PCR disassembly question

[Macgruber81]

After I returned from the range the other day I cleared my PCR and set it up on my cleaning bench, though I had forgotten I ended up putting in a snap cap that was still chambered when I took the gun down.  When I removed the slide the snap cap was in there and I was both surprised and embarrassed that I did not clear the gun again before cleaning.  I know I should have thought also know I’d never put it on this cleaning area with a live round in it.  Still, I have reminded myself to always check the chamber, even after doing it correctly hundreds of times with various guns over the years.   

My question though is (though I know quite unnecessary), is there any issue with taking the slide off the frame or putting it back on the frame with a snap cap still chambered?  I’d think it would be fine, just not something that is ever really done.   I know that it is not good for a round to be manually chambered and then have the slide engage making the extractor claw have to jump over the case rim—this I did not do and have never. 

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

You can put the slide back on or you can simply push down on the barrel hood and slide the barrel forward in the slide and unchamber the snap cap. Thankfully it's not a live round so it's not a big deal.

[cracker57]

why would one ever want to have a snap cap in the barrel when reassembling?  when the snap cap is in the barrel can you tell if its a snap cap or a live round?

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

why would one ever want to have a snap cap in the barrel when reassembling? 

You obviously want nothing in the chamber when taking down or reassembling the gun. The gist is he made the mistake of not clearing the gun before taking it down and forgot he left the snap cap in there.
The moral of the story is obviously to clear the gun which one should do EVERY time you pick it up for safeties sake.

[Macgruber81]

So yeah I’m aware that ideally nothing is in the chamber and moving forward I’ll clear the gun better.   The question wasn’t as much if it was a good idea or not as I know it’s not, it’s dumb actually.  I was more wondering can it be done mechanically to remove the slide/assemble the slide with a snap cap in place without issue?   

[Joe A.]

An option of not using snap caps is to place a small rubber o-ring over the firing pin between the “ears” on back of slide. Just squeeze it in. I prefer the o-ring over snap caps.
Auto part stores carry them and also Home Depot.

And I almost forgot, do not rack slide back with o-ring in place. It will most likely be launched into space.

[Atomic Punk]

So yeah I’m aware that ideally nothing is in the chamber and moving forward I’ll clear the gun better.   The question wasn’t as much if it was a good idea or not as I know it’s not, it’s dumb actually.  I was more wondering can it be done mechanically to remove the slide/assemble the slide with a snap cap in place without issue?

Yes. I neglected to plunk test some new ammo in my P-01 and when I chambered it, the slide would not go in to battery. I gave it a tap thinking that was all that was needed. Nope, that made it worse. I had to remove the slide release lever, take off the slide and was able to wiggle the barrel out and then had to use a leatherman to lever the round out of the chamber.

I put the gun back together and shot 200 rounds of Blazer Brass through it. No problem

[Wobbly]

I neglected to plunk test some new ammo in my P-01 and when I chambered it, the slide would not go in to battery. I gave it a tap thinking that was all that was needed. Nope, that made it worse.

This is a common problem caused by the tapered chamber in 9mm. All other modern rounds (45ACP, 38Super, 40S&W...) use a straight-walled case, but not 9x19, 9x21 and 9x23. So something isn't right in your die setups, because something is allowing the cartridge to get wedged into that taper.



If your Sizing Die is coming all the way down to nearly kiss the shell holder, then it almost has to be the Taper Crimp setting. I suggest you check your Taper Crimp setting against this article.... https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=78873.0

[Atomic Punk]

Thanks Wobbly. Good info.

I don't reload, however. My situation was from factory ammo made for gamers by Doug Koenig. I got it off a prize table at a match and just assumed it work as CZs are very popular in action shooting competition.