course brings up the separate issue of good gun care, but it did prompt me to remove the snap caps from my shot guns, apart form my lovely old cogswell and Harrison S by S.

[@coasterbrookie]

Excellent points and well written. Thank you.

[@scottnathanphoto]

While anecdotal, I have a Beretta 686 that I bought new in 1987. Conservatively, I have 375,000 rounds through it. I've replaced the ejector springs once. Cracked one stock at the wrist and still on my original main spring. I've used the snap caps maybe a dozen times.

[@CurvedSlightly]

But they are for dry firing, not leaving the gun live.

[@scottnathanphoto]

@@CurvedSlightly They're mostly for releasing spring tension. but sure. Dry firing too.

[@williamalanwilliams8182]

Thanks for explaining about Snap-Caps, I had no idea what they were for, it's all new to me, but I keep watching things hoping I pick ideas up for when I eventually own a rifle.. thanks for posting. Bill

[@tgsoutdoors]

Cheers Bill

[@garyclark6281]

Back in the 60's I had a Zabala double 12 Ga, went to put it away, pulled the triggers, and both firing pins tips rattled down the barrels. Have used snap caps in all my guns ever since

[@coasterbrookie]

Sorry but I had to chuckle at your post. That had to be a bit frustrating hearing the pins dancing down the tubes.

[@jeffreese4194]

I've had 2 and firing pins always broke from normal shooting

[@john-paulsilke893]

I always store my guns loaded with snap caps to keep me honest and safe. I know my guns always have something in them and that could be a cartridge if for a moment I am stupid and don’t unload or I’m distracted. Every time I open an action something comes out. 100% always. Only once many years ago as a teen I fired an “empty” gun into a pile of drying wood stored for carving. Not too much damage, (some semi valuable wood for table jointing) but a tremendously valuable lesson. Now every gun in my house is always loaded unless disassembled, especially because I have pistols which need to be fired to disassemble, (for example Glocks which I have for competition shooting).

[@coasterbrookie]

Fantastic frame of mind. I love the logic of your argument.

[@wdefghjuefhdegtfthtgf1351]

This is more for rifles and pistols if you have rim fire such as 22lr 17hmr and others useing snap caps is a must for dryfireing these guns you can damage the fireing pin and possibly the chamber

[@Lord-Snowflake]

Better to use them, than not use them. Agreed. Shotguns are used, cleaned, and put away, sometimes for months, and sometimes for many years.

[@jjiacobucci]

Thank you ! Illuminating !

[@UKHotTubsLtd]

Thanks, I shall now use the one I have correctly.

[@BingoBabyO]

Those plastic ones love to get jammed in a pump action... I would avoid them!

[@dgoodman1484]

Use or don’t, who knows but I will say, both the coil and the V spring are still under tension after you pull the trigger regardless. A proper hardened and annealed spring goes bad from repetition not tension. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@walkedspoon]

Just for the sake of keeping oil running down and soaking the action from the barrels I always use the wool mop snaps for storage. The plastic ones are ok for out at the range.

[@MH-ls1xi]

I just store my firearms barrel down

[@wholeNwon]

@@MH-ls1xi Me, too, and I don't oil excessively.

[@brendangillespie9881]

Hi there - I think your clips are generally very informative and interesting. However, I think this particular one would have been considerably enhanced if you had explained what to do, and more importantly what not to do, when using snap caps and then breaking the gun down e.g. to put in its case.

[@lifeshort]

What did he miss out? I thought it was quite a thorough explanation

[@brendangillespie9881]

@@lifeshort Yes possibly but what is the purpose of snap caps? They are designed to release the cocked springs prior to breaking down the gun and storing it. He didn't show how this should be done: insert the snap caps and then fire both triggers/barrels, then remove the forend and then the barrels recovering the snap caps. Gun can now be stored with the springs released.

[@31lafouine]

If it is better to release the springs and you shouldn't pull the trigger on empty, you don't actually need these snap caps. I'm using a Kapla wood bar to fire the percutor in when I have to store my gun. Works perfectly

[@zamorafotography2079]

If you would be so kind as to tell me what is the shotgun you are using in this video?

[@ianevans67]

I'm really confused because so many people say different things. Some folks say it's essential to relieve main spring pressure. Gun shop owners have dozens of guns in stock under pressure for customers to look at and handle. I was also told by a store owner it's a waste of time dropping the pins and storing because then you are pushing the spring the opposite way and putting reverse pressure on it. I've got a Miroku and theres nothing in the manual about this subject. The Browning group don't think it's necessary.

[@PeakTorque]

You don't jack your car up everynight to ease springs. Completely pointless IMO. A spring is only fatigued when it is cycled with a stress amplitude.

[@mungo7136]

Well, part of the gun safety policy is not to store firearm cocked (and definitely not loaded). Thus you are supposed to release the hammers / strikers. It was even traditional training in the army (and maybe it is even part of the practical part of the test for firearm license) to properly unload and check your firearm, aim it into the safe space and perform dry-fire (it is called "safety shot"). Thus you ensure there is no round in the chambers, firing mechanism is released and by no mistake can the weapon fire when taken, or by some mistake during transport and handling. May not apply to every country, obviously.

[@john-paulsilke893]

Very long storage does set a spring. This can take a decade or in the case of some quality guns even longer but they are machines and stored energy will get used one way or another. I would expect leaf or v springs to take a set sooner since the stress is concentrated in a more finite area but coil springs are not immune either.

[@Bushtrigger]

@@mungo7136 fully agree. So, if firing off the action with nothing in the chamber... no need for snap caps. Answers my question as to whether I need them. Answer is no. I always clear my gun from the area by checking and then firing off the action in a safe direction. Only reason I’d use snap caps is for teaching the Missus or a friend how to safely operate the gun by using these.

[@beeeeee77]

How do you dissemble O/U with out snapping fire pin? Can you use snap cap and once it is loosen you can take forend and then dissemble the whole gun?

[@wholeNwon]

It probably doesn't work for all action designs, but I simply remove the barrels, depress the release for the locking mechanism and dry fire with a hardwood dowel against the standing breech to receive the firing pin.

[@thepenultimateninja5797]

It's not just the springs and strikers, dry firing can also damage the sears in some guns.

[@Dsrgreyy]

I'm new to this and want to start with something that won't actually fire or leave the barrel. Are snap caps what I'm looking for?

[@super1million11]

Yes

[@discobriscoe5880]

Just a bit pointless in my opinion. We had about 30 Benellis in the armoury that came out occasionally and never used snap caps. I don’t think the armourer even knew what they were. Never had any issues despite being shotguns being treated like shite, thousands of rounds put through them and then overly cleaned once a week. Good video though, a fair argument for.

[@chrism8812]

how do you employ snap caps when storing the double gun broken down? I assume you have to leave the firing pins under tension if you store the gun in its case broken down or is there a way to snap them and then take the gun down without resetting the firing pins? thanks

[@TheCopperhawk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoG5mqN_d9WYobcm28s

[@chrism8812]

Copperhawk Copperhawk thanks copperhawk.

[@johnvianney2621]

Heard they'll useless on striker fired guns like the Blaser F3

[@waynelongden9681]

Looking for advice please ..am looking to buy a o/u on a 2k budget what would you recommend for pigeon and pheasant

[@wholeNwon]

One that FITS you well. So, try a LOT of used guns until you find something "ideal" then shoot it before buying. You'll spend less than 2K.

[@assil110]

beretta 686 SP or browning B525

[@virafsurty5023]

hello please can you tell me what is the kind of pin on my pump action shot gun model 12 and please can you advice me as to which snap caps i can use hopeing to get an early reply Regards

[@tgsoutdoors]

A Savage?

[@stephenjohnson22]

Hi john, would you use a snap cap on a semi auto ? York guns advised me not to (when they were open)

[@freddieeyston3994]

can you do a video on the different styles of forend and their advantages?

[@tgsoutdoors]

Definitely will do

[@maggern_204]

TGS Outdoors where is it John?!

[@plata_o_plomo]

@@tgsoutdoors .

[@beeeeee77]

Hi Jone, thank you for video. Let me ask you, what oil would you recommend to polish a barrel (oil which will not harm bluing of a shotgun) from outside and also for stock just to protect it from moisture.

[@scottnathanphoto]

Any CLP or light oil will do just fine. Don't overthink it.

[@licensetochill79]

Another good use for SNAP caps is training. They make all types of snap caps for firearms as well, as I'm sure you know. While doing a training course you can load a snap cap in one of the positions in a magazine or a tube of a shotgun. This way a person would have to function the weapon as if it had a malfunction. Which is good training and clearing malfunction under stress

[@highlandrab19]

not really relevant for the UK but im sure it is in other places

[@licensetochill79]

highlandrab19 that is true sir I am from the US so that is what I use snap caps for. I keep forgetting your gun laws are very stringent

[@olivers.7151]

is it worth using snap caps in a Greener GP shotgun?

[@varmintmaster]

If you've fired using the snap caps wouldn't the ejector springs still be under compression unless you disassembled the shotgun?

[@tgsoutdoors]

On Certain models yes, and one of the main counter arguments for those who don't use them

[@TheWhyteChoice]

@@tgsoutdoors is there a way of taking load off the ejector springs without breaking down the gun ? I have a new ATA black sporter 12g and want to take best care of it, Snap caps for the cheap price seem worth while. But if your just transferring strain to another component it seems a bit hit or miss ?

[@ivahardy4885]

can you not just use them regardless?

[@CurvedSlightly]

Leaving them in isn't pointless, they are there if the trigger is pulled accidentally, and keeps the crap out of the chamber.

[@fullchoke01]

If you're getting crap in the chamber your storage is more an issue than snap caps

[@alecingram4669]

What if every time I close my gun I just fire it twice? Doesn’t that do the same job?

[@kenaston4220]

It does release the mainspring pressure, but the idea of snap caps is to catch the firing pin softly so that it doesn't slam itself, because nothing is there to hit.

[@alecingram4669]

Ken Aston I see. I have never bothered to use snap caps in 10 years!

[@kenaston4220]

Fair enough, as Jon says in his video, they aren't essential, but just kinder to the firing pin.

[@wholeNwon]

@@alecingram4669 55 years here.

[@PoppyHermie]

Does your store actually sell these?

[@dominichails6256]

Thanks, didn't have a clue what snap caps were for.

[@clivedewhirst]

hi do you recommend using a snap cap for a a612 armsan? thanks

[@tgsoutdoors]

These guns are hard as nails, i would recomend using them, but you could probably not use them and get away with it

[@clivedewhirst]

cheers for reply, thanks

[@vicerichter1163]

shotgun 3 inch magnum+ bad guy's head= wall pizza. :D

[@thomasryan5394]

Blaser said I don’t need them in my F3. So, I put them in my old Remington 3200

[@tgsoutdoors]

Good idea!

[@manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069]

Swain the pain Take notice.

[@bunnybasheruk]

What sort of spring does a webley 912k have? I have often wondered whether I should use them, i gathered if i used them I would tire the ejector springs as would be stored compressed.

[@ablejack3]

coiled spring... no worries! www.shootinguk.co.uk/reviews/shotgun/webley-912k-shotgun-review

[@wholeNwon]

And, if you have an ejector gun? Well, we do what we can, right?

[@michaelbelt8768]

I chose to spend $15 and invest into snap caps to relieve internal tension on my firearm, drop the 'hammer/spring', make accidental discharge unlikely, yet my firearm with a 15 round mag, stays relatively ready at ALL times. Just 'rack' the slide, discharge the snap cap and load the 1st round immediately.

[@markrossington6884]

I cracked an ejector on an antique 870 Wingmaster using A-Zoom’s. Just say NO!

[@jeffreese4194]

I want to add that Americans love to dry fire double guns hundreds of times while practicing gun mount only to complain about broken firing pins 😅 go figure

[@edwardwatson6606]

Please take your time so,we can understand what you are saying

[@tgsoutdoors]

I will pay more attention in my English classes sir.

[@simonmakin65]

"It would last less long"... lol lol

[@wholeNwon]

Skeptical?

[@yianniboulas9315]

False information

[@tgsoutdoors]

Why?

[@yianniboulas9315]

@@tgsoutdoors you dont need a snap cap for "relieving pressure on the firing pin" its only used for when dry firing, springs wear out by constantly compressing and decompressing

[@yianniboulas9315]

The firing pin is perfectly fine in the cocked position no where on a snap caps packaging does it say to release tension on spring its just a stupid misconception