What's wrong with this picture? Yikes!

[Racer88]

TYPO! I'm outta edits.

Learn to type, ya troglodyte!

 

[Racer88]

I went full tilt boogie buying those stupid purple ones because you see them everywhere. I bought them in various calibers and not just pistols all at once. I bought them at Bass Pro Shops because I could hold them in my hand! The rifle versions have worked out fine. 30-06, 556/223 and 300AAC

Yep. Me, too. I got them in almost all the calibers I have.

 

[Bongo Lewi]

Yeah... I've learned that the aluminum versions are crap. They did work well for a while, though. I never got around to trying the plastic... assuming that metal was better than plastic, eh?

One of the things I like about B's Dummy's is that they use lead projectiles (coated with colored plastic), which gives them a realistic weight. For dry fire practice, mag change practice, etc... the mag weight is realistic.

I'll check those out! The orange tipped dummies I mentioned are very light. Just plastic bullets. As I said they work fine but I think we can all agree the closer you are to the dimensions and weight of a live round, the better. I poked around and they were made by a company called ST Action Amazon product ASIN B004KZ357G
View: https://www.amazon.com/Action-Pro-Trainer-Cartridge-Ammunition/dp/B004KZ357G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=pewpewtac-20&linkId=aa29cb625de631f880382a52896e01ea&language=en_US#customerReviews
My shotgun dummies are all aluminum but the action is so different from a semi-auto pistol that it doesn't tear them up.

 

[Racer88]

I'll check those out! The orange tipped dummies I mentioned are very light. Just plastic bullets. As I said they work fine but I think we can all agree the closer you are to the dimensions and weight of a live round, the better. I poked around and they were made by a company called ST Action Amazon product ASIN B004KZ357G
View: https://www.amazon.com/Action-Pro-Trainer-Cartridge-Ammunition/dp/B004KZ357G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=pewpewtac-20&linkId=aa29cb625de631f880382a52896e01ea&language=en_US#customerReviews
My shotgun dummies are all aluminum but the action is so different from a semi-auto pistol that it doesn't tear them up.

B's Dummy's also makes shotgun dummies.

 

[Racer88]

When I took this photo of a malfunction (FTFeed), I put the gun down on the bench, aimed downrange. Not in my crotch, aimed at my torso!

 

[GSW10]

no common sense or awareness.

Well yeah, that is really the crux of the problem most of the time, isn't it?

@GSW10 I am doubtful that's a self-made dummy round. If it was and I posted that photo, I would put a caveat disclaimer up letting folks know that it is in fact a dummy round, so that my photo doesn't circulate on the internet illustrating a dummy.

I wasn't referring to 'self-made' dummy cartridges -I don't reload and mine are professionally-made. Neoprene-rubber in the primer-pocket and 'actual' bullets and casings. Proper weight, look and feel real -this is an old-school training tool, load them mixed-in with live ammo and watch for anticipation when pulling the trigger, and practice hang-fire drills too.

I would guess that the guy is an idiot pointing a loaded and untested firearm towards himself in order to cry for help when he can't figure out how the damn thing is even supposed to work, let alone why it doesn't. However, I wouldn't ASSUME it. And just because we see his crappy photo pulled out of context here, doesn't mean he didn't communicate elsewhere that he uses dummies, and even if he never said that doesn't mean those are live cartridges. If he was a Member here, I would ask him about them before dog-piling on about his apparent stupidity. [Shrug] But he isn't a Member here, so eff'im.

I use snap caps. For me, they seem to feed better out of a mag than spent cases. They don't wear out, so it's buy once cry once sort of thing. I use the ones with a fixed rubber primer or a spring loaded primer so they don't bugger the firing pin.

Some snap-caps feed better, some do not. I've helped diagnose more than one Build that was failing BECAUSE of the dummies, but feed 'real' ammo perfectly -most common with those orange plastic dummies. [Shrug] I also use dummies or 'snaps' with rubber in the primer-pockets, aside from rim-fire. "A-Zoom's" aluminum rim-fire 'snaps' are just soft enough for the firing pins, so dry-firing won't harm them. I've gotten into the habit of just leaving one in the chamber for storage so even that last pull of the trigger isn't dry-firing (on rim-fire only). I don't like abusing my stuff. But EVERYTHING wears out if you USE it enough.

Snap caps without a doubt can behave much differently than actual ammo. The dimensions are different. Take some calipers to your ammo and snap caps and you will see. Better yet, if your toolbox includes micrometers, use those instead.

I don't really favor those purple snap caps you show in one of the photos. (the snap caps in the photo that are road hard and put away wet !)

Exactly -and why my training 'dummies' often serve double-duty for testing too. I have some of the "A-Zoom" brand snap-caps @Racer88 shows. They wear-out a little faster than brass-cased versions, but are sufficient and a good value if found on sale. I still prefer the actual 'Dummies' though, but the "B"s look fantastic.

I have no problem testing with snap-caps, but when I test, I want to give it every opportunity to FAIL. If the weapon can't feed and eject virtually ANYTHING of the correct caliber, I want to know it before it leaves my home.