My latest .22

[raveneap]

This past Monday I ordered a new S&W Model 63-4. Wednesday my lgs called to say it was in. Here it is, ready for its frst outing this coming Sunday, weather permitting. (Forecast is for SNOW showers possible on Monday.) Date code on box indicates it's just 10 days old.

[pawn]

nice looking revolver, enjoy your pistol

[quarksrealm]

Nice! Don't dryfire or it'll end up looking like this.

[raveneap]

Took it out as planned and it was great. Smooth, accurate and fun. Can't ask for more. Got some Hogue cocobolo's coming for it and a DS-J8 speedloader & block.

[red14]

Originally Posted by raveneap

Took it out as planned and it was great. Smooth, accurate and fun. Can't ask for more. Got some Hogue cocobolo's coming for it and a DS-J8 speedloader & block.

I have one that looks just like it, love it, great balance.

[dianalv]

Hey, nice gun! I love my S&W's.

Why would dry firing a revolver effect the cylinder, Quarksrealm? Why would it effect anything but the firing pin, if that? I've been told by professional shooters to dry fire at will to build shooting skills, that it won't damage the gun. And these are people who have dry fired their guns thousands of times a day for years on end practicing for competitions and who are considered "experts".

[Teejay9]

Nice looking revolver. I'd put some nice wood grips on it if it were mine. TJ

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by dianalv

Why would dry firing a revolver effect the cylinder, Quarksrealm? Why would it effect anything but the firing pin, if that? I've been told by professional shooters to dry fire at will to build shooting skills, that it won't damage the gun. And these are people who have dry fired their guns thousands of times a day for years on end practicing for competitions and who are considered "experts".

On a centerfire gun, dry firing will usually do nothing. The firing pin will fall harmlessly in the middle of the empty chamber. (There are some notable exceptions to this, but I can't remember any off hand. Maybe the CZ-52?)

In a rimfire gun, on the other hand, the firing pin is designed to hit on the rim of the cartridge to crush it and thereby ignite the primer. This means that the firing pin will not fall harmlessly on empty space but will instead strike metal and leave little burrs like those shown in Quarksrealm's picture.

Good question.

[quarksrealm]

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

On a centerfire gun, dry firing will usually do nothing. The firing pin will fall harmlessly in the middle of the empty chamber. (There are some notable exceptions to this, but I can't remember any off hand. Maybe the CZ-52?)

In a rimfire gun, on the other hand, the firing pin is designed to hit on the rim of the cartridge to crush it and thereby ignite the primer. This means that the firing pin will not fall harmlessly on empty space but will instead strike metal and leave little burrs like those shown in Quarksrealm's picture.

Good question.

Thank You for answering that question.

I did go and have this revolver repaired and the problem with getting the gun loaded no longer exists. When the gunsmith handed me the gun back his exact words were " Try not to dry fire it anymore, Don't know if it will be able to be repaired again".

Go ahead and dry fire your rimfire revolver if you need to practice, just keep it loaded with EMPTY casing's. This way the firing pin hits the casing and not the metal. His words, not mine.

[dianalv]

Good to know. Thanks for answering the question. Not having a rimfire revolver, I wasn't aware of that, but as I plan to get one, I'm glad I learned!

[Teejay9]

Originally Posted by quarksrealm

Thank You for answering that question.

I did go and have this revolver repaired and the problem with getting the gun loaded no longer exists. When the gunsmith handed me the gun back his exact words were " Try not to dry fire it anymore, Don't know if it will be able to be repaired again".

Go ahead and dry fire your rimfire revolver if you need to practice, just keep it loaded with EMPTY casing's. This way the firing pin hits the casing and not the metal. His words, not mine.

That looks like an H&R revolver, what model? I have one, but it's a .38 S&W so I don't have that problem. My S&W mod. 18 doesn't do that, but I keep my thumb on the hammer so it doesn't hit. No problem with my Rugers. TJ

[quarksrealm]

Originally Posted by Teejay9

That looks like an H&R revolver, what model? I have one, but it's a .38 S&W so I don't have that problem. My S&W mod. 18 doesn't do that, but I keep my thumb on the hammer so it doesn't hit. No problem with my Rugers. TJ

It"s an Ivers Johnson 22lr 9 round supershot. Made beteween 1929-49. Seen its day, but i like it.

[UncleFudd]

Hey guys;
That warning goes for ALL rimfire firearms, as the same will happen whether it be rifle or pistol or revolver.
Do not dry fire "rimfires" period.
I had a fellow bring in his Beretta flip-top model that was so bad it would not fire most of the time as the gouges had become so deep the firing pin could no longer strike the rim to ignite the primer.

Good topic and hopefully it will prevent the damage to another gun.

UF

[Teejay9]

I'll take your advice, Uncle Fud. I don't dry fire as a habit anyway, but this just reinforces my belief. Thanks TJ

[johnmpeters]

Beautiful new revolver! Are you planing on scoping it?

[raveneap]

Originally Posted by johnmpeters

Beautiful new revolver! Are you planing on scoping it?

Thanks. Not at this time. Just plan on plinking for a while to get it broken in - then we'll see.

[marcodelat]

A newborn!

Sweet...

Bet all the women in this forum will all agree with me when I say that it is one beautiful baby... and that it needs cuddling and care.

Bet all the men here would just take it out to party at the range ASAP!