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Snap Caps

4K views 31 replies 25 participants last post by  senorric 
#1 ·
Do you use snap caps to relieve the firing pin spring when your gun is in storage?
 
#5 ·
I shoot a Krieghoff (Lah-tee-daa). So, all I have to do is,with the barrel removed and the opening lever in the closed position, place the outer palm of my off-hand over the cocking ears and pull the trigger twice, thus gently releasing the cocked rods.
 
#15 ·
I do, on non-detachable triggers.

With detachable triggers, I just remove the trigger group and slowly release the hammers with my finger, that way I can feel the springs and flip the inertial block to check if anything needs attention.
 
#17 ·
NO!!! But I do place a coin over the firing pin hole before I pull the trigger, just to give the firing pin something to hit as it were. I do this with the barrels off. It may not be the best idea to leave snap caps in the barrel for long term storage!!! break em all. Jeff

I can always re-install the barrel and forearm, If I need to place in safe for long term storage.
 
#25 ·
As a friend of mine, who is a materials specialist said, springs wear via two mechanisms; cycles, and prolonged stress.

Leave a spring under tension for a long time, it "takes a set." But this takes a loooong time. And is worse at high temperature, which gun springs are not subject to.

And, every time you drop the hammer, it wears the spring.

So, which is worse? Leaving it under tension (which it still is, even if you drop the hammer), or one more cycle when you hit it against the snap cap?

In the end, it probably won't have any effect, good or bad, on the life of your hammer springs.
 
#26 ·
I use a wool one in my Ljutic before I put it in the travel case or cabinet. I do the same thing with A zooms with my XT. If I forget to use the cap before I break it down and put in in the travel case, I have an eraser that I put against the firing pin port and pull the trigger
 
#28 ·
Oh Yeh, As many have said on here already, I'm not so sure it helps with hammer springs much at all, but I'm sure it helps keep alot of dirt out of the inside of the receiver, since the firing pin hole is the only way dirt can get in while the stock is on!!! So I do it more for dirt than for springs. But, I feel its killing two birds with one stone as it were!!! Otherwise dirt will build up inside the hole while you wipe down the inside of the receiver. break em all. Jeff
 
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