How to use "snap cap" ammo for storing rifles and shotguns for 2 years?

Question

I will be not using my guns for a while so I wanted to store them but not keep tension on the firing spring. So I was thinking of getting these snaps in 12 guage, 300 win mag, 40 S and W, etc. How would you store it with these to relieve pressure? Just chamber them, fire, and then store w/o extracting?

Also, I will use these to just check the functionality of guns at home. Are these worth it?

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Answer 1

its ok to dry fire any modern gun...just dont do it over and over.

Answer 2

Sure, they are worth every penny. Especially for function testing and teaching new shooters.

The shotgun definitely leave the snap cap in the chamber with the hammer fired.

The rifle depending on maker can relax the firing pin spring with out the shock of a snap on an empty chamber. Example Remington, Ruger, Browning and Winchester with an empty chamber-bolt open. Pull the trigger and close the bolt, as the bolt handle of lower into closed position the firing pin eases forward and is relaxed for long term storage.

handgun if it is not ****** it is relaxed. Many handguns like a Glock are made to be dry-fire to disassemble. If you like put in a snap cap and pull the trigger for long term storage.

Answer 3

Dry-firing your centerfire rifles shouldn't be a problem. For shotguns and rimfires, snapcaps are a fine idea, and you have it right: just "shoot" and leave alone.

Answer 4

Agreed

Dry firing once should not hurt any gun

I personally don't like snap caps

Most new guns are not harmed by dry firing and it teaches bad habits of not ensuring an unloaded gun before dry firing

tactily

An unloaded gun is empty with a gaping black hole where th round should be both visually and by feel

Answer 5

Dropping the firing pin once to store you guns is not going to harm anything (even in a 22). If your guns are new and not a 22 dry firing all day is probably not going to do anything.

I have read enough of the storing ammo in mags debate to conclude that a main spring under pressure is not going to lose its springiness.

Now if you don't believe me and decide you have to have a snap cap then obviously to you they are worth it and you knew the answer to the question before you asked.

Make sure that you get snap caps that look nothing like real ammo. the A zooms fit the bill.

Answer 6

These are all fine for dry firing at home but are not the products that you want for long terem storage of your guns.  I kow what you have in mind but I don't remember the name of the devices.  They are very similar to a Snap Cap but contain a drying agent to keep rust out of the bore of a stored gun.  I see that you like to deal with Midway USA.  They are a great company.  If I were you, I'd call Midway and talk to Larry or whoever is the techincal person at the time you call and ask about the storage devices.  They also have treated plastic sleeves and impregnated paper or felt disks that you put into the plastic sleeves that give off a protectant vapor to protect your guns through long storaged.  Just tell the folks at Midway what you want to do and they will be able to recomend the best product for the purpose.