So on the internet, it seems that dry fire practice with handguns is VERY common. However, you do come across people claiming it can damage a gun. North Sylvia claims you can't dry fire or use snap cap on some of their imported handguns. Is there anywhere on the internet that dives into the mechanics and discusses the issues?
Experts discussing Benefits and Risks of Dry fire
- Thread starter Andronicus
- Start date
IIRC Yankee Marshall on Youtube had issues with one of the compact Sigs breaking firing pins during dryfire. The 365 something something maybe?
For that one I think it was due to the size of the pistol - small pistol requires small parts, which are more prone to breaking. From what I've seen, the general rule is Dryfire is fine, but there are examples where it is not a good idea, and anything old or expensive that will be hard to find parts for is probably best left alone.
For that one I think it was due to the size of the pistol - small pistol requires small parts, which are more prone to breaking. From what I've seen, the general rule is Dryfire is fine, but there are examples where it is not a good idea, and anything old or expensive that will be hard to find parts for is probably best left alone.
Last edited:
MangledMoose
Member
- Location
- Edmonton Alberta Canada
If your guns breaks in dryfire its going to break during live fire
Not necessarily true. The firing pin is stopped by the primer when you fire live ammo. If you're dry-firing, then the firing pin is stopped by the shoulder on the firing pin. Snap caps are supposed to work as a substitute for the primer in live ammo, but depending on the design they can wear out.
I once broke a cylinder stop in an old S&W K frame Victory from dry firing. Can't say it does a lot of good for revolvers in general as there are a lot of moving parts that will needlessly wear out. I almost never dry fire my antiques. Hard to find parts for them sometimes. As for autos I never had much problem. Replaced a Glock 17 firing pin after it started having misfires but that was after 100K and probably was hard CCI primers anyway.
Cheers
Moe
Cheers
Moe
It’s risky with 22 rimfire, though there are a few exceptions (like the Ruger 10/22).
Our hobby is prone to believing old wives tales, myths, and misunderstandings about what is really going on in the gun.
For example “black powder is only ever measured by volume, measuring by weight is dangerous” - this likely comes from the more field expedient volume measurement method as it’s difficult to bring a mechanical scale out with you into the bush. However, over the years the original and valid “best practice” reasons have been lost and now “yer ####’ll fall off” if you measure black powder charges by weight.
Our hobby is prone to believing old wives tales, myths, and misunderstandings about what is really going on in the gun.
For example “black powder is only ever measured by volume, measuring by weight is dangerous” - this likely comes from the more field expedient volume measurement method as it’s difficult to bring a mechanical scale out with you into the bush. However, over the years the original and valid “best practice” reasons have been lost and now “yer ####’ll fall off” if you measure black powder charges by weight.
TragicallyHipGrandpa
Regular
- Location
- Chatham-Kent ON, AKA Florida North
I was thinking the very same thing when this thread started, so I checked a couple of my S&W revolver owners manuals (686 and 327). One gun is brand new and the other is 2 yrs old and neither manual mentions anything about dry firing. I was actually surprised.
On the other hand, reading a S&W technical specs manual does indicate that dry firing modern S&W centerfire revolvers is A-OK. And of course, Mr. S&W himself Jerry Miculek has dry fired his pieces like a bazillion times and he says no problemo.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'd be curious to know the difference in impact/force between the hammer hitting the firing pin (in dry firing) VS the shock for the bolt cycling with live firing?
My indoor range in Ontario has been closed for 3 1/2 months. It opens on Monday of next week.
Dryfire doesn't cost anything. Dryfire doesn't require going anywhere. Lots of people practice their dryfire while doing other things - watching TV or a Movie for instance. There is no recoil when dryfiring, so you can focus on the your trigger discipline.
There are plenty of reasons to dry fire. Just like there are plenty of reasons to pull out... I've got 3 of them running around the house right now...
Practice. I used dry fire practice for years. It definitely improve your skills, accuracy, gun control, target acquisition, speeds up overall gun handling, builds muscle memory. It would be beneficial not only for competitive shooter.
Last edited:
billbmcleod
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Back very close to Bruce County
A friend and True Blue S&W fan told me once that Misters Smith and Wesson said they never made a revolver that could not be dry fired and he lived by that I think. Maybe not with an old or rare one though.
Bill
I have heard that guns with hammer-mounted firing pins can be damaged by dryfiring. That said my revolver knowledge is quite limited so maybe its only certain guns or maybe its a myth. I dunno.
I have seen quite a few 22 revolvers damaged by would be gunslingers, A German brand comes to mind .
a 9mm semi auto , the spring is the stop, so it is hard on the spring .
Hi Standard 22 semi auto is the same, but those are 22 rimfires.
A primer is like a shock on a car, softens the blow.
a 9mm semi auto , the spring is the stop, so it is hard on the spring .
Hi Standard 22 semi auto is the same, but those are 22 rimfires.
A primer is like a shock on a car, softens the blow.
