Most dummy rounds are made of solid plastic, but some ofthe newer brands mold plastic bullets into a handgun case, which seem to be more durable. Regardless of the type of inert ammunition you use, dummy ammunition is an important self-defense tool that you’re going to need for some upcoming malfunction drills.
The importance of conducting malfunction drills with dummy rounds at the forefront, rather than live ammunition, cannot be stressed enough. First, there is no chance for an unintentional discharge when using inert ammunition. Second, conducting malfunction drills with dummy rounds can be done at safely at home.
Knowing how to manipulate a malfunctioned firearm under pressure is an important self-defense skill. Regular practice at the range, if allowed, is the best way to become proficient at fixing stoppages such as a stove-pipe, double-feed jam or other problems. However, before heading to the range to gain confidence, malfunction drills should be practiced slowly at first with inert ammunition.
Dummy rounds can be obtained for both loading and malfunction drills by handloading without propellant and primer, or by purchasing them pre-made. I prefer purchasing dummy rounds, rather than making them, because professional dummy rounds are available in bright colors, usually orange, that obviously mark them as inert.