Dry firing an 1887 lever action

[DrScorpio]

I recently purchased my first shotgun and ended up getting a Chiappa 1887. I have a concern regarding dry firing it. The manual states that I should "NEVER dry fire the gun".

How much truth is there to this? I was wondering if it was just the manufacturer playing it safe. I dry fire my handguns all the time and same with my AR. Never had any issues.

I was worried since the manufacturer chose to put the word NEVER all in caps in the manual. If dry firing is bad, can I just use snap caps?

[TRAP55]

Yep, that's what snap caps are for.

[mjmagee67]

Most all manufacturers will say if it is OK to dry fire. Since they say "Never" I would take that as "NEVER" and get some snap caps.

I tend to use snap caps in all my guns even though the manufacturer says dry fire away.

[ChrisC]

Punch as hard as you can into the air and let me know if that hurts your arm. If it doesn't after one try, keep doing it over and over. To me it is the same as dry firing. Snap caps are a cheap safety.

[DrScorpio]

Snap caps it is then!