Snap caps for dry fire practice?

[PNW EOD]

Are snap caps necessary for dry fire practice with today's high end custom actions? I have heard in the past that the negative force on the firing pin has led to issues, but I have also heard recently that there is no need. Is this folklore or do snap caps actually protect crucial firing train components?

 

[theEMP]

I do a lot of dry fire practice with my rifle (20ish shots a night) and have had no issues. Ryan Cleckner (he does the Going Ballistic Podcast) says not to worry about it. With old rifles you might have a issue but modern rifles I don't worry about it.

 

[Bravo 4]

I have dry fired some rifles (custom, factory, and issued) thousands of times without an issue.

 

[PNW EOD]

Thanks guys. I figured as much, but I didn't want to break something on a brand new custom rifle before I even got to shoot it...

 

[Capt RB]

Take an empty case put a pencil eraser in the primer hole and try to wear it out. I shot springfields for a lot of hunting years. if my grandfather heard I was dryfiring without this or a snapcap He'd shovel himself out just to cuff me in the back of the head.

 

[Zerk]

Ain't 50 years ago either. So does it hurt?

 

[Chopperguy]

Ain't 50 years ago either. So does it hurt?

Absolutely not for modern forearms.

I you don't practice dry firing, you are missing out on an excellent training opportunity to make you a much better shooter.

 

[Zerk]

The question is then, how old is old, and what is a modern rifle?