Might be a stupid question but do snap caps(dummy rounds) wear out parts?

[u/HalfRepresentative2]

(Pic for attention)
I’m wondering about getting some dummy’s for my Henry big boy in brass and I’m wondering if the dummy’s since they are steel would wear out parts if I practice running the action and loading? Might be stupid to ask or worry about so don’t roast me I’m just asking.

[u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

Yes, if you cycle them throgh like 5000 times. 😉

[u/HalfRepresentative2 → u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

Well I just might hahaha thanks man

[u/spicymeatmemes → u/HalfRepresentative2]

You cycle that thing 5000 times and I'd bet the action would get smoother and your fluidity with the rifle will increase.

Not saying do it, but theres no harm in it. You should be able to shoot tens of thousands of rounds through it, assuming quality is good and you're a competent owner.

My glock has to be close to 50k rounds by now, it feels like putting on a broken in glove. It just feels right.

[u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25 → u/HalfRepresentative2]

👍

[u/AdeptArt]

Everything wears out eventually. Though I doubt dry firing a few times a year will wear them out to any noticeable extent.

[u/MourningWood1942 → u/AdeptArt]

That’s good to know. I dry fired once and was so paranoid

[u/Uncle_Ted_1942]

Using things wears them out, but I wouldn’t worry about it at all. Even just cycling the gun when it’s unloaded technically wears it out because the parts are moving.

Even with extreme use, nearly any and every decent quality gun is going to very likely last for at LEAST your lifetime.

[u/HalfRepresentative2 → u/Uncle_Ted_1942]

Thanks, I know that stuff wears down trust me just I was worried it was going to drematicly increase it since it’s steel and not brass but i take it there’s nothing to worry about

[u/Steelringin → u/HalfRepresentative2]

Steel snap caps? The only ones that I've seen are plastic or aluminum.

[u/HalfRepresentative2 → u/Steelringin]

I’m sorry I wasn’t sure if it was steel or aluminum

[u/Uncle_Ted_1942 → u/HalfRepresentative2]

Now I’m not too knowledgeable about Henry brass guns, but I would heavily assume that the internals are not made of brass and are instead steel so I wouldn’t worry. Brass is still tough enough to last your lifetime, but it obviously is a bit less tough than steel.

My advice would be to not intentionally abuse it, but also don’t be afraid to actually shoot the darn thing. At the end of the day a gun is a hunk of metal that is designed to constantly have a high pressure explosive go off inside it lol

[u/Global_Theme864]

I don’t think you could use them enough to make a difference but if you’re really worried about it just get plastic snap caps.

[u/HalfRepresentative2 → u/Global_Theme864]

Ok thanks

[u/tmwildwood-3617]

Technically yes...but they won't be worn in a bad way. The Henry is probably already smooth...but working it with snap caps at most will just smooth things out more.

The worst thing that it'll wear are the extractor hooks (or like with a Rem 700 extractor the metal spring clip). Again...good design/parts and it'll be negligible.

On some models...like that m1 carbine...where the charging handle was prone to breaking it could be an issue. But not for that Henry.

Definitely worth doing if you're going to drop the hammer. Just be aware that as you play cowboy in your room that it will huck it out pretty good...and typical dummy rounds are solid aluminum (I make mine with real cases and bullets...dead primer...no powder). They'll hit things with a good amount of force.

Nearly took out my monitor....and 357 dummies will go down your ac floor vents... Next buyer of this house is in for a couple of surprises...

[u/HalfRepresentative2 → u/tmwildwood-3617]

Hahaha okay thanks man

[u/JazzManJasper]

My completely chewed up 22lr snap caps just work fine. The firing pin always looks happy when I clean the gun.

[u/JazzManJasper → u/[deleted]]

On a vintage center fire rifle new snap caps can tell if the firing pin assembly is working correctly or not. My sporterized Enfield had very light strikes. I replace the spring in the bolt and voila! It ran fantastically.

Now I need a new ejector spring for my Spanish Air Force Mauser M44. It's only available south of the border. Maybe next year that rifle will be complete.

[u/TheSkrillanator]

I have no long-term experience here so I'll echo what most others are saying about wear being natural

Buuuuut... i also do have dummy rounds that have a rubber back. I have to imagine something like that kinda helps make sure your pin lasts longer if you DO use dummy rounds a lot.

[u/Dill_Pickle_Tears]

If it’s a new firearm it’d help break it in if anything. Otherwise it would wear the parts down no differently than firing a regular cartridge would, IMO at least

[u/TKB-059]

Your joints and tendons will fail first with how much you've gotta cycle.

Realistically the only things that actually wears out firearms is improper cleaning, improper storage or heavy periods of continuous fire.

[u/BowFella]

Steel casing can wear out ejectors and bolt faces in some guns, mostly semi autos, but that is because it is under heavy pressure when the round is shot. Not because its simply being cycled.

Also on a center fire you should not have to worry about dry firing it regardless, snap caps on center fires are only for training.

[u/theawesomedude646]

bad ones do, i got some amazon 12 gauge snap caps and i'm noticing it looks like they tore up the edges of the ejection port. they feel quite heavy so i think they made the metal base out of steel which doesn't play nice with the aluminum receiver of my mossberg 590.