Dry Fire a shotgun

Once in a while may not hurt, however, regularly causing the firing pins to strike empty chambers can only result in damage. A-Zoom or better quality snap caps recommended should you practise frequent dry firing.
 
It depends on the design of the individual gun, but generally not a good idea. The sound of the firing pin tip careening down the barrel is something you want to avoid. While guns with in - line strikers (such as the 870) can take a lot of dry firing, designs with tumblers and pins cannot. Almost none are made to the standards of a military rifle. Double guns should never be dry fired, IMHO. (Perhaps the Browning Cynergy is an exception?) The gauge is irrelevant. Snap caps are your friend.

Sharptail
 
Workin Man said:
Mossberg pump guns #### on opening (not sure of others like 870). If you leave the action open, you are leaving the firing pin spring compressed. I'd sooner close the action and dry fire it than leave it cocked.
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I'v always wondered about that. Some people say its hard on the springs and some say they have never seen it cause any problems, even over spans of 30-40 years or more.

Anyone else have any opinions on the matter?. Most firearms will not allow you to engage the saftey when not cocked.
 
"...strike empty chambers can only result in damage..." No it won't. A shotgun is a centre fire. Dry firing any centre fire won't bother it a bit.
 
Spitzer said:
I broke my firing pin in my Rem 870 Wingmaster by dry firing. I don't recommend it, get some snap caps..
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Same thing happened to my buddy's 870 Wingmaster one time when I was at his place. He was dry firing it repetitively, practicing shouldering. After that, I started doing the following:

After cleaning my 870, I slide a thick 12 bore barrell swab behind the breech block (there is lots of play in the breech block when the barrell is off and the block is in the forward position) to act as a cushion between the hammer and the rear of the firing pin. I then pull the trigger and remove the swab. The barrel is put back on with the breechblock in the forward position. The gun is then put away un-cocked. I use the swab because its handy in my cleaning kit, but I'm sure something else (like a rubber eraser) would work fine as well.

Ninepointer
 
sunray said:
"...strike empty chambers can only result in damage..." No it won't. A shotgun is a centre fire. Dry firing any centre fire won't bother it a bit.
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Sunray, it is incorrect to make a blanket statement that all centre fire guns can be safely dry fired. In designs such as the Anson and Deeley boxlocks, 5 and 7 pin sidelocks and hammer guns, the firing pin is meant to be used in compression. Dry firing puts the forces in extension, and there is little or nothing to retain them. Repeated dry firing will, at some point, break the nose off of the pin.

Sharptail
 
Sharptail said:
Sunray, it is incorrect to make a blanket statement that all centre fire guns can be safely dry fired. In designs such as the Anson and Deeley boxlocks, 5 and 7 pin sidelocks and hammer guns, the firing pin is meant to be used in compression. Dry firing puts the forces in extension, and there is little or nothing to retain them. Repeated dry firing will, at some point, break the nose off of the pin.

Sharptail
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Another example would be my CZ-52. All CZ-52s were made with sheet steel for the firing pins or something. They are notorious for snapping on even the first time it is dry fired. Really scary. I am super careful to not dry fire it (LOVE dry firing!) but it still dry fires once in a while when the round count escapes me or someone who's using it. So far so good...but its the one major problem with all CZ-52's.
For anyone wondering, you can buy aftermarket firing pins if you have a broken one. They use better steel and it won't ever break. :onCrack:
 
I noticed that on my 500, the bolt face corner is peening against the end of the barrel when snapped shut without a round/snapcap in the chamber. I also recommand the snapcaps to practice your reloads.
 
this topis is all over the place. did you do a search first before posting your question? if you did, you'd notice that everyone says either it's 'ok' to dry fire, or it 'is NOT' ok to dry fire... wo which is it?
i thought i posted something here, but a quick search couldn't find it. but i've been a part of this discussion (must have been PM) and everyone said it was OK to dry fire my shotgun. in fact, i was told it's ok to dry fire ALL center fire guns... (well, most anyways).
including shotguns, rifles, handguns, revolvers... and not only did people here tell me this, but the owner/ employees at a very reputable local Vancouver gun shop, as well :rolleyes:

so i guess it's ok. besides, what's the big deal in replacing a firing pin anyways...:p
 
Instead of buying snap caps, why not just pick up a few shell hulls off the ground when your done shooting and use them?
 
Ren said:
Instead of buying snap caps, why not just pick up a few shell hulls off the ground when your done shooting and use them?
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that is a good idea BUT -make sure you know which one it is. Paint it hotpink or lime green or whioatever and/or cut off half the plastic so you know which is the dummy round - otherwise the practice is an accident waiitng to happen.

something else you can do is decap the primer and glue a chunk of eraser in the pocket
 
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