Is it OK to Dry Fire an AR15?

[Phil3]

The title says it all...safe to dry fire an AR15? I am new to ARs, but after each shot, the trigger is cocked, so it appears one must always effectively dry-fire the gun at some point (i.e., when finished shooting).

- Phil

[Jicko]

yes

[AmpedUp]

Yes its fine. Just need to make sure you don't dry fire a lower with no upper or BCG.

[Group B]

Yes

[1988]

Yes its fine. Just need to make sure you don't dry fire a lower with no upper or BCG.

Why ? Please explain.

[Packy14]

Why ? Please explain.

you will crack your lower

[bender152]

Why ? Please explain.

The hammer strikes the bolt catch and could cause damage.

[WeekendWarrior]

WWRTW

[reidnez]

The title says it all...safe to dry fire an AR15? I am new to ARs, but after each shot, the trigger is cocked, so it appears one must always effectively dry-fire the gun at some point (i.e., when finished shooting).

- Phil

Why do you assume that to be the case? Many rifles and pistols sit for years and decades cocked, and they function just fine. If it were a bad design, then all weapons would come with decocking levers.

It is usage (compression and expansion) that wears out springs, not constant compression. But even that is a rather moot point, as good springs last a very long time (thousands of rounds) and are cheap to replace in any event.

It's quite fine to dry-fire an AR, and in fact snapping in is a very good way to practice shooting positions and trigger control at home. When I was a young Marine recruit, we snapped in a couple thousand times before we were given live rounds on the range. Just make sure you thoroughly clear the weapon (by sight and feel) multiple times before you do it. Don't even have live rounds in the same room.

[Phil3]

As a matter of practice, I don't store weapons in a cocked state. I could so, as you state, and be safe with the safety on, when I load with a mag at soime future date. But, just my preference, I don't want the weapon cocked when not being used.

I have heard of magazine springs for pistols weakening by being left in a loaded (compressed) state for prolonged period, but I was not considering that with regards to the AR.

I will use dry snapping at home to practice. That is helpful.

- Phil

[MasterYong]

no facepalm image yet? CGers... ima disappointed in you!

i'm actually surprised every has said yes. Usually with these threads there are a hundred people on both sides of the fence regardless of the weapon in question...

[Fate]

I have heard of magazine springs for pistols weakening by being left in a loaded (compressed) state for prolonged period,

This is an old wives tale.

[Phil3]

This is an old wives tale.

There must be a lot of wives out there...but have seen no compelling evidence to prove springs whilst remaining compressed. At least other than the fact that every vehicle on the road is supported by springs and precious few of them have sacked out after holding up a ton or two (or three) for a decade or more. - Phil

[shark92651]

The hammer strikes the bolt catch and could cause damage.

This is true. I've seen a bolt catch snapped in half from dry-firing a completed lower just a few times without an upper in place.

[high_revs]

that's what i heard/read in the past too. i used snap caps. for example, my rra 2-stage trigger instruction says test the trigger but don't let it hit the bolt catch. so i have a finger on it ready to catch it since i don't have an upper on. it's not often i'll dry fire anyway even with upper on unless i put my snap caps in there.

even then, don't you still get some unnecessary wear with snap caps?