dry firing a cap and ball revolver

[Bobby Ironsights]

Hey, I can't get to the range as often as I'd like, and while I prefer using quality adult airguns for at home target practice, they don't make them in every model.

So, some guns I dry fire for practice, a habit carried over from ten meter olympic style shooting.

I know it's supposed to be a bad practice with percussion guns, because you can hammer down the nipple.

Do they make a rubber nipple cover, or practice plastic nipple inserts I could use, or would I have to get something made or even just go with a cartridge revolver instead?

Too bad really, as I'm kinda liking the thought of a horse pistol, and I've got a few extra bucks burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[DEZ]

Take the nipples out cussion the hammer fall with something is how I practice

 

[Smokepole]

IF your cap and ball revolver is set up properly, the hammer will not strike the nipple, but fall a fraction short. Most are not.

 

[just having some fun]

never tried it but small winshield washer rubber hose cut long should go over nipples

 

[BCRider]

never tried it but small winshield washer rubber hose cut long should go over nipples

Worth a try. Don't leave them on unless you test the rubber first. Some turn to goo when in contact with oils. Maybe better to use short segments of vacuum hose. That material is exposed to gasoline fumes in use so it is far more resistant to goo'ifying itself from contact with any oil that is on the gun.

 

[jamiejaf]

I simply put caps on.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

I simply put caps on.

dead caps? And how much dry firing do you do, and have you noticed any damage?

 

[Smokepole]

I think he means a new live cap... no good for indoor practice.
The tubeing idea is best yet. Plastic aquarium tubeing in the correct size sounds good.

 

[vagrantviking]

do kids plastic cap gun caps fit?

 

[10x]

do kids plastic cap gun caps fit?

Yes but they are corrosive.
They will put out a candle at 15 feet just from the shock wave.

 

[jamiejaf]

dead caps? And how much dry firing do you do, and have you noticed any damage?

I practice fanning with live caps all the time in the house. It pisses off my wife when i win the showdown at the "O K Corral'. Just make sure there's no ball and powder in the cylinder. If you live in the city, i wouldn't bother, unless you're dressed like a cowboy with chaps with no pants or underwear. No damage worth reporting. Sometimes, on the range a cap might fly off and the hammer will stike the nipple. Make sure you seal off the cylinder. I learned my lesson the hard way. I think.

 

[H Wally]

With my cap and ball rifle I have (was given with the gun) a small piece of this rubber tubing. It's very thick wall, heavy rubber with thin diameter center. Works really well. I'd think the thing to watch out for would be the caps slipping while you're dry firing and notice, or them working down the nipple if you've cut them really close.

 

[Musketfire]

I baby my arms too much to dry fire them, spending 2 grand on the damn things makes ya mighty protective

 

[74noots]

They will put out a candle at 15 feet just from the shock wave.

I have got to try that!!!
I pop off a few live caps in the house sometimes - the wife hates it, but the kids think it's cool!!!

The chaps - ugh..........

 

[Ardent]

I have got to try that!!!
I pop off a few live caps in the house sometimes - the wife hates it, but the kids think it's cool!!!

The chaps - ugh..........

Just a heads up you're exposing them to Lead styphnate by doing that in the house, which is extremely toxic. The deadliest and most damaging lead compounds come from the primer/cap, not the bullet. You would be very, very well advised never to fire them off indoors in your house, especially around kids. Your wife is right, and she doesn't even know why.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

lead styphnate is the compound in unfired primers, not in the smoke, but yes, not good to breathe the smoke, or make a habit out of firing them in the house.

 

[10x]

lead styphnate is the compound in unfired primers, not in the smoke, but yes, not good to breathe the smoke, or make a habit out of firing them in the house.

You can use those plastic caps that fit on kids handguns. But they are ever so corrosive so you do have to clean - even if you fire only one.

 

[H Wally]

You can use those plastic caps that fit on kids handguns. But they are ever so corrosive so you do have to clean - even if you fire only one.

Just as a side note... if you're ever in a pinch and they're the right size, you can use them to fire your BP cap and ball if you put a grain of powder under the paper disk in the cap Your mileage may vary, depends on the type of powder too.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

Actually, thanks guys.

I've been put on a gun diet. No more for a year, luckily I've got seven guns in transit, and I was able to add the sale clause. If I sell one I have, I can buy another.