Are Snap-Caps Required for Dry Fire??

[martian9r]

I parsed this from another thread to avoid a hijack---

Make sure that you use snap caps when you dry fire the CZ, they are one of the few centerfire handguns that will be damaged by dryfiring w/o a snapcap.

I have not heard this before, and am wondering if it is true.  I have seen many threads that say the best way to "break-in" the trigger of the CZ is to dry fire like crazy, but I don't remember anyone saying dry fire without a snap-cap would damage the gun.

So, have I done something bad to my CZ now?

[sfrenchy]

There are SO many opinions on this. From what I can gather talking to long time shooters at USPSA matches I've been to the consensus seems to be that dry firing "modern" CZ"s will not hurt anything. The only CZ's I've heard of to NOT dry fire are the older models, like a 52 or possibly the 82? I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms here. I have a Dan Wesson PM7 45 (1911) that I've dry fired a LOT..no problems. Let the replys begin....  (:

[Spirit 1]

The problem with dry firing CZ's is that it deforms the firing pin retainer pin. CZ came up with an improvement of a doubled roll pin for firing pin retainer pin. That works to a certain degree, but maybe not as well as it should.

Cajun Gunworks has their Cajun Gunworks FP-RP - Carbide Firing Pin Retainer Pin, which is a solid carbide steel retainer pin that permanently eliminates the problems. It's cheap and fairly easy to install.

Just use extra care when installing retainer pin to be sure that firing pin & firing pin spring are all the way back so that retainer pin clears, without nicking or ruining the firing pin or spring. I broke a firing pin spring & put some nicks in my new extended firing pin because they weren't back far enough to clear the retainer pin when installing.

[FF1063]

I use them in every gun I own, cheap insurance.

[wkumatt]

My understanding had been modern CZ (75 and newer) equals safe to dry fire. Older Milsurp CZ equals cast firing pin and risk of breaking it.

That said, snap caps are dirt cheap, buy some, use them.


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[jgalloway79]

glad you asked this question, martian. I was actually signing in to ask this very question myself. Based on what i've read here and elsewhere i think i'm going to invest in some. They're pretty cheap, so why not? The question is plastic or metal? Any particular brand that's better than the rest?

[goat herder]

I too was a little confused on dry firing since opinions are mixed. Snap caps are more like "recommended", instead of "required". I thought what the heck so i bought some. From what I've read, the metal one are more durable and will last u a long rime. rhey are well made and feel like real ammo.  they are a bit more expensive but will worth the investment

[Hayfield123]

+1 on using snap caps.  Compared to what you paid for your pistol, they are dirt cheap.  Some folks say you need them . . . some say you don't . . .  but no one says don't use them! 

 I use them a lot when I get a new pistol . . .  and have no worries that I'm going to damage a new baby!

[1SOW]

The only CZ's I've heard of to NOT dry fire are the older models, like a 52 or possibly the 82? I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms here. I have a Dan Wesson PM7 45 (1911) that I've dry fired a LOT..no problems. Let the replys begin....  (:

I shoot a newer model 9mm 75B and have dry-fired it a lot without any pin issues.  I have snap caps that Ive mainly used for mag training and with live ammo to check for flinch.  I've also had the firing pin out for cleaning and installing an extended FP, all with the same pin.  I recently broke down and got the CGW carbide pin, because the old pin was battered where I had taken it in and out with punches that "almost" fit.

I have read ONE thread on another forum, where an active USPSA shooter had pieces break off the "outer" pin (with lots of dry-fire) and jamb the FP intermittently.

YMMV

[Spirit 1]

It's my understanding that the reason for going to the doubled roll pin was due to this issue in the past. Possibly I'm mistaken but that was my take on it. The Cajun Gunworks carbide pin takes it one step further and would be the permanent fix: if it is indeed the roll pin that's the only thing that got whacked from dry fires. I don't personally know if any other parts were ever effected by dry firing?

[martian9r]

I guess it isnt a big deal to use them for a gun like the CZ, but imagine trying to use them for a striker fired semi-auto.  What a PIA that would be.  Of course I have a Ruger MKIII 22/45, so I could be dealing with that as well, but it has a firing pin block so it can be dry fires without snap caps, but many people adivse to use them anyway for peace of mind.  Seems like if you wanted to pull  the trigger more than once, you would need a mag full of them.

[dleong]

An appropriately sized rubber O-ring placed in the hammer well at the rear of the slide will prevent the hammer from hitting the firing pin when dry firing.

[Faeruss7]

glad you asked this question, martian. I was actually signing in to ask this very question myself. Based on what i've read here and elsewhere i think i'm going to invest in some. They're pretty cheap, so why not? The question is plastic or metal? Any particular brand that's better than the rest?

     I use A-Zoom snap caps, and I am satisfied. They hold up better than some of the other snap caps I have bought in the past, due to their aluminum construction. Also, I think they are weighted better than the plastic ones, so they handle similarly to how loaded ammo does.

[arush22]

snaps caps are cheap and no firearm is really designed for dry fire... I alway use snap caps. 

[dlidster]

An appropriately sized rubber O-ring placed in the hammer well at the rear of the slide will prevent the hammer from hitting the firing pin when dry firing.

Or a piece of inner tube rubber or half a foam ear plug. Use you imagination, but don't bend or break the pin.