Tipton Shotgun Snap Caps with False Primer, Reusable Construction, in Various Calibers for Dry-Firing, Practice and Safe Firearm Storage

Does what it says on the box. Only thing I can say about it so far is that I got this for a Mossberg 88 that is chambered for 2 3/4 and 3" shells, and this is shorter than either by a noticeable amount. It's not even a negative per-se, it chambers just fine, just something to be aware of if you are expecting a 1:1 representation of a shell that size. It comes in a 2 pack so I put the second one in the tube to cycle it and see what happens. I would not recommend doing so since the rim is plastic and gets a bit chewed up when you force it into the tube. It didn't break, but it clearly wears quickly if you do that. I'm pretty sure they aren't even designed for that, but curiosity got the best of me. Just drop it straight in the chamber, close the action, (point in a safe direction), and pull the trigger. Simple.

These snap caps are specifically designed, as stated in the manufacturer's specs to be used only in BREAK OPEN shotguns, typically for the purpose of safely dropping the hammers for storage or dry firing with them. They are NOT designed nor intended as dummy ammo for the purpose of cycling autoloaders or pump shotguns. This is what is printed in the Amazon description: (quote) DESIGN: With a false primer that is spring buffered, Tipton Snap Caps reduce stress on the firing pin and barrel breech when dry firing. For use with break open shotguns, not semi-autos or pumps. I am a certified Remington Armorer. Cycling repeaters do not require snap caps for dry cycling or dry firing. Factory personnel and armorers use conspicuously marked DUMMY ammo that can be hand loaded without powder (use Cream of Wheat or sawdust instead of the powder) and spent primers. Blacken the brass heads with Birchwood Casey brass black, and label the hulls on two sides DUMMY with a Sharpie. Or, buy five dummy shells. Do not be a dummy and fail to read the manufacturer's statement regarding their intended application.

I was initially pleased with the snap caps. I just opened my shot gun and they flew out. They are intended to allow the gun to be in the fired position, saving strain in the firing pin springs. Apparently the plastic has degraded somehow..

Save your money and buy the metal one . I purchased two sets in 12 ga. , one in 16 ga. and one set in 20 ga. . First use in my silver pidgeon upon opening the gun one popped out the other went in the chamber as the retaining ring cracked off presumably as soon as I had closed the gun. 20. gauge browning csx did same thing with both barrels after three or four uses. Just pulled browning 16 gauge. hunter model out of safe to prep for upcoming trip and as soon as I opened the breech the rim fell off lower barrel which promptly slipped into the chamber. While getting gun cleared is no problem the single use and low quality of these is ridiculous regardless of the cost.

When I opened the package I was surprised that these were only 2 inches long. My shotgun is chambered for 2 3/4 or 3 inch cartridges. I was surprised that they actually racked thru the pump action. So I was able to test the action. I had also purchased a 5 pack of "dummy" inert 12 gauge rounds and they were only 2 1/8 inch - yet they all "racked" thru OK. I thought they would all be closer to the actual length of a 12 gauge shot shell. The individual cost breakdown between the dummy rounds and these snap caps were very close. Between the two, I think I prefer the dummy rounds.

It arrived on time, as described by Amazon & manufacturer, the packaging was undamaged, and the product itself was unmolested and made with quality materials. I own 2 now, and just purchased 4 more so that I can practice with a full magazine. Tipton, great products, I have other practice rounds for my different shooting platforms and they all bear well under various training modalities and I have yet to have one break. Now, the extractor lip does wear down and is the only vulnerability that I have noticed, but this was after years of use. Otherwise, a great training device with new users, your children, and when you want to keep your foundational skills up. This is for a revolver, so I load the snap caps into a strip magazine and practice loading my revolver that way too...simulating cover and reloading etc. Great tool.

A simple yet effective product and done with quality and durability. I've been a long time fan of Tipton.

I bought the 12g, .308 and .22 lr snap caps from Tipton upon reccomendation from a local store. I haven't tried the other 2 yet as the guns I've bought them for hasn't come in yet but I have been able to test/use the 12g snapcaps. In all honesty, considering they were more expensive than the other 2 models I've bought, I'm very disappointed with their performance. The back of the 12g where the primer is located has a plastic edge/base and not brass like their .308 model. This leads to the edge of the snapcap being deformed within days of usage. I've included images showing the plastic edge of one my snap caps that the extracter holds onto being completely removed. In addition, I've included another image of the back of another unbroken (at least for now) snap cap showing the wear and tear just using it led to. Finally, I've also included some comparison images as well as an image of their .308 win snap cap showing the metallic base which I imagine is more durable that the 12g one but will have to try to confirm. In short, maybe the rifle snapcaps here are solid but I definitely wouldn't recommend the 12g one and I'll update this review upon trying the .22lr ones as those are fully plastic so I imagine they won't last long either.