.22 DRY FIRE FIX

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Some time back TommyC asked about Dry Firing .22s. I said I had learned a cheap trick to solve the problem. Use small dry wall anchors.I finely found the exact size. They are #4-6 x 7/8 inch. The small yellow ones.I learned this from a very good gun smith. They keep them in the display case so customers can try guns in the shop.There are no real.22 snap caps just dummy rounds.After a few shots they loose the rim bounce and they cost a lot.The anchors can take lots of hits then still be used for dry wall.They  will even feed from a mag when setting up fail to fire drills.No need to dry fire anymore. Perhaps my mini will now last long enough so when my great grand son goes to the range with his friends they can put down there Plasma Blasters and go retro with powder like in the OLD days!

[scbuxton]

Great tip there Grumpy.  I'll have to try this one out.  Thanks.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Just had a business idea for one of you.If you are in the plastics or injection molding business why not make real  rim fire snap caps out of the stuff they make the anchors from? Or even up grade the plastic ?  Other rim fire shooters must have the same problem as .22 lr users do. PS  The anchors are for .22 lr. Don't think they work for win mag.

[G50AE]

You can dry fire a Glock pistol as much as you want. 

[OLD and GRUMPY]

G50AE---You are probably right. some manufacturers say its ok. I just worry that if it sounds like steel on steel there must be at least a little stress and wear. Over time a small drip can wear down a hard rock.Wish I had your Glock. Yesterday I fired a vintage .357 Blackhawk (the beast)- 1851 confederate navy and of course my NAA  black powder mini.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

UPDATE-- For .22 Win Mag I tried #8-10x1" anchors. In a revolver they seem to work ok. Might be a little thin on the rim. Don't know if they will feed.

[MR_22]

Just had a business idea for one of you.If you are in the plastics or injection molding business why not make real  rim fire snap caps out of the stuff they make the anchors from? Or even up grade the plastic ?  Other rim fire shooters must have the same problem as .22 lr users do. PS  The anchors are for .22 lr. Don't think they work for win mag.

I could make some of these with my 3D printer out of ABS plastic.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

MR-22----There is a need, write the program and sell it! There are several rim fire calibers not just .22. Dummy rounds are not snap caps. The type of plastic you use will be critical. Printed or injection molded the FIRST one to patent it stands to cash in. Do it!

[TwoGunJayne]

You could make the body from plastic, but leave the primer area "open" and fill with silicone adhesive or something like that?

I've got some snap caps that use silicone in the primer pocket.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

I used a pink rubber eraser pressed into the primer pocket of 12 ga and 30-06 brass. Just reload with No powder. Pack shot shell with TP to fill powder space then use wad and shot. They weigh   the same as live ammo so they feed right. Just DO NOT MIX THEM UP! Paint the bullet or end or mark them somehow to avoid mixing them up with LIVE AMMO! Real snap caps are a color that would be hard to mix up. Even better No live ammo in the room during off range drills.

This plastic molding trick solves the rim fire problem. Make them red or pink.

[bujeezus]

Perhaps my mini will now last long enough so when my great grand son goes to the range with his friends they can put down there Plasma Blasters and go retro with powder like in the OLD days!

i wonder how much .22lr will be THEN?

[OLD and GRUMPY]

 They will cost a lot! If they are still made.I rotate my stalk so I   just boxed up 3000 rounds of cci mini mags for deep long term storage. Vac sealed double boxed. should still be good in 2075. I am still firing off stuff from 1960. No duds!!! Can't say the same about new Win bulk. I am blessed that i drive past at least 6 ammo shops each day. Every couple of weeks I get lucky and find a box.