dry fire a gun?

[mothergreen]

I said I use them just because I can not because I have to...

[sloguy]

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

Never dryfire a rimfire pistol.

some rimfire pistols are intended to dryfire.

anyway, the best single answer to the original question is that it depends on the gun.

[swift]

Why do rimfires suffer the most from dry firing?

Do you store your .22 cocked? (How else do you remove the snapcap, check that the chamber is empty and store the pistol?)

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!

[sloguy]

Why do rimfires suffer the most from dry firing?

Do you store your .22 cocked? (How else do you remove the snapcap, check that the chamber is empty and store the pistol?)

the firing pin hits the edge of the chamber and dents it in when you dryfire. the damage cases failure to fire becaise the rim is not supported under the firing pin and doesnt get "pinched" correctly. also the deformed chamber edge makes empty brass extraction difficult.

some rimfires the stress shatters the firing pin, and after the pin breaks additional dryfiring can crack bolts. the ithaca m-49 saddlegun does all of that. never dryfire one of those. its a serious pain to work on them.

[TMC]

Why do rimfires suffer the most from dry firing?

Do you store your .22 cocked? (How else do you remove the snapcap, check that the chamber is empty and store the pistol?)

On many semi-auto rimfire guns with internal hammers you can hold the slide/bolt open just slightly and pull the trigger to drop the hammer. Holding the slide open just a bit keeps the firing pin from hitting the side of the chamber.

[uscbigdawg]

Dry fire mine all the time. Runs 1000%. Anything I couldn't would become a fishing lure.

Rich

[Bassxhead]

Do any of you dryfire your Ruger 10/22s? The manual says its ok but im still weary.

[metalhead357]

Do any of you dryfire your Ruger 10/22s? The manual says its ok but im still weary.

1984-2007 (1) Ruger 10-22... well in excess of 20,000 rounds+ THREE Barrel replacements...TWO stock replacements.....NO Firing pin replacement, NO spring replacement. And I dry fire it every single stinking time I've checked the gun.

It just keeps going and going and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going and and going...............

[metalhead357]

some rimfires the stress shatters the firing pin, and after the pin breaks additional dryfiring can crack bolts.

Sounds like a firing pin with too much travel....it should NOT be hitting the cylinder.....and arguably if it does it should deform............

[Army]

Basically, dry firing allows the firing pins to travel further, than when they would normally contact the primer. The primer acts as a cushion, slowing the pin and hammer (or striker) and keeping it from full travel.

Excessive forward travel can wear out the firing pin hole in the bolt face, enlarging it to the point of allowing the firing pin to pierce the primer. The pin ramming the hole can also work harden the pin, causing crystalization and breakage.

Remember, dry firing alows steel on steel contact, eventually peening surfaces that must remain in spec. Snap caps stop the excessive travel, and cushions the pin the same as a live cartridge.

Those who dry fire with no protection in the chamber have simply been lucky so far......no sexual pun intended

[uscbigdawg]

Guess every competition shooter in every discipline has been lucky to date.

Rich

[railroader]

I dry fire my guns but I have heard that it isn't a good idea to do it with the new ruger P345 45acp guns without the mag in the gun. It has something to do with the mag disconnect. Another one is the earlier CZ75bs have a single roll pin going through the slide to contain the firing pin. A lot of dry firing has been known to break that pin. The newer models supposedly have a heavier pin. I have the earlier model and I haven't broke that pin yet. Mark

[mousegun]

Some personal thoughts:

I think Army is correct in saying that dry firing is an atypical use of a firearm in that it amplifies impact wear on the action. However, if a gun is designed for dry fire training (such as the M1 Garand etc) or if it's of modern design, that wear should not be much greater than normal wear from shooting unless it's a cheap piece of crap.

Shopkeepers sell merchandise. As such they are reluctant to allow casual tire kickers to dry fire thereby causing wear marks on the counter stock. Customers can pick up on this attitude, especially if a gunshop counterguy is their first encounter with a "firearms expert." Urban legends die hard.

Early firearm design and manufacture didn't take into account modern training and practice methods. They were meant to be fired and not much else. Clicking away on an original Colt 73P SAA or snapracking a Borchardt is not good juju.

I have an 1859 Smith & Wesson first model third issue .22 bottom break with engraved provenance. Dry firing that would be a crime against nature.

Like I said: personal thoughts.

[ajl2121]

SHOULD I continue to dry fire my USP .45f?

[mousegun]

SHOULD I continue to dry fire my USP .45f?

Sure. Don't know of a reason not to.