You weren't specific on caliber but, I have tried the 9mm and 40S&W CCI snakeshot and it cycles fine. I have used 22 snakeshot crimped rounds (not CCI) and doubt it would cycle in a semi-auto as even my bolt action had difficulty extracting the spent brass.
absolutly not. the .22 semi auto's NEED the bullet to create enough back pressure to cycle the slide. If it will cycle w/ those, i would be afraid of how much abuse the frame is taking.
Hummm... it's been a while.
I don't 'think' the 22's cycled the Beretta 87... but, I may be mistaken (been to long ago).
Now in respects to the 9mm variety. I have tried them in a Kahr K9 and Sig P228, with no problems. Now, I have an old Tanfoglio that doesn't like hollow points after a few shots. It will stove pipe, as the feed ramp gets dirty from firing. If you try the shot shells in this pistol, the first round is normally fine. But when it cycles and the second bullet's tip hits the feed ramp... all h*ll breaks loose. The plastic cap breaks and little lead bb's go everywhere!
It's not fun cleaning up the gun after that happens. Lead is wedged into every little hole and crack it can find.