dry fire a gun?

[virgil]

I have heard it is not advised to dry fire a gun without snap caps. Can someone tell me why this is so?
Thanks

[Timberwolf]

depends - what type of "gun" are we speaking of?

[metalhead357]

As many opinions as there are people with guns.

I always have stuck with-- If I cant dry fire the gun for fear of it breaking-- I WONT OWN THE GUN!

[Black Majik]

Modern day centerfire pistols are ok, though many still use snapcaps for the extra insurance.

Never dryfire a rimfire pistol.

[virgil]

It is a S&W model 19 purchased in 1974. It has a 6" barrel. I'm the original owner and it has about 75-100 rounds through it. Excellent condition.

[Timberwolf]

I'd go snap caps

[MudCamper]

I'd go with what the manufacturer recommends. Some say it's OK. Some say it's a no-no.

Also, read this: http://www.corneredcat.com/Practice/dryfire.aspx

[mothergreen]

yep its been covered. some guns need snap caps others dont. I use em in everything just because I can.

[taloft]

It is a S&W model 19 purchased in 1974. It has a 6" barrel. I'm the original owner and it has about 75-100 rounds through it. Excellent condition.

Dry firing a gun that has a hammer mounted firing pin without snap caps isn't a good idea. You could wind up with a damaged/broken firing pin. I usually use snap caps in everything. It is good practice for loading and unloading as well.

[tacticalcity]

I would consider a gun you can't dry fire useless. You need to do dry fire drills to master your trigger.

[mothergreen]

I would consider a gun you can't dry fire useless. You need to do dry fire drills to master your trigger.

snap caps....

[cmaynes]

snap caps....

snap caps are great- use them for your dry practice and randomly load them into your range mags for failure to fire drills.

keeps you on your toes


cm

[metalhead357]

snap caps....

Back to the useless factor if ya' ask me.....WHY own a gun that the firing pin is so troublesome? The only use I have for snap caps is *dry LOADING* some guns after I've been monky'n with the action (i.e. lever action 30-30, pump SG).

If you've got a gun where the firing pin is hitting something other than the primer-- you got a problem. You have a rimfire firing pin that connecting with the chamber rim-- You got a problem. You have a firing pin that cant hold up to being dry-fired----> you got a problem. Jussss me- but I wont onw something like that simply for the reason that if the friggin thing breaks under SPRING pressure---> What in the hell is going to do with a primer burst??????/

[c good]

Most Centerfire S&W wheelguns will suffer no damage from dry firing. Some S&W owners swear that it's best to dry fire first to smooth things up and mate the surfaces before doing any internal polishing and smithing. The only thing I can see a snap cap doing for a Model 19 (or any other S&W revolver) is keep the hammer from slamming into the frame harder than normal. I can't imagine the ever so slight amount of resistance from the firing pin striking the primer/snap cap is that important to the functioning of the firearm and the avoidance of any damage. Now....there ARE other firearms you definitely don't want to dry fire. As mentioned above Rimfire .22's are the ones that suffer the most from dry firing. Don't ask me how I know..... HTH c good Sweet Revolver BTW! Gotta love a K frame!

[metalhead357]

i totally agree.i mean come on when was the last time any of us broke a fireing pin.even if it did happen you would only replace it once

over 30+ years of shooting and I've managed to break........NONE