Home Made Snap Caps

[Archie]

To determine the trigger pull 'weight' of several pistols in my collection without breaking seemingly non available firing pins, I decided I need dry fire or snap caps.

I wanted the snap caps to be easily identifiable to prevent accidental use of live rounds.
Of course, the snap caps I wanted are not available or only available at high price.

Just for the record, I do not have a 3d printer or other mechanism to make totally plastic items. That might be handy.

So I deprimed some appropriate cases, re-sized them and used a silicone sealant to fill in the primer pockets. For 'bullets' to make the feeding process easier (not needed so much for a revolver) I used wooden dowel rod. By the way, an ordinary electric drill will hold the doweling rod and serve as a lathe to shape the bullet for feeding. The same sealant will 'glue' the bullet in place.

I live alone so identity of the snap caps is no problem (he said before putting a hole in his hand) but a few dabs of fingernail polish will probably make them obvious.


Getting snap caps in .25 ACP is really a pain.

 

[a5werkes]

It's always fun to fabricate on a Saturday, but @ $16-18 for a pack of 5 is a steal; 4 gallons of gas at the station!
Photos of your efforts for the peanut gallery please.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

We all look forward to a report on your results... especially on how well (or poorly, as I fear) the silicone "primers" withstand the ordeal. I don't know what A-Zoom uses, but it's gotta be as tough as it is resilient. RTV ain't that!

 

[troy fairweather]

I use hot glue in the primer pocket, after awhile it will tare up but all you need to do is a quick touch with a lighter and it's like new again.

 

[Tinman357]

These are what I use for common calibers. That's all I have.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0B52459G4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

 

[PWC]

I'm still using my original blue RTV I made 30 yrs ago.

 

[Blue68f100]

I use leather to fill primer pockets. I also drill holes in the side of the case so I know it's a dummy round.

 

[eddiememphis]

I have used both hot glue and silicone. Both seem to hold up fine, just use 100% silicone and not caulking.

Also use a new razor blade to trim the primer filler flush, especially important in revolvers.

 

[bummer7]

I was told an inexpensive solution is to use .210 rubber cord cut to size and glued in the primer pocket. At least this worked for large pistol primer cases.

 

[Riomouse911]

I used a hard red pencil eraser cut to size as primer pocket filler before. Those lasted quite a while.

Stay safe.