m&p 9mm. dry fire using empty casings?

[p5200]

I have been trying to insert empty casings to dry fire practice with but, they don't seem to go all the way into the chamber. so the slide doesn't go all the way forward so the trigger will cock. can this even be done if so how, or am I wasting my time? I plan to get some snap caps also. Thanks!

[handgunner356]

I would have no problem dry firing my M&Ps' without casings or snap caps, unlike any rimfire gun.

[p5200]

That's the way I was thinking but, searching the net I have seen some who said there have been broken strikers and other parts from dry firing. so I'm confused. Thanks!

[WaterburyBob]

A used case isn't going to do much good. Once the firing pin has hit the primer a few times, it's not really going to be contacting anything solid any more - the primer will just have a dent that the firing pin will fit into perfectly.

A snap cap is the way to go.

[p5200]

Originally Posted by WaterburyBob

A used case isn't going to do much good. Once the firing pin has hit the primer a few times, it's not really going to be contacting anything solid any more - the primer will just have a dent that the firing pin will fit into perfectly.

A snap cap is the way to go.

Well, that makes sense. Thanks!

[Spotteddog]

Take a cartridge, knock out the primer, replace it with a whittled down pencil eraser (some mechanical pencil erasers are very near the right size) use a file or a grinder to mow off the rim of the cartridge the width of the extractor claw. Be certain to index the filed cartridge when inserting, to keep the filed area positioned correctly.
That way, you can short stroke the slide to charge the striker, it won't drag the cartridge out of the chamber, and the F/P will fall on the eraser. JOMO?

[dannybot]

Why not just dry fire it? If it breaks, you have the lifetime warranty besides: FAQs - Smith & Wesson

[Spotteddog]

I guess because I like to give to any machine, treatment commensurate with it's level of importance?
And a machine that I may be using to ensure my survival, is quite likely to get treated better than a BIC lighter.
But, that's just me...

[MsDarla]

Smith Wesson service told me not to dry fire the MP when I called them a few years ago.

[Pardue10]

Snap caps are cheap or make your own. What if the striker failed when you were trying to shoot someone?

[p5200]

Originally Posted by Spotteddog

Take a cartridge, knock out the primer, replace it with a whittled down pencil eraser (some mechanical pencil erasers are very near the right size) use a file or a grinder to mow off the rim of the cartridge the width of the extractor claw. Be certain to index the filed cartridge when inserting, to keep the filed area positioned correctly.
That way, you can short stroke the slide to charge the striker, it won't drag the cartridge out of the chamber, and the F/P will fall on the eraser. JOMO?

I read on another forum about a fella who took an empty 12 gauge shotgun shell punched out the primer then, put silicone in to fill the primer hole for the pin to drop on. Do you think this might work on a 9mm casing as well?

[Kanewpadle]

Why are we discussing this?

Snap caps are inexpensive. Why take a chance? Go buy some and be done with it!

[p5200]

Originally Posted by Kanewpadle

Why are we discussing this?

Snap caps are inexpensive. Why take a chance? Go buy some and be done with it!

I've tried, but none local live in small town.

[Kanewpadle]

Originally Posted by p5200

I've tried, but none local live in small town.

Try Brownells or Midway.

A-ZOOM Action Proving Dummy, Snap Cap 9mm Luger Aluminum Package of 5 - MidwayUSA

[p5200]

Originally Posted by Kanewpadle

Try Brownells or Midway.

A-ZOOM Action Proving Dummy, Snap Cap 9mm Luger Aluminum Package of 5 - MidwayUSA

I plan to order a chamber hone for my shotgun from them soon so I will order some of those too! Thanks.

[Kanewpadle]

Good man!

Can never go wrong with snap caps.

[meh92]

Originally Posted by Kanewpadle

Why are we discussing this?

Snap caps are inexpensive. Why take a chance? Go buy some and be done with it!

+1. I use A-Zoom Caps and I really like them. Good choice.

I've used the shotgun chamber hone many times and I think it works quite well. Make sure to follow the instructions and keep the tool well oiled. Also, when you're done there will be a slurry of fine metal grindings and oil inside your chamber. THOROUGHLY clean out every last trace of the metal grindings or you will set yourself up for rust. I scrub and rinse the barrel with mineral spirits and brake cleaner afterwards at least twice. Then I treat the fresh metal with Shooter's Choice Rust Prevent. I've done this to about 35 shotguns that live outdoors in cars (PD guns) and it has not caused any problems with corrosion. Good luck.

[p5200]

Originally Posted by meh92

+1. I use A-Zoom Caps and I really like them. Good choice.

I've used the shotgun chamber hone many times and I think it works quite well. Make sure to follow the instructions and keep the tool well oiled. Also, when you're done there will be a slurry of fine metal grindings and oil inside your chamber. THOROUGHLY clean out every last trace of the metal grindings or you will set yourself up for rust. I scrub and rinse the barrel with mineral spirits and brake cleaner afterwards at least twice. Then I treat the fresh metal with Shooter's Choice Rust Prevent. I've done this to about 35 shotguns that live outdoors in cars (PD guns) and it has not caused any problems with corrosion. Good luck.

Thanks very much for the detailed directions. I have a can of Gun Scrubber will that be fine to rinse out with? Thanks Again!

[Kanewpadle]

For dry fire practice, after you unload your live ammo and magazines with live ammo put them out of reach. In another room, back in the gun safe etc....

Load your snap caps in an empty magazine and dry fire. When your done, your done. Load your live rounds and put the gun AWAY.

Interuptions during dry fire and having live ammo present have caused many negligent discharges. Be safe.

[Cruiser RN]

If you need to practice dry firing I would buy snap caps in the caliber of the firearm and use those as opposed to used cases.Just make sure that any live ammo is far away from the area where you dry fire.......

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by p5200

I have been trying to insert empty casings to dry fire practice with but, they don't seem to go all the way into the chamber. so the slide doesn't go all the way forward so the trigger will cock. can this even be done if so how, or am I wasting my time? I plan to get some snap caps also. Thanks!

Waste of time. Dry firing will not harm any quality centerfire pistol. Snap caps and such are an "ingenious solution to a non-existent problem."

[Kanewpadle]

Originally Posted by shawn mccarver

Waste of time. Dry firing will not harm any quality centerfire pistol. Snap caps and such are an "ingenious solution to a non-existent problem."

Is this your opinion? Or fact?

Educate us please.

[wheelgunnut]

1. Cases. Casings go around sausages.
2. Fact. Agree with Shawn. Shotguns and rimfires are another matter.
3. Get a revolver.

BILL SHANER #2148

[p5200]

Originally Posted by wheelgunnut

1. Cases. Casings go around sausages.
2. Fact. Agree with Shawn. Shotguns and rimfires are another matter.
3. Get a revolver.

BILL SHANER #2148

Some, rimfire rifles, such as my CZ rifles and my Remington model five can be dry fired it all depends whether the firing pin protrudes past the bolt face when in the closed position and, if the pin has a meaty stop. as far as the words cases and casings, sorry I'm not that educated with all the terms.

[7shooter]

Originally Posted by shawn mccarver

Waste of time. Dry firing will not harm any quality centerfire pistol. Snap caps and such are an "ingenious solution to a non-existent problem."

A friend who is a former S&W employee and a S&W armorer told me not to dry fire my M&P 9 as it might break the striker. The manual says it's OK to dry fire. I called S&W and was told that " excessive " dry firing might break the striker. I had heard there was a new stronger striker but when I contacted the company at that time they said they had not heard about the new striker. I again called them last week and now they say there is a new improved striker so I ordered one.

[catcus-jack]

Dry firing will break the striker on an M&P.I have broken a few.Smith replaced the slide and so far no problems.But I have limited my dryfiring and keep 2 spare strikers on hand.Don't take my word for it check out the M&P forum.S+W has a new striker out that is supposed to solve the problem.

[rvn6768]

I was dry fireing my M&P357 and the striker assembly broke. I contacted S&W and they sent me the new assembly, they also advised not to dry fire any of the M&P series of semi autos.

[p5200]

I ordered some 9mmL snap caps for my m&p9. since then, I got a used Sigma .40 I need snap caps for. I wish I would have waited a little longer and I wouldn't have had to pay shipping twice.

[GKC]

For those recommending snap caps in a semi, how do you use them...do you load a snap cap into the chamber, "dry fire", rack the slide back until it locks, and then place the "ejected" snap cap back in the pipe and release the slide to fire again...or do you load a magazine with snap caps and, after firing, rack the slide and release it to chamber another "round", retrieving the ejected caps later?

[JLR09]

I load the magazine with the snap caps then load it, pull the slide back and pull the trigger. You still have to rack the slide each time, then pick up the ejected snap caps, reload and repeat.

[rock doc]

Once a snap cap is chambered & fired, you only need to rack the slide about a half inch to cock & repeat firing without ejecting it.

[p5200]

Originally Posted by rock doc

Once a snap cap is chambered & fired, you only need to rack the slide about a half inch to cock & repeat firing without ejecting it.

That's how I've been using mine since they arrived by just pulling the slide back a little. I like the feel much better when striking the snap cap vs. an empty chamber also.

[carrya1911]

Originally Posted by shawn mccarver

Waste of time. Dry firing will not harm any quality centerfire pistol. Snap caps and such are an "ingenious solution to a non-existent problem."

With all due respect, I must disagree.

To quote no less an authority on this than Ken Hackathorn, "Dryfire breaks guns."

Too much dryfire will eventually cause problems on any firearm as folks who have done lots of dryfire or folks who have worked for gun companies in support positions will tell you. The occasional dryfire is, generally speaking, no big deal, but dedicated dryfire training will eventually break something. On the M&P's the "something" that breaks is generally the striker. I've broken a striker personally and I know other guys who have broken quite a few of them...mostly because they refused to dryfire with snap caps on the older generation strikers. (I think S&W is up to 3 generations of strikers now, the latest being stainless steel)

Good snap caps like the AZooms are cheap insurance, in my opinion. If someone is doing dedicated dryfire practice then they should be using snap caps.