What's the problem with dry firing?

[chaled]

What's the problem with dry firing? Can any serious damage be done. If so, then why did we "snap in" and for a week at Parris Island and dry fire the hell out of our rifles before hitting the range. What's the deal?

[Mikeb]

There is no real problem with dry firing center fire guns. Rim fire on the other hand does cause damage. Many folk favor using "snap caps" to give the firing pin something to hit. The biggest problem with dry fire is the chance of a negligent discharge. So if you wish to use this exercise, clear the room of ammo
taske care
Mike

[Army]

The military does it, because we have buckets of spare parts.


at home, use snap caps.

[OutlawDon]

It's fine on centerfire arms, but not on rimfires.

Dry fire away.

[Dr Rockso]

It can be rough on the firing pin if done often enough. Snap caps are cheap.

[professionalcoyotehunter]

Why wear down parts if you don't have to?

[audihenry]

Some firearms are known to break the firing pin with dry firing, such as the CZ-52. If you want to dry fire, get snap caps.

[cmonk518]

If you have a pistol or rifle made after 1990, 99% of the time you will have a free floating firing pin. With a free float, you don't have to worry at all about damaging your firearm.

Your best source of evidence is ALL the tactical instructors in the US who have had their glocks or 1911s and have done hundreds and thousands of dry firing practice, re-racking, dry-firing for presentation, dry-firing while in courses, while teaching, etc. and nothing has ever happened to their firearm. Many of your most premier tactical instructors have carried the same Glock they've had since official duty and training. All police depts that I know of like LAPD, LASD, San Bernardino, FBI, etc. all preach dry-firing, so you have no worries at all.

If you have the tiniest of reservations, put snap caps while you dry-fire. I don't know of anyone that really uses them anymore.

[audihenry]

If you have a pistol or rifle made after 1990, 99% of the time you will have a free floating firing pin. With a free float, you don't have to worry at all about damaging your firearm.

Your best source of evidence is ALL the tactical instructors in the US who have had their glocks or 1911s and have done hundreds and thousands of dry firing practice, re-racking, dry-firing for presentation, dry-firing while in courses, while teaching, etc. and nothing has ever happened to their firearm. Many of your most premier tactical instructors have carried the same Glock they've had since official duty and training. All police depts that I know of like LAPD, LASD, San Bernardino, FBI, etc. all preach dry-firing, so you have no worries at all.

If you have the tiniest of reservations, put snap caps while you dry-fire. I don't know of anyone that really uses them anymore.

Many people have guns and rifles that do not have free floating firing pins. It's not a good habit to get into lest you dry fire a rare gun and f*** it up.

[CHS]

Some rimfire's are fine to dry-fire also. 10/22's and TacSol AR uppers for example have captive firing pins and can be dry-fired.

[chaled]

Wow boat loads of data from you guys I love it. Ok i'm making a donation right now, what I should've done a while ago. Thanks everyone.

[POLICESTATE]

Another great benefit of snap caps is to make sure you are cycling properly without having to use live ammo. And they don't look like brass loaded only with a bullet and no primer/powder (which looks like live ammo)

I use snap caps after cleaning so make sure rounds are feeding, getting ejecting and all that good stuff, and I don't have to worry about putting holes in anything.

[joelukehart]

The firing pin on my dedicated .22 Ceiner AR broke into two pieces while dry firing.

[CHS]

The firing pin on my dedicated .22 Ceiner AR broke into two pieces while dry firing.

Yeah, I don't believe Ciener's use a firing pin stop.

TacSol does. Not sure if Spikes does. I don't think CMMG does.