Dry fire? (noobish question)

[InvictusManeo]

I'd like to start practicing dry fire exercises to help with trigger control, but I don't have any dummy rounds or snap caps. If I use a spent casing until I can get my hands on some caps, will that damage the weapon?

Thanks for humoring my entry-level ignorance.

[ohsmily]

Depends on the gun.

Most modern defense-type handguns can be dry fired all day (and night) long without a snap cap without damaging the gun.

What gun are you dryfiring on?

1911s and most rimfires are a different story. (Though, I dryfire my 1911s too).

[InvictusManeo]

PT92. It's also good to know that dry fire won't damage a weapon for the sake of testing trigger feel at shops (after checking the chamber and making sure it's pointed in a safe direction, of course)

I was also curious for the sake of my M44, as I cringe every time my gun-oiled fingers slip off the cocking piece when I try to release spring tension. Now that I've thought about that one a little more, I don't really think I'd want to leave surplus brass in the chamber indefinitely, though. Also seems like it could be more of a problem, as it has to feed from the mag.

Anyway... Thanks!

[tophatjones]

PT92. It's also good to know that dry fire won't damage a weapon for the sake of testing trigger feel at shops (after checking the chamber and making sure it's pointed in a safe direction, of course)

I suggest you also ask before you do so. Even if it is harmless to the gun, the store may not like people doing it.
Not that I ever doubted you though...

[1911su16b870]

IMO dry fire your owned firearms as much as you want. I do not worry about having an empty chamber or damaging my firearms. I am not dryfiring older C&R antique arms, just the current contemporary ones. A couple good posts on calguns about this using search. (My treatise is 16 of this thread )

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=22158&page=2&highlight=dry+fire

[Experimentalist]

I'm sure you're very much aware of the rules of firearm safety, and know to check your gun to be certain it is unloaded.

Don't forget to be certain there is no ammo in the room with you. No loaded mags nearby you might accidentally grab when practicing speed reloading, no stray rounds, nothing.

Check your gun a second time to ensure it is unloaded.

It's smart to have a backstop that is capable of stopping a round should the worst happen. A brick chimney is an example.

And after you're done practicing, YOU'RE DONE!!! There are instances of people who thought they'd "go through the motions" one more time. With a loaded gun.

Unfortunately there are numerous cases where a BANG resulted when a click was expected. Sometimes it results in a round getting pounded through the walls of a motel room (where I stay when taking classes at Front Sight has banned guns from the room because multiple persons staying there have done this).

Sometimes the bullet hits someone. Happened when I was growing up in Portland in the 80's, a woman who was reading in bed was shot in the head by someone who had an "accident" in the apartment across the parkiing lot. There are other examples of people getting killed or injured from "accidents". Too many.

So there's my sermon. Dry fire practice is very valuable when done correctly.

Just be sure you do it correctly.

[Rocko]

Dry firing is a MUST if you want to get proper trigger control down. You can catch yourself making those "little" mistakes that amount to huge mistakes down the road if not corrected.
wow...i kinda went off...
yes it is ok to dry fire your gun.

[JMB1911]

I dry fire my 1911s and Glocks. No harm in doing so. Dry fire away and master your trigger control.

[DrjonesUSA]

Depends on the gun.

Most modern defense-type handguns can be dry fired all day (and night) long without a snap cap without damaging the gun.

What gun are you dryfiring on?

1911s and most rimfires are a different story. (Though, I dryfire my 1911s too).

This is correct EXCEPT that modern 1911s ARE OK to dry fire.

I guess a snap cap couldn't hurt if you dry fire THAT much.....cheap insurance.

[quickcf]

This is correct EXCEPT that modern 1911s ARE OK to dry fire.

I guess a snap cap couldn't hurt if you dry fire THAT much.....cheap insurance.

I agree that newer 1911s are OK to dry fire. The manual for my Kimber recommends racking the slide a few times and dry firing after cleaning in order to wipe off excess oil.