Dropping the slide on an empty chamber

[Anaconda]

I am the new owner of a .40 pro series. So I've read through the owner's manual and there is no mention of dropping the slide on an empty chamber or even dry firing. What is the verdict?

In my CZ 75 SP 01 Tactical owner's manual, dropping on an empty chamber is part of their recommended "clearing" instructions. What's S&W's take?

My question: I've done this about a dozen times total. What could I have affected?

Thanks

[Arik]

Occasionally won't do anything but generally not recommended. However you'll get varied replied. On the one had may people practice dry firing striker guns without snap caps and without issue. While others will point to other guns and the problems it may have caused.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[BigBill]

The only damage that happens if we load the first round in the chamber by hand on some pistols the extractor can get detuned.(1911's) I'm not sure of the others. I play it safe and chamber from the mag only. The extractor forces itself over the case rim if we load the first round by hand and let the slide slam shut over it.

[Bonephish]

Originally Posted by BigBill

The only damage that happens if we load the first round in the chamber by hand on some pistols the extractor can get detuned.(1911's) I'm not sure of the others. I play it safe and chamber from the mag only. The extractor forces itself over the case rim if we load the first round by hand and let the slide slam shut over it.

^Always load the first round from the magazine. Occasional dry-firing a center-fire pistol doesn't hurt anything, but I use snap caps for extended test dry-firing.

[Ranger17]

I am sure i've seen this here before but couldnt find it so this is from the S&W faq page if that helps any:

"Can I dry fire my S&W handgun?
Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?

A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41"

[growr]

USPSA/IDPA competitors do this at the end of every stage....

"If you are finished unload and show clear" Slide forward, hammer down (dry fire it to prove that there is no round in the chamber), Holster"

Doesn't harm a thing...........

Randy

[MichiganScott]

I dry fire on a regular basis, but ride the slide forward. It send shivers up my spine if I just drop the slide. I shot 1911's too long to do otherwise.

[martybee]

I agree with Scott. I always ride the slide on an empty chamber! Why cause extra wear & tear if you don't have too?

mb

[Rastoff]

What extra wear and tear will it cause? None.

Modern firearms can be dry fired without danger or damage. I do a lot of dry practice. At least 10:1 with 10 dry presses to every live round. I have over 30,000 dry presses on my M&P45 and over 100,000 on two 1911s. No damage on any of them.

About dropping the slide, I'd like to see evidence of damage if anyone says it will damage the gun.

[martybee]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

What extra wear and tear will it cause? None.
About dropping the slide, I'd like to see evidence of damage if anyone says it will damage the gun.

I guess it probably is more of an opinionated subject than an issue, so I am of the opinion that if it does not need undue force to close the slide, why do it? I can't see how slamming a slide shut without chambering a round, could be beneficial
to the longevity of a firearm. Common sense tells me the impact from the inertia and heavy metal, slide, barrel, and associated parts, could be detrimental to the piece!
Here is a video I think everyone who is at odds with my opinion should watch.

YouTube

mb

[Pointblank2U]

The slide slams every time you fire the pistol. It's built for that. Too much internet hype, just like I read you aren't supposed to dry fire S&W revolvers. Since when? That was how we trained back in the 70s and 80s and we also strengthened our hands that way.

[Comrad]

As a layman I have to wonder what's worse, dropping the slide or the violent explosion that occurs each and every time the weapon is fired.

[McE]

Don't ever drop the slide on a gun under any circumstance. These are delicate tools meant to be babied. Don't even load them up with violently explosive ammunition as some daredevils seem to do. But those crazy people are just begging for wear on their guns.
Remove new gun from the box, admire, put it back in the box, put the box in your safe, and buy another one. Rinse and repeat. Avoids wear on your purchase. Although you'll wear down the hinges on your safe door, so I wouldn't recommend opening and closing it too much.

[Jim Mayberry]

The instruction manual that came with my nighthawk custom "warns the owner to never drop the slide on an empty chamber. Doing so can cause damage to your highly tuned trigger job." After reading this, I now follow this procedure with my other 1911 types.

[Magload]

I guess then the pistols that do not lock back on the last round are bad. If any of you have them are they showing excessive wear or damage? Doth it.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by martybee

I can't see how slamming a slide shut without chambering a round, could be beneficial to the longevity of a firearm.

Yes, using any device is detrimental to the longevity of it. It's not beneficial, but certainly not any more detrimental than firing the gun.

So, I ask again, can you show me a gun that was damaged by doing this?

[Pointblank2U]

Originally Posted by Jim Mayberry

The instruction manual that came with my nighthawk custom "warns the owner to never drop the slide on an empty chamber. Doing so can cause damage to your highly tuned trigger job." After reading this, I now follow this procedure with my other 1911 types.

I would not buy a Nighthawk Custom. Thanks for the warning.

[Bozz10mm]

If I could just get my wife to stop slamming the car doors so hard......

There's just no need for it. No need to slam the slide forward on an empty chamber either. Why do it? Check out the video above that Martybee posted. Makes sense to me.

[Magload]

But I like the sound it makes.

[NYlakesider]

Originally Posted by Badge130

The slide slams every time you fire the pistol. It's built for that. Too much internet hype, just like I read you aren't supposed to dry fire S&W revolvers. Since when? That was how we trained back in the 70s and 80s and we also strengthened our hands that way.

Your forgetting the BRASS CASE that is in there that takes up some of the force when the slide goes home.

Been shooting 1911s since early 70s and I do my best to avoid the slide slamming forward in empty mode! Force of habit I will do that with any auto loader I get my hands on!

[kstud]

Personally I do the following with my firearms:

- I always ride the slide regardless of situations. During range session...I shoot with my dominant right hand while placing my left hand on the slide to lessen the slide slam from firing rounds.

- I never dry fire because it may cause damage, instead I hone my skills by firing hundreds/thousands of dollars of ammo.

- I take hours to clean my firearm with the utmost care and use the best lubrication money can buy...beaver anus oil.

- To finish it off, I wipe excess dirt and oil with a wipe made from endangered panda fur so as to not damage the finish.

- After cleaning, I chamber 1 round and load my 17 round mag with only 1 round as to protect the mag spring from wear and tear.

When I have that spider tingling sense...instead of going for the firearm and risk scratching and damaging it, I grab a wooden stick.

[OKFC05]

As a official in action pistol matches, I have run into some "experts" who refuse to drop the slide and snap the trigger on their semi autos, and want to lecture me as to why their guns will be damaged.
I simply disqualify them and send them home with their delicate museum pieces, suggesting they buy an M&P, Glock, or STI and come back to join the fun. I never argue with someone who does not want to use a special gun in competition.

I've seen thousands of competitors go through the clearing drill with 1911s, 2011s, Glocks, M&Ps, XDs, and a dozen other brands/types, up to 60,000 rounds a year with top competitors.
Have also seen about every kind of (rare) failure imaginable during shooting, including an Open Division slide break in half and hit the competitor in the face. Shoot a lot of guns enough, and something is going to break.

But worry about damaging an M&P .40 by closing the slide or dry firing it? Oh please!
Go shoot it several tens of thousands of times and burn up $10,000 worth of ammo. I did, and have broken one striker tip. Only $25 to keep a spare striker on hand, if you don't want to wait for S&W to fix it free.
Oh, I did have another failure on a different gun used as a loaner with high round count and many shooters: the trigger return spring (same on all current SW/SD/M&P full size).

Wish I could buy a truck as rugged and maintenance-free as my M&Ps----and how about that lifetime warranty!!