basic handgun questions

[glow17]

This is probably a super basic question, but haven't seen any info on this. After the slide is racked for clearing or inspection purposes is it nessesary to dry fire? I would assume not dry firing after racking would leave tension on the trigger mechanism and dry firing would relieve that.

Also I plan on going to the range, manual sais I need to clean the gun out before first time use. Is this absouletly nessecary?

[Wheellock]

You don't have to dry fire when you store a pistol, but it does relieve the tension on the hammer/striker spring.

From the factory, a lot of pistols have rust preventative, but not lubricants on them. I few rounds probably won't hurt, but for the best function, some lube is preferable. Also, some guns are quite dirty from the factory, so it is good to give it a look over before you fire anyway

[saudadeii]

I always dry fire a striker before storage. I decock my DA/SA and 1911s as well. I do the same with my long guns. Not necessary but old habits die hard.

[P5Ret]

Depends on the gun. I don't think I'd hesitate to store a striker fired gun cocked. Anything with a hammer I would store hammer down. It wouldn't hurt the gun, just more a sense of a bit of safety.

[pinger]

If you are talking about a hammer fired gun, if empty for storage, I always dry fire the gun to release the hammer. It is not necessary, just personal preference.

Gun springs can be left in the compressed state. If the springs are properly spec'd, the compressed state will have no effect on the life of the spring. It is the number of cycles (many thousands) that ages the springs.

It is important to inspect any firearm before use. Whether a cursory inspection by cycling the action and inspecting any noticeable debris in chamber or barrel. If the mechanism looks either dirty, dry or sticky, then a cleaning and oiling is called for.

[E Michael]

Cocked and locked

[SanDiego619]

I always dry fire, spring rest. All guns. Probably not necessary, but it feels good.

[still919]

"nessecary?"....Ha! Partial Freudian slip, perhaps? Don't be scared.

You don't have to do anything you don't want to. But, have you asked yourself why not? I say lift the hood and check out all the glory that makes the bang go bang. If anything, so you have an understanding of the functionality of your firearm under live fire. Knowing what's behind the scenes may aid you in clearing malfunctions as well.

I typically store my firearms decocked.

[Jeepergeo]

This is probably a super basic question, but haven't seen any info on this. After the slide is racked for clearing or inspection purposes is it nessesary to dry fire? I would assume not dry firing after racking would leave tension on the trigger mechanism and dry firing would relieve that.

Also I plan on going to the range, manual sais I need to clean the gun out before first time use. Is this absouletly nessecary?

Ignoring the manufacturer's recommendations is not a good idea.

Consider taking a firearm safety class from an NRA certified instructor. You will have fun and learn a lot...better to learn in a safety class than from a cranky Range Safety Officer.

[glow17]

thanks for the responses. The guns a striker fire (sw sd9ve) its california complient model so theres a weird way to field strip it thats not in owners manual, and i wana c how it performs straight out of the factory. Also i heard new guns r expected to come with a bullet casing in a bag, mine didn't... is that normal.

[Lonestargrizzly]

I always dry fire a striker before storage. I decock my DA/SA and 1911s as well. I do the same with my long guns. Not necessary but old habits die hard.

[CenterX]

Clean it just to be sure!
Some old birds shoot at the range, wipe off, load up and plop into the holster - Eh.. Nope! Always keep the weapon clean as can be - function = survival.

[Thoughts]

Also i heard new guns r expected to come with a bullet casing in a bag, mine didn't... is that normal.

Some might; some don't. I wouldn't worry. Just clean it before firing. It might have some sort of storage goop on it that needs to be removed.

[JTROKS]

Clean it before firing. I’ve often seen metal burrs or foreign objects make their way inside the gun during transit from the factory to the gunshop.

If I’m to store a firearm I make sure it gets cleaned, wipe down with oily rag, cleared/unloaded and hammer/striker down.

Before shooting at the range I make sure the bore is clear in case a patch or foreign object mysteriously made its’ way there.

Enjoy the shooting sports!

[divingin]

This is probably a super basic question, but haven't seen any info on this. After the slide is racked for clearing or inspection purposes is it nessesary to dry fire? I would assume not dry firing after racking would leave tension on the trigger mechanism and dry firing would relieve that.

Also I plan on going to the range, manual sais I need to clean the gun out before first time use. Is this absouletly nessecary?

My $.02:

First off, why question the manual?

Clean (at the very least) the barrel. Any grease or machining chips left in there from manufacturing could cause major problems. It's wise from a functional standpoint to strip the gun down and clean all grease/preservatives from moving areas and relube with the appropriate lubricant, but that will only affect function, as opposed to possible catastrophic failure.

I always try to leave a firearm with uncompressed springs (as much as possible); and/or in a condition that makes accidental discharges unlikely if dropped or someone else handles it (no ammo, hammer down, etc.) In the case of a rifle, completely unloaded, bolt out, mags out. I dry fire to relieve hammer/striker spring compression if I can't do it another way (manually lowering the hammer on a 1911, for example.)