Snap Caps vs. Dummy Rounds

Comparing the differences between Snap Caps and Dummy Rounds, also known as Training Rounds (bit.ly/SnapCapVarietyPack). Going over the best and worst types of snap caps and dummy rounds to use in your firearms for cleaning, repair, and training.
Snap Caps, Dummy Rounds, Training Round, and Fake Ammo, are all non-firing (inert) replicas of their respected live-fire counterparts, and are mainly used for Firearm Safety Training or function testing after cleaning or repair. They come in every caliber you will most likely need (see below list), come in sets for running multiple rounds through a magazine, and vary in materials used like plastic or aluminum, based on the needs of the particular firearm. They also have a gunsmith variety pack available, which will give you one round in numerous popular calibers, which is also great for collectors!
A-Zoom Snap Cap Variety Pack: bit.ly/SnapCapVarietyPack
Most firearm firing pins will benefit from having a cushion to hit when dry firing, ultimately reducing risk of broken or bent firing pins. This is especially true for most .22lr rimfire semi-auto pistols, and some .22lr rifles as well. This is the reason why its gun store etiquette to ask first, prior to dry firing a gun you are interested in buying. Most stores will allow you to dry fire, but will provide you a Snap Cap to protect against firing pin damage, if the firearm would need it.
Overall the preferred choice is for most applications, is a product labeled "Snap Caps". The best snap caps I have found are made by A-Zoom, Pachmayr, and Magpul. Using a reputable company's Snap Caps, will ensure the fake bullets will last a lifetime, as well as reduce the chances of damage to your firearms when dry firing. Always be sure to store live (real) ammunition separately from training (fake) ammunition, to reduce chance of an accident.
When training with fake ammo (snap caps or dummy rounds), be sure to remove all live ammunition from your magazines, pockets, and areas in which you will be training. Mixing up real and fake ammunition is a common cause for accidental and negligent discharges, and can easily be avoided by taking the proper precautions to ensure safety.
Snap Cap Ammo Guide by Caliber:
-Pistol and Revolver Snap Caps:
-- 22LR: bit.ly/22lrSnapCaps
-- 380 ACP: bit.ly/380acpSnapCaps
-- 9mm: bit.ly/9mmSnapCaps
-- 40 S&W: bit.ly/40swSnapCaps
-- 45 ACP: bit.ly/45acpSnapCaps
-- 38 Special: bit.ly/38spcSnapCaps
-- 357 Mag: bit.ly/357MagSnapCaps
-Rifle Snap Caps:
-- 223/5.56: bit.ly/223RemSnapCaps
-- 5.45x39: bit.ly/545x39SnapCaps
-- 7.62x39: bit.ly/762x39SnapCaps
-- 7.62x54r: bit.ly/762x54rSnapCaps
-- 308 WIN: bit.ly/308WinSnapCaps
-- 30-06 Springfield: bit.ly/3006SprgSnapCaps
-Shotgun Snap Caps:
-- 20 Gauge: bit.ly/20GaugeSnapCaps
-- 12 Gauge: bit.ly/12GaugeSnapCaps
-Variety Pack Snap Caps: bit.ly/SnapCapVarietyPack
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#SnapCaps #vs #DummyRounds #DryFire #intoweapons

[@4everfreethinker]

Finally, I have a better understanding. Thank you. So many article writers and youtubers use these two terms interchangeably and that's what has caused me much confusion. What you are showing is that they are not synonymous. Honestly, at first, I still didn't see the difference in the bottoms of what you were showing, on my phone. So I went full screen on my computer and that's where I could see that the orange center of the dummy round was recessed by however many millimeters, whereas the center of the snap cap was flush with the metal. Obviously, once you have used your snap caps they will get a mark of depression in the center, but that's because it worked as it should by allowing the firing pin to have something to hit. I'm so glad to have this cleared up now.

[@xurbition]

I just got my exposed firearm permit. And although in the classroom they discuss snaps caps and dummy rounds, your explanation was a lot more detailed and insightful for new shooters like me around. Many thanks for your video!

[@lioneltak]

Thanks for the video. Was just about to buy the wrong ones for dry firing. Glad that I did research.

[@jamescarter4175]

Thanks! Exactly the information I needed.

[@JDMorris81]

Thanks for the clarification. I've always thought the two were one in the same. Glad I bought the snap caps cause dry firing is what I really needed them for.

[@intoweapons]

Glad it helped, thanks for watching!

[@kenmason3909]

Great video on subject rarely covered.. thanks

[@jennij9389]

Thank you for this concise, yet very informative video. I was searching Google today to try to understand the difference between the two and it was mostly a futile search; most information grouped the two together as though they were the same thing! I knew there were differences, I just was unsure of what those differences were. Unfortunately, my ignorance was learned the hard way after I got my first snap caps and discovered the caps are too light to extract/cycle in my new semi-auto (I am very much a newbie concerning semi's). I will be looking for dummy rounds soon so I can practice clearing malfunctions. I want to have training for what to do when the firearm goes "click" when one is expecting a "bang". Again, many thanks and much appreciation!

[@intoweapons]

Glad it helped, thanks for watching!!

[@Broken_Arrow58]

With snap caps around then, why even consider dummy rounds?

[@chrislloyd4984]

I'm a newbie, and this was really helpful! thanks!

[@intoweapons]

Awesome, glad it helped! thanks for watching and commenting!

[@intoweapons]

Glad the video helped!

[@mark7mod0]

The red plastic dummy rds for .22 are safe for rimfire. The outer edge of those are larger and thicker. Rotate the rd about 1/8" every 4-5 uses to prevent undisturbed wear in one area..

[@greypoupon7267]

Thanks I am very new and didn't know what I should be looking for 4 dry fire and to practice loading. This was very helpful

[@intoweapons]

Glad it helped, thanks for watching!

[@intoweapons]

yep, that would be me on amazon... I have the video, but haven't updated it yet unfortunately - sorry. I find if I upload too much at once, people get pissed :) Glad this vid helped you out though, thanks for watching!

[@blazingdan]

Thanks for the video. Good timing, as I was just wondering about all of this. Also, I found you initially by looking for your review of the Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner. I think I read your review on Amazon in which you referenced your KZbin channel. Is that video up somewhere? Or are you not the same person? : ) Thanks!

[@freepilot7732]

Newbie here too. One question. Why ever buy dummy rounds in the first place? Just use the snap cap for everything like disfunctions or for dry fire. It can do both, right?

[@erenkaya3076]

You right mate

[@supermoon1430]

I’m thinking that the training ones are cheap and in bulk and the snap caps are expensive Ann’s you don’t get as many

[@SaucyYeeks]

My dummy round box says they are safe to dry fore

[@bonoandlavin]

If you got those orange training round just pump some glue gun stuff into the primer hole, let it dry and trim off the extra dried glue. Then they function perfectly like the AZoom stuff.

[@intoweapons]

good tip, thanks for sharing!

[@lowemichael03]

Should you purchase snap caps for each firearm that you use and don't mix them for instance if the firing pins are at different lengths in different gun manufacturers? Basically what I'm saying is if you have to 9 mm handgun from two different manufacturers could you switch the snap cap from one gun to another gun or should you keep the same snap caps and the same gun once you start using them?

[@intoweapons]

You can mix use of snap caps between different guns of the same caliber. It won't cause any damage to either the snap cap or the pistols. hope it helps and thanks for watching!

[@midevilgrim3]

Thank you for this Google sucks

[@sub1legacy1outback]

Have you found a .22LR Snap Cap you like yet?

[@007redneckwoman]

"traditions" brand at academy is the best ive seen, made with a spring loaded primer...I would recommend to anyone.they're snap caps, not dummy rounds by the way

[@spyderx92]

Great video, know any good place to get snap cap? Would this be the right one for me to use for training. I want to put a round in each mag.

[@intoweapons]

I usually purchase them from Amazon - mainly because I am too lazy to do a google search for better prices :)

[@intoweapons]

thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mytopicsopinions2840]

On ebay ive bought dummy rounds from strike industries and they say can be used for dry fire lol

[@Beanie-Sandals]

After using the red snap caps you get shavings all in your moving parts. I have dummy round with real brass with rubber inserts so I can do it all day with no shavings

[@2ndchance632]

Agree with you 💯% They’re made using aluminum at put shavings “inside” your firearm - not recommended for dry fire.

[@Beanie-Sandals]

@@2ndchance632 what's actually odd is the red snap caps last longer brass dummy rounds filled with epoxy start to dent up and jam

[@2ndchance632]

@@Beanie-Sandals Try the Tipton snap caps (spring loaded). Very well made and won’t leave particles in your firearm. I’ve used them for years with no problems. I do dry fire A LOT - over several hundred rounds a day. I use them in combination with software dry fire systems.

[@midevilgrim3]

@@2ndchance632 thanks I was about to get the a zoom but it was that or Tipton and you just helped me decide. A glock full of red shavings doesn't sound fun

[@AZSilverbug]

Hi, will a 7mm-08 snap cap work in a .308? Thanks!!

[@intoweapons]

I'm not positive, but it should. The 308 is identical in length, but just the tiniest bit wider at the base. That means the 7mm-08 should be able to chamber and eject without being hung up. Hope it helps and thanks for watching!

[@GeorgeKnew]

@@intoweapons Thx, I contacted A-zoom and they said it would work fine.

[@KNIGHTDUDE321]

Is a .380 and 9mm the same ammo or are they different my gun is a blank shooter and it says on weapon .380/9mm

[@salembendeck]

They have the same diameter, so you can shoot either 9mm or .380 from a 9mm firearm.

[@jamesshepard4743]

You can , but the 380 will lack the pressure to properly cycle the slide and you will have a malfunction

[@jamminhammin]

.380 is essentially a 9mm short, but it may not have enough power to cycle the slide. Also, you can wear the portion where the chamber steps down to the actual barrel diameter. Also, the 9mm is tapered, not straight walled, so the .380 could split and cause more issues. I would not fire .380 in a 9mm. But if your weapon is for blanks, it might not matter…

[@dwighthasbrouck8993]

GREAT video! Huge thx for posting! Really helpful! A+

[@intoweapons]

Dwight Hasbrouck Glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Joe-eg7ml]

+IntoWeapons Just wondering if tipton can be considered both for dry firing and checking the functionality of the gun?

[@2ndchance632]

@@Joe-eg7ml You can use them for dry fire practice, weapon function, and put one in for storage.

[@owenwolfco.8344]

I found a company that takes spent .30-06 casings, presses a bullet into it and fills the primer spot with silicon rubber. Would those work as snap caps?

[@intoweapons]

Yep, as long as the firing pin has something soft to hit you should be good to go. Thanks for watching!

[@jazzrat2000]

do dry fire rounds have loads?

[@JamesLee-lk4kx]

Negative

[@454pakr]

Thanks! You saved me from mistakenly buying dummy rounds. I had not heard of Snap Caps and I thought dummy rounds did what snap caps did.

[@MasterDetailer6]

So I should never dry fire my shotgun with using a snap cap?

[@intoweapons]

it really depends, but unless it has a cushion on the dummy/snap cap for the firing pin to hit, I wouldn't recommend it. thanks for watching!

[@intoweapons]

unfortunately not :(

[@Beowulfis1]

Why is is bad for the firing pin to come down on nothing?

[@richard1165]

Old comment, I know, but to answer your question. It isn't necessarily "bad", but it isn't the best practice because dry firing puts unnecessary strain and wear on both your firing pin and spring. Depends on your weapon, the age, and how much wear it already has. Most bolt actions have a method of decocking the spring anyway, so you shouldn't have to dry fire. For mausers, its leaving the bolt up at a 90 degree angle, and closing it with the trigger pulled. For mosins, you simply pull back on the cocking piece while squeezing the trigger.

[@paulthomasshepherd5156]

Do snap caps eject and reload from the magazine?

[@iamcondescending]

You have to rack the slide to get them to eject, but yeah they're designed to operate just like a live round. (Aside from firing a bullet.)

[@Vlfkfnejisjejrjtjrie]

No, if your looking for recoil you can look into Cool fire training system.

[@alexanderdeliz8288]

why is the firing pin hitting nothing a bad thing? legit question

[@chef-dp7hz]

The firing pin hitting nothing is bad because nothing cushions its fall so every time you fire with nothing to slow down the firing pin, (the primer of an actual cartridge would do this job) the firing pin stops hard by hitting the object that retains it. Like bungee jumping but with a steel wire instead of an elastic one. With newer guns such as glocks it is generally considered that dry firing is ok but for older guns, their firing pins can be more brittle and actually break. I would recommend that you shouldn't dry fire anything (and definitely not another person's gun because they can get mad about it) just in case it breaks or gets damaged. Formulate your own opinions and do your own research by searching up "is dry firing bad".

[@newtestamentchristian6932]

@Dan Trebune 2020 model grandpower p380 I dry fired the pistol for training. This caused the firing pin to slam into the roll pin that retains the firing pin. After repeated dry firing my role pin broke in half. Gun is now inoperable until new role pin is installed. Military soldiers who are sent into combat are very young. Most don't know much about firearms before they join. They still can know only their issued rifle and possibly one model of handgun. Soldiers are not experts on firearm function. They do what they are told. The general rule for which guns are safe for dry fire are: 1.) The owners manual will say it is safe to dry fire that model of firearm. 2.) Most all older models of rimfire guns are not made to be dry fired, unless the manual says it is safe. 3.) Most all plastic modern semi-auto STRIKER fired pistols are designed to be safely dry-fired. 4.) Some modern hammer-fired semi-auto pistols are designed to be safely dry-fired. With the exception to guns that have a roll pin that retains the firing pin in the slide. Examples, hammer-fired CZ pistols and hammer-fired grandpower pistols. Although CZ does say it is safe to dry-fire their guns. Folks have broken their role pins. Same with Grandpower. I have shattered a Ruger sr9c (year made 2010), firing pin through extensive dry-fire practice. Firing pin broke completely in-half. The metal was to brittle to handle the repeated slamming into the striker channel. Now I only dry-fire that pistol with a snap-cap in the chamber.

[@DeathByLego]

Firing pin hitting nothing depends on the firearm itself. Most pistols it’s fine, some pistol manufacturers recommend avoiding it. Most striker firers handguns are fine with it as it’s almost unavoidable. HK handguns are fine with dry firing, as is Rugers. If you have a handgun, just give it a quick google or read your manual and see what it says. Don’t listen to the idiots who are stuck in the past and say “ITLL DAMAGE YOUR FIRING PIN”. Because odds are, it’s going to be fine.

[@2ndchance632]

The red colored ones are made using aluminum and put shavings “inside” your firearm - not recommended for dry fire.

[@timothymckenna8031]

Ever try DUMMUNITION?

[@happyfuntimepewpew]

don’t be silly. both can be used for dry firing.

[@jamminhammin]

The dummy round does not protect the firing pin like the snap cap does. Dry firing on a dummy round is like dry firing with nothing in there. Use snap caps for dry firing if you care about protecting the firing pin.

[@jrsthesedays925]

@@jamminhammin dry firing with nothing in the chamber damages the firing pin? How?

[@jamminhammin]

The snap cap absorbs the momentum of the firing pin’s travel. If there isn’t a primer or a snap cap to absorb it, the firing pin shoulder will bottom out with more force than it would with something there. Most modern gun manufacturers state it is OK to dry fire, but they usually go on to state that if you want to do a lot of dry firing, then you should use a snap cap. I’ve seen it in their statements when I googled it. In reality, it probably doesn’t matter unless you dry fire a lot. Bear in mind the firing pin is a pretty small piece of metal, so I would err on the safe side to protect it.

[@Mathcard]

@@jamminhamminBoth snap caps and Dummy rounds have a simulated primer too made of rubber or plastic both are safe to dry fire.

[@Mathcard]

@@jamminhamminHow so is nothing there? Dummy rounds At least the one I have, has a rubber or plastic or brass at the Primer, so The Firing pin is hit something instead of "nothing"

[@MrThidj901]

hey! rimfire guns dryfire is not a problem. thus there are none for sale.

[@desertzuki4182]

dangerously inaccurate comment. The dry fire of rimfire weapons will cause the firing pin to hit the back edge of the chamber. this can damage the firing pin and can peen the edge of the chamber making it so the round doesn't seat properly and the casing doesn't eject. This isn't ivory tower internet speculation. This is real world observation.