Please precisely define "dry-fire"

[Reynold]

After searching, I learned that it is not recommended to dry-fire rimfires such as the Sig Mosquito.

If you use snap caps though, then is it no longer considered dry-firing, and thus safe? I was confused because I thought dry-firing just meant pulling the trigger without live ammo in the gun.

Is it or is it not OK to pull the trigger on a Sig Mosquito with a snap cap?

[dominic]

After searching, I learned that it is not recommended to dry-fire rimfires such as the Sig Mosquito.

If you use snap caps though, then is it no longer considered dry-firing, and thus safe? I was confused because I thought dry-firing just meant pulling the trigger without live ammo in the gun.

Is it or is it not OK to pull the trigger on a Sig Mosquito with a snap cap?

You already precisely defined what dry firing is (in bold). Damage occurs when there is nothing for the firing pin to hit. Snap caps give the firing pin something to hit.

[llamatrnr]

Yep, you're good to go with SnapCaps, as Dominic stated

[E Pluribus Unum]

Remember that snap caps are only required on rim fire weapons.

Center fire weapons do not require snap caps...

[Flyingpootang]

Some FP are pinned and do not allow for the FP to hit the barrel (newer 10/22). The best way to /check is to manually push the FP forward and see if it extends past the bolt face.

[Lurch762]

Remember that snap caps are only required on rim fire weapons.

Center fire weapons do not require snap caps...

Not true. A CZ52 will work harden its firing pin and eventually break it if you dry fire without a snap cap. Not a good idea to dry fire old revolvers with fixed firing pins too unless using a snap cap.

As for .22lr, seems nobody makes a reusable snap cap. I usually save some empty shell casings from the range to use so I don't chew up my .22 dummy cartridges. I've heard of others using a small drywall anchor as a snap cap too.

[Izzy43]

No. 4 drywall anchors (yellow in color) at Home Depot, really cheap, will usually feed from most magazine and ejectors work on them as well. I use them all the time in all my .22 rifles and pistols. Did I say CHEAP.

[MaHoTex]

No. 4 drywall anchors (yellow in color) at Home Depot, really cheap, will usually feed from most magazine and ejectors work on them as well. I use them all the time in all my .22 rifles and pistols. Did I say CHEAP.

No Kidding? Huh... I will have to give that a try!

[Reynold]

You already precisely defined what dry firing is (in bold). Damage occurs when there is nothing for the firing pin to hit. Snap caps give the firing pin something to hit.

Suppose I were to ignore all the good advice and dry-fire my Sig Mosquito anyway and destroy the firing pin. How much would it cost to replace it?

As for .22lr, seems nobody makes a reusable snap cap.

Wow.. really? I am surprised.

[Kryptyde]

The general danger with firing a rimfire with nothing in the chamber is that on some designs this will allow the firing pin to strike the breech when the rim of a cartridge is not present to absorb the blow. The breech damage issue is not generally a concern with centerfires as the firing pin is in the middle of the chamber rather than at the edge.

Enough blows to the breach can cause it to become malformed and this can in turn cause issues with the chamber and ultimately accuracy and reliability.

If the design of your rimfire allows this to occur then it is wise to use a snap cap or some other item to protect the breech on the last round.

I havent researched the Sig Mosquito but I know that my rimfires (10/22 and CZ 452) are safe so I dont worry about it.

[E Pluribus Unum]

Not true. A CZ52 will work harden its firing pin and eventually break it if you dry fire without a snap cap. Not a good idea to dry fire old revolvers with fixed firing pins too unless using a snap cap

I've never seen, nor have I ever heard of a problem dry firing center-fire weapons. You may be correct about "old revolvers" and "CZ52"s because I am not familiar with these models. Suffice it to say that 99.99% of the rest of the center fire guns are perfectly fine to dry-fire.

[M4rk]

so, is it bad for .22 to dry fire?

[AAShooter]

Check with the manufacturer but generally dry firing a rimfire gun is not recommended.

[E Pluribus Unum]

so, is it bad for .22 to dry fire?

Generally speaking... yes.

[Cokebottle]

You already precisely defined what dry firing is (in bold). Damage occurs when there is nothing for the firing pin to hit. Snap caps give the firing pin something to hit.

Actually, the problem is not when the pin has nothing to hit, the problem is when the pin hits the wrong thing.

Remember... Centerfire, the pin strikes the primer in the center of the chamber.
No primer, "click"

Rimfire, the pin strikes the edge of the cartridge.
Without a cartridge (or snap cap), the pin will hit the edge of the chamber. Enough strikes and it will peen the edge of the chamber and cause feed problems.