dry fireing shotguns

the silicone thing works.
urethane, however, is more durable, bonds better and gives a bit more cushion for the firing pin.

the problem with the brass snap caps is that the brass will eventually flow away from the firing pin area as well as work-harden, so i dont think the brass ones are ideal.
 
I used to dry fire guns sometimes to let off the pressure on the springs until I dry fired a Zoli single shot 12 gauge one day and the end of the firing pin broke off and came out of the end of barrel. Now I always use snap caps (that I make myself) or release the pressure some other way.
 
How is it not a good Idea, I am a Millwright by trade, and through experience, I have only seen exhausted springs by either over compression and or over extension. This leads me to believe that when proper springs are designed for the amount of pressure needed to hold back and or push a firing pin forward this does not put that spring in either an over compression or over extension state.

Therefore in all honesty normal use will wear a spring out just as fast as leaving your trigger in the cocked position as the spring is not over compressed.
 
Claybuster said:
In some older shotguns the firing pins are not spring loaded so they can break if dry-fired.

I dry fire my pump and semi but use snap caps for my o/u and sxs.
Click to expand...

I had/have an old russian 410 with a broken fiting pin. I keep it around to remind myself not to dry fire anything. It's just easier that way
 
Winchested said:
How is it not a good Idea, I am a Millwright by trade, and through experience, I have only seen exhausted springs by either over compression and or over extension. This leads me to believe that when proper springs are designed for the amount of pressure needed to hold back and or push a firing pin forward this does not put that spring in either an over compression or over extension state.

Therefore in all honesty normal use will wear a spring out just as fast as leaving your trigger in the cocked position as the spring is not over compressed.
Click to expand...

If the only choice is to leave it cocked or dry fire, I agree - leave it cocked. However, leaving any metal under strain for extended periods will result in creep and a memory effect. I can't honestly say I've seen springs that broke due to being left under load for months or years, but I've definitely seen springs that have weakened for that reason.

All my guns are cared for in a way that reflects my expectation that they will be in great condition generations after I'm gone and buried. I like to get to know the actions on my guns and how to decock them safely, if possible. If not, snap caps are my friend.:)
 
4 of the 5 shotguns that I use for Cowboy Action are between 54 and 106 years old, the parts are old. I like to store my 2 doubles with snap caps installed. Less chance of damaging parts by dry firing.
 
From what I've heard, some of the older guns. Not just shot guns would snap firing pins. I'm sure this doesn't happen with newer guns. Use snap caps when in doubt.

Certain rimfire are able to be dry fired. It's not good in most cases though.
 
it may not hurt your gun but it is a very bad habit and should be avoided for safty reasons .rule number i is treat every gun as if it were loaded .there is realy no need to dry fire any gun for any reason i have worked in a gun shop for many years and seeen all kinds of things .it only takes once for a gun to go bang when it should HAVE WHENT CLICK DUTCH
 
dutchhunter said:
it may not hurt your gun but it is a very bad habit and should be avoided for safty reasons .rule number i is treat every gun as if it were loaded .there is realy no need to dry fire any gun for any reason i have worked in a gun shop for many years and seeen all kinds of things .it only takes once for a gun to go bang when it should HAVE WHENT CLICK DUTCH
Click to expand...

I know a few trap shooters that practice shooting with wall charts and dry firing. There are legitimate reasons to dry fire.
 
wayde said:
Have seen firing pins break in Winchester M12 and Ithaca 37 no problem so far with Remington 870
Click to expand...
My Ithaca 37 has no trigger disconnect. When the gun is empty and slide is back, pull the trigger & slowly move the slide forward. You can feel the hammer slowly lower as the bolt goes past into the closed position... problem solved.
And no I rarely dry-fire my guns. If I cant lower the hammer / release the spring I'll chuck in an empty & snap it. I took a Marlin 57 .22 Mag out of action for 1.5 years dry firing and breaking the firing pin as a youth, Dad just said " too bad dum-dum". Took a while to find a pin for that gun. Cool gun that I couldn't use...lesson learned.
Personally; why take the chance? Throw in a Snap cap or even a fired hull; @ least you are minimizing the risk of damage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom