using .22lr snap caps to protecting Sig Sauer 1911-22 's firing pin

[efeng9622]

People use the plastic .22 lr snap caps to protect the firing pin , in case dry fire the gun, but , how many time a snap caps can be used ？ Please see the attached pictures, these snap caps were used about less than ten times, can I continue to use them?
How about If I insert a finger or a piece of cardboard between the hammer and the gun, after the single action dry fire, then pull out the finger or cardboard, , is this method OK for protect the firing pin?
Thanks.

 

[toivo]

You want the pin to fall on a fresh piece of plastic each time so as to be most cushioned. A well-known hack among rimfire shooters is to use #4 dry-wall anchors, which will fit a .22 chamber quite well, and sometimes will even feed from a magazine, depending on the gun.

https://www.amazon.com/Hillman-370326-Ribbed-Plastic-100-Pack/dp/B000H5WVCS

At $7.50 per hundred, they're a lot cheaper than purpose-make snap caps. You can usually find them in your local hardware store.

EDIT TO ADD: Oops -- reading the Amazon reviews shows the Hillmans no longer work as snap caps. Look for another brand in the store. These look right:
https://hdsupplysolutions.com/p/wellsco-4-6-8-x-7-8-tapered-ribbed-plastic-anchor-box-of-100-p740865

 

[toivo]

DUPE -- please delete.

 

[herrwalther]

I would think a hard polymer snap cap would be better and last longer than the squishy ones.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1903213850?pid=843411

 

[film495]

.22 LR snap caps are OK, but not really very good. I've used those same ones and some blue aluminum ones, and they do wear out. They are what they are, once they start to look like that some of them can also get dented or bent a bit in my experience. I think cause .22 is generally considered cheap, I'd rather go shoot than dry fire a .22 LR very much. I've seen the centerfire caps, just keep going, the ones with the little polymer piece for a primer, so - I do dry fire with those. Never figured out a good way to do much of it with a 22 other than to test the action and function for a mag or two, and they work for that.

 

[efeng9622]

You want the pin to fall on a fresh piece of plastic each time so as to be most cushioned. A well-known hack among rimfire shooters is to use #4 dry-wall anchors, which will fit a .22 chamber quite well, and sometimes will even feed from a magazine, depending on the gun.

https://www.amazon.com/Hillman-370326-Ribbed-Plastic-100-Pack/dp/B000H5WVCS

At $7.50 per hundred, they're a lot cheaper than purpose-make snap caps. You can usually find them in your local hardware store.

EDIT TO ADD: Oops -- reading the Amazon reviews shows the Hillmans no longer work as snap caps. Look for another brand in the store. These look right:
https://hdsupplysolutions.com/p/wellsco-4-6-8-x-7-8-tapered-ribbed-plastic-anchor-box-of-100-p740865

I may try this one first, I think it is OK. Thanks.

 

[bannockburn]

The #4 drywall anchor works great and is really inexpensive.

 

[toivo]

I would think a hard polymer snap cap would be better and last longer than the squishy ones.

The hard ones are brittle, though. I've had the rim separate from body of a hard polymer snap cap, leaving the rest in the chamber. No biggie, just push it out with a cleaning rod, but that doesn't happen with the wall anchors.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Empty cartridges are free.

 

[Rodfac]

For revolver use, I've had good luck with foam ear plugs, trimmed somewhat and wedged between the hammer and the frame. It's not a one hour practice session fix, but works for short term applications. HTH's Rod

 

[efeng9622]

You want the pin to fall on a fresh piece of plastic each time so as to be most cushioned. A well-known hack among rimfire shooters is to use #4 dry-wall anchors, which will fit a .22 chamber quite well, and sometimes will even feed from a magazine, depending on the gun.
https://www.amazon.com/Hillman-370326-Ribbed-Plastic-100-Pack/dp/B000H5WVCS
At $7.50 per hundred, they're a lot cheaper than purpose-make snap caps. You can usually find them in your local hardware store.
EDIT TO ADD: Oops -- reading the Amazon reviews shows the Hillmans no longer work as snap caps. Look for another brand in the store. These look right:
https://hdsupplysolutions.com/p/wellsco-4-6-8-x-7-8-tapered-ribbed-plastic-anchor-box-of-100-p740865

Hello,
I am going to place an order for this anchors, but just want to make sure with you "it will fit a .22 chamber quite well ", because the item diameter is 0.25 inches, compare 0.22 a little thicker. Thanks.

 

[beag_nut]

For revolver use, I've had good luck with foam ear plugs, trimmed somewhat and wedged between the hammer and the frame. It's not a one hour practice session fix, but works for short term applications. HTH's Rod

Actually, to copy one version of the "Poor Boy's Trigger Job" one can use a piece of clear plastic tubing, available at most hardware stores. It gets placed in the revolver's frame where the hammer normally falls, striking the tubing instead of any metal. This works only with revolvers. I used it on several for a couple thousand "rounds" each, and it really slicks up the sear surfaces without disassembling anything. And it's cheap and lasts a LONG time.

 

[toivo]

Hello,
I am going to place an order for this anchors, but just want to make sure with you "it will fit a .22 chamber quite well ", because the item diameter is 0.25 inches, compare 0.22 a little thicker. Thanks.

You might be better off buying in a hardware store where you can eyeball them to make sure they fit. That said, I'm guessing the item diameter listed is at the widest point, which is the "rim" section. That part doesn't go into the chamber.

Remember that commenters are saying the Hillman brand specs have changed, and they no longer work. You'll need some other brand.

 

[Tacoma]

The Hillman brand from Amazon (and most hardware stores) have changed ( to have thinner and narrower rims) and are no longer suitable for a snap cap. After some hunting for old Hillman stock I finally gave up. However I found these Everbuilt brand wall anchors from the Home Depot that are decent and much closer to the original Hillman product. I bought another 200 this week so I never run out again.

 

[AzShooter1]

You want the # 6 wall anchors. The yellow ones.

I rotate them after about ever 20th firing and they last a long time. I use them for dry fire practice with my 617 revolver.