Dry Fire

[Awesome]

What do you guys think about dry firing a modern center fire weapon?

The wikipedia basically only warns that dry firing a rimfire weapon will cause damage. Or am I miss understanding it? The article makes me think it;s ok to dry fire center fire weapons to my heart's content.

I've always been taught not to dry fire but I never understood why.





Dry fire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dry firing is the practice of "firing" a firearm without ammunition. That is, to pull the trigger and allow the hammer or striker to drop on an empty chamber.

This technique is often used to simulate actual firing when there is not a suitable place to practice with live ammunition. The primary benefit of this practice is refined trigger control. For most common cartridges, there are snap caps available to reduce the risk of damaging the firing pin. It is generally acceptable to dry fire more modern centerfire firearms without a cartridge or snap cap. However, dry firing a shotgun or rimfire firearm can damage the firing pin. Furthermore, damage can occur to the chamber mouth of a rimfire firearm.

Dry firing may also refer to the firing of a bow or other weapon without ammunition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_fire

[slowz1k]

That;s a good question. Wish I knew the answer. I'm thinking that Bayou Blaster or Beebopcop should be along anytime to enlighten us.

When I was young I dry fired a compound bow once.... And I do mean once.:o
Some lessons are easily learned.

[Bryon]

That;s a good question. Wish I knew the answer. I'm thinking that Bayou Blaster or Beebopcop should be along anytime to enlighten us.

When I was young I dry fired a compound bow once.... And I do mean once.:o
Some lessons are easily learned.

I know what you mean!!:eek:

[TheLastMountainMan]

I've heard both, do not, or it doesn't hurt it. So, I just don't dry fire period.

[tony]

It depends on the weapon. I have one (LCP) that say's not to in the manual and another (XD40) that say's do it all you want. If you can't find the answer for your own gun then get snap caps to be safe. Some say it's no big deal either way, it's just a matter of getting a new firing pin if it breaks.

Tony

[cwconnertx]

Excluding rimfire, it is ok to dry fire just about any modern weapon. There are a few that should not be dry fires. Double shotguns and double rifles of some types.

Other than rimfire and those, it is ok.

If it makes you feel better put in a snap cap, but completely unnecessary.

I know someone is going to come after me and say not to do it, but it is fine.

[beebopcop]

Excluding rimfire, it is ok to dry fire just about any modern weapon. There are a few that should not be dry fires. Double shotguns and double rifles of some types.

Other than rimfire and those, it is ok.

If it makes you feel better put in a snap cap, but completely unnecessary.

I know someone is going to come after me and say not to do it, but it is fine.

Good advice from cwconnertx. I agree completely. If I have doubts I just use a spent cartridge. Again, I would say that 95% of modern firearms are safe to dry fire. Just for fun, here's an exercise. Stack about three dimes on the end of your barrel just behind the front sight (can only be done with flat top barrels, don't drive yourself crazy with a completely rounded barrel) and try to pull the trigger without spilling the dimes. Practice makes purfect.
bbc

[neverknow]

Bebopcop

This is totally off topic but is that your cat in you avatar cop? if so could i purchase him and you ship ups? Thanks:confused:

[slowz1k]

Thanks for the info!

I'm kind of weird about my firearms. I keep my Mossberg 12 handy for home defense. It always has a loaded tube minus one, empty chamber, with safety off. I tend to cycle my 12 ga every few weeks or so to rotate the shells. I'm paranoid that the spring pressure in the tube might make the shells bulge over time. After emptying the tube, I always dread the inevitable "dry fire" before reloading.

Anyway.... More information than you needed, thanks again.

ps
I never load my magazines to capacity for long term either.... save those springs!!!:o

[Dracos]

My CZ-75 came with snap caps. Maybe they know something thar I don't. So I use them when I dry fire it. Ruger says its OK to dry fire their guns with a transfer bar. I do a bit of gunsmithing and I cant see any harm in dry firing a .45 1911. One thing I have heard of, if you have your.45 field stripped don't dry fire it if the slide is not affixed to the frame. It could break the hammer.

[pathfinder3081]

This is totally off topic but is that your cat in you avatar cop? if so could i purchase him and you ship ups? Thanks:confused:

I agree, so many nice furry friends here. A nice fat cat like that?.. The pelts? Ohhhh... Very nice:cool:

[beebopcop]

This is totally off topic but is that your cat in you avatar cop? if so could i purchase him and you ship ups? Thanks:confused:

Yes, that is one of my cats and he sits like that fairly often to clean his belly.
His name is Sprocket because my wife found him as a kitten under a John Deere tractor while she was patrolling one night before I met her. He is one cool cat. And of course, NO, you can't have him. :D But, thanks for the admiration.
bbc

[beebopcop]

I agree, so many nice furry friends here. A nice fat cat like that?.. The pelts? Ohhhh... Very nice:cool:

OK pathfinder, they'll be no cat skinnen on my watch!!

[Bayou Blaster]

Spent Cases Not Recommended

Sorry I'm late chimming in on this subject. I was going to leave it alone as most of the issues concerning Dry Firing have been already covered. Some insights/observations/opinions:

Never Dry Fire Rimfires, as the firing pin will be damage/deformed as well as the chamber face of the barrel. Over time this will contribute to feeding/extraction/firing issues.

NEVER use Spent Shell Casings in place of Snap Caps; as the deformed/fired primer will NOT absorb the kenetic energy of the firing pin and hammer.

Recommend Snap Caps or the Plastic (Inert) cartridges with the hard rubber inserts in place of primer.

Centerfire Cartridges:
There are still indeed many a modern firearm that still should NOT be Dry Fired, without the use of Snap Caps. As the hammer of a firearm transfers it's energy to the firing pin it is then absorbed to a great degree by the primer. Without a primer or Snap Cap to absorb this energy, it is then translated along the length of the firing pin. Believe it or not, this has a tendency overtime to stretch or stress the firing pin; ultimately resulting in a Fatigue Failure and another malfunction.

I've seen this happen to both quality Handguns and Rifles from various
manufactures.

The Other Malfunction:
Additionally one thing that has not been covered is that all firing pins utilize a firing pin stop of some sort or another. This firing pin stop is, depending on the firearm, usally a combination of the Firing Pin and Frame, Slide or Bolt. If you Dry Fire without the use of Snap Caps, this firing pin stop will also deform over time contributing to punctured primers (NOT GOOD).

Regardless Of Manufacturer Claims:
Dry Firing without utilizing Snap Caps is like beating two hammers together (Not Smart), in the long run something is bound to give up/fail.

Dry Firing serves several purposes:
Helps break-in/smooth out many triggers.
Helps with practicing good trigger control (Maintain Accuracy Proficiency).
Helps with practicing maintaining point of aim while pulling trigger.
Helps analize point of aim deflection (gun movement) during rapid or slow fire practice drills (Double Action Firearms).

Hope this helps and sorry it got long winded.