Hi Folks:

I just recently purchased a 642 hammerless revolver and really like it, however, I noticed that when I dry fire it the firing pin shoots out about 1/2" from the frame and then quickly returns. You have to watch is several times to see it. I looked at my model 637 and 36 and neither of them do anything like the 642.

Question is this normal for the 642 and can dry firing this revolver cause any harm?

Thanks,
Ron

Josey Wales: When I get to likin' someone, they ain't around long.
Lone Watie: I notice when you get to DISlikin' someone they ain't around for long neither.

While picking up an old S&W M&P at the gun smith last week, I asked this same question about my wife's new 642 and my 442. He said while dry firing shouldn't cause any damage unless done "a whole hell of a lot", he still recommended using snap caps.

From smith-wesson.com, FAQs page.

Happy shooting!

In my younger years I just fired away without any snap caps and never did a bit of damage to a number of S&Ws that I owned. However, now in my old age, I'm rethinking things and doing a lot more dry firing so, JUST IN CASE, I have started using snap caps in all my guns when I dry fire.

Seeing the firing pin protrude with the trigger fully pulled is normal. There have been several threads regarding the use of snap-caps (I think the favorite was the A-Zoom?), and using them does no harm and helps cushion the hammer's impact on the frame.

I think whether you use them depends on how often you plan to dry-fire. 1-2 times per month, no; 1-2 times per second for the next month, yes . Hope this is helpful.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220