Dry Fire - The Firearms Forum

Poppypaul · 12-18-2011, 09:57 AM

I am relatively new to the forum and to shooting. I have been wondering if it is "proper" to dry fire a firearm. I have read various times that you should not dry fire someone elses firearm unless they specifically tell you that it is OK to do so. Is there a technical functional reason to not dry fire? Does it harm the firearm in any way? I am certainly far from an expert in the inner workings of a firearm but it seems that when a firearm is dry fired it is not doing anything it was not designed to do. In fact it seems that there is less resistance to the operation than when there is a cartridge being discharged. Can someone enlighten me on this?

Bigdog57 · 12-18-2011, 11:10 AM

It very much depends upon the particular gun. Rimfires are generally a no-no, due to the firing pin sometimes being able to put a ding in the chamber mouth, that can cause feeding jams.
Most centerfire guns, it really is of little consequence. We were cautioned to NOT do this with the Czech CZ52 pistol, as it could lead to firing pin breakage.
Best to use 'snap caps' or an EMPTY brass case.

Grizz · 12-18-2011, 11:14 AM

Thanks for clearing that up. I was wondering too

armedandsafe · 12-18-2011, 08:35 PM

If in doubt, use a snap cap. Most arms will tell you in their manual whether you can safely dry fire.

Dry firing is the second best way to become proficient with your gun. It is quite a bit cheaper than live fire, but is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for practice with live ammunition. Both should be used to become really comfortable and proficient.

Pops

HunterAlpha1 · 12-18-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armedandsafe

If in doubt, use a snap cap. Most arms will tell you in their manual whether you can safely dry fire.

Dry firing is the second best way to become proficient with your gun. It is quite a bit cheaper than live fire, but is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for practice with live ammunition. Both should be used to become really comfortable and proficient.

Pops

during, before, and after the Napoleonic wars the British army had the best infantry in the world because they were the only army that practiced and drilled with live ammunition. they could put out more rounds a minute than anyone else, but more importantly, they were able to stand firm despite comrades being shot all around them because they were used to the sounds of gunfire.

reynolds357 · 12-18-2011, 09:55 PM

Oddly enough, CZ pistols still come with snap caps from the factory.

coachwill · 12-19-2011, 08:38 AM

I dry fire my long rifles at least once a week about 5-10 times before I put a live round down range. I honestly feel that it helps me get in the groove before pulling the trigger during deer season. Also it helps me get a feel for the break in the trigger and I can tell if I am pulling off my aim point with my trigger pull for any reason.

With my pistol I do the same thing again just to see if I need to adjust my pull any. It helps with muscle memory.

Double Deuce · 12-19-2011, 09:21 AM

I dry fire my guns as well, I dont do it alot and it has not caused any issues, if you want ot play it safe get the snap caps.

howlnmad · 12-19-2011, 11:40 AM

I use old brass that the primer pockets have been filled with silicone. It's cheaper tgan snap caps.

mogunner · 12-19-2011, 11:51 PM

My SW40VE has to be fired, or dry-fired in order to remove the slide, so I tend to believe that they designed it to be fine in doing that. As some have said, not a good idea to do rimfires, Better safe than sorry, some expended brass or snap caps certainly won't hurt the firearm and might extend it's service.

grumpy66 · 12-20-2011, 10:07 AM

I dry-fire all the time. It helps me maintain a smooth trigger pull.

Ruger 10/22's are designed to be dry-fired, the firing pin will not contact the breach face.

Glocks must be dry-fired for disassembly.

DO NOT dry-fire "cap-and-ball" black powder arms, it will mushroom the nipples.

12-18-2011, 09:57 AM	#1
Poppypaul V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: CT Posts: 100	Dry Fire I am relatively new to the forum and to shooting. I have been wondering if it is "proper" to dry fire a firearm. I have read various times that you should not dry fire someone elses firearm unless they specifically tell you that it is OK to do so. Is there a technical functional reason to not dry fire? Does it harm the firearm in any way? I am certainly far from an expert in the inner workings of a firearm but it seems that when a firearm is dry fired it is not doing anything it was not designed to do. In fact it seems that there is less resistance to the operation than when there is a cartridge being discharged. Can someone enlighten me on this? -->

12-18-2011, 11:10 AM	#2
Bigdog57 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North Florida Posts: 104	Re: Dry Fire It very much depends upon the particular gun. Rimfires are generally a no-no, due to the firing pin sometimes being able to put a ding in the chamber mouth, that can cause feeding jams. Most centerfire guns, it really is of little consequence. We were cautioned to NOT do this with the Czech CZ52 pistol, as it could lead to firing pin breakage. Best to use 'snap caps' or an EMPTY brass case. __________________ It's getting high time to play "Cowboys & Muslims". They will learn how Jihad can go both ways.......

12-18-2011, 11:14 AM	#3
Grizz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 651	Re: Dry Fire Thanks for clearing that up. I was wondering too

12-18-2011, 08:35 PM	#4
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Dry Fire If in doubt, use a snap cap. Most arms will tell you in their manual whether you can safely dry fire. Dry firing is the second best way to become proficient with your gun. It is quite a bit cheaper than live fire, but is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for practice with live ammunition. Both should be used to become really comfortable and proficient. Pops

12-18-2011, 09:55 PM	#6
reynolds357 Former Guest Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 707	Re: Dry Fire Oddly enough, CZ pistols still come with snap caps from the factory.

12-19-2011, 08:38 AM	#7
coachwill Forum Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Vestavia, AL Posts: 122	Re: Dry Fire I dry fire my long rifles at least once a week about 5-10 times before I put a live round down range. I honestly feel that it helps me get in the groove before pulling the trigger during deer season. Also it helps me get a feel for the break in the trigger and I can tell if I am pulling off my aim point with my trigger pull for any reason. With my pistol I do the same thing again just to see if I need to adjust my pull any. It helps with muscle memory.

12-19-2011, 09:21 AM	#8
Double Deuce V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 313	Re: Dry Fire I dry fire my guns as well, I dont do it alot and it has not caused any issues, if you want ot play it safe get the snap caps.

12-19-2011, 11:40 AM	#9
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,566	Re: Dry Fire I use old brass that the primer pockets have been filled with silicone. It's cheaper tgan snap caps. __________________

12-19-2011, 11:51 PM	#10
mogunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Eastern Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: Dry Fire My SW40VE has to be fired, or dry-fired in order to remove the slide, so I tend to believe that they designed it to be fine in doing that. As some have said, not a good idea to do rimfires, Better safe than sorry, some expended brass or snap caps certainly won't hurt the firearm and might extend it's service.

12-20-2011, 10:07 AM	#11
grumpy66 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 32	Re: Dry Fire I dry-fire all the time. It helps me maintain a smooth trigger pull. Ruger 10/22's are designed to be dry-fired, the firing pin will not contact the breach face. Glocks must be dry-fired for disassembly. DO NOT dry-fire "cap-and-ball" black powder arms, it will mushroom the nipples.