The Dryfire Question

45doubletap · Jan 1, 2011

This is a question that's been asked quite a few times...I've always dryfired without snap caps. Recently I've started shoot more and dryfire practice ALOT! I whole lot. Anyway, are there really any benefits to snap caps? Just looking for some opinions. Thanks.

scooter123 · Jan 1, 2011

Try dry firing with a snap cap and then without. Do you hear that ringing when you dry fire without? That's the hammer hitting the frame of the gun. If you think that good for either the hammer or the frame, think again.

I always use snap caps for dry firing any of my center fire guns, they have a urethane cushion in the primer area that cushions the hit. I've also shot the rims off some of the snap caps in my model 67, so that primer hit does generate a fair amount of force.

Mr. Fahrenheit · Jan 2, 2011

I dry fire my semi-autos and my J frames a lot...without snap caps. The only thing I don't dry fire is my .22 rim fires.

Opinions will vary, but according to the S&W FAQ on their website:

FAQs - Smith & Wesson

"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.

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin."

500 Magnum Nut · Jan 2, 2011

On a revolver, your going to damage the guns if you over do it.
The timing will suffer, the cylinder stop, cylinder notches, hand/ratchets are going to wear. Your going to compress the firing pin spring (if equipted) and over time, your going to push that firing pin bushing out.

I fixed guns because some people think there toys and you can snap them all night long. Well, you can but wear is wear and some of this wear is abuse.

The snap caps protect the firing pin and spring. The bushing won't get wacked as hard so that is protected also. It won't protect the action.

XTrooper · Jan 2, 2011

Mr. Fahrenheit said:
I dry fire my semi-autos and my J frames a lot...without snap caps. The only thing I don't dry fire is my .22 rim fires.

Opinions will vary, but according to the S&W FAQ on their website:

FAQs - Smith & Wesson

"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.

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin."

The S&W FAQ doesn't settle the question of snap caps because they aren't mentioned one way or the other.

I can tell you one thing and this isn't opinion. While dry firing my less than two week old M&P340 not long ago w/o snap caps, the firing pin broke. I had dry fired it between two and three thousand times when this occurred.

Would the firing pin have broken if I'd been using snap caps? I don't know, but I'm using them from now on.

murphydog · Jan 2, 2011

You state you dry fire "a lot" (hundreds of times?), and there is a cheap, readily available product that probably decreases the force the frame and internals experience when the hammer strikes. I guess my question is, can you think of a reason why you should not be using snap caps?

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 2, 2011

XTrooper said:
The S&W FAQ doesn't settle the question of snap caps because they aren't mentioned one way or the other.

Actually it does. If you call them they will tell you so, though they won't argue against anyone using snap caps.

Technically, dryfiring is firing the gun without anything in the chamber. Snapcaps may not be live ammo, but they simulate having live ammo in the chamber and thereby the affects/wear on the firing components are the same.

G.T. Smith · Jan 2, 2011

Please,
Don't get me started,
peace,
gordon

XTrooper · Jan 2, 2011

Gun 4 Fun said:
Actually it does.

Actually, it does NOT.

This shouldn't have to be explained, but statements (opinions?) from anonymous service representatives are not extensions of the FAQ page.

Gun 4 Fun said:
Technically, dryfiring is firing the gun without anything in the chamber. Snapcaps may not be live ammo, but they simulate having live ammo in the chamber and thereby the affects/wear on the firing components are the same.

According to whom? Your definition is tortured and self-serving. Snap caps are not live ammunition....period.

If you are not "technically" dry firing a weapon with a snap cap in its chamber, what exactly are you doing? Semi-dry firing? Pseudo-dry firing?

No, you're just plain dry firing.

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 2, 2011

Dry firing is just what it says-dry firing. Firing the gun empty- dry- no ammo or simulated ammo.

According to your logic in your last edited statement, if you fire with live ammo are you still dry firing.

As far as what some annonymous source at S&W told me (or tells anyone else for that matter), what difference does that make? He is no more annonymous than someone who types the FAQ's on their website, or a gunsmith at a shop whom you have never met or, etc etc

Just FYI though the guy who told me that, was one of the guys in the custom shop who was working on one of my guns at the time, and that was their position on the matter.

I realize that this isn't an be all end all- but since you asked according to whom-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_fire

Read the very first line- an empty chamber.

XTrooper · Jan 2, 2011

I suppose if you consider "Wikipedia" the last word, then that definition means something. Others disagree. Trying "googling" dry fire and you'll see alternate definitions. I'll get you started.

Definition of Dry Fire or Dry Firing - Firearms Shooting Term Dry Fire or Dry Firing

Finally, there is a big difference between a published FAQ on a company's web site and a voice over the telephone, both legally and commonsense-wise. One is official and the other is just talk.

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 2, 2011

It seems you just need to argue here, so I'll not bother after this post since you have your opinion and I have mine. Neither will convince the other any different apparently.

I clearly stated in my post before that I don't believe wiki to be the definitive answer to everything. Just one quick reference for you to read.

As far as S&W and their website- I believe that someone who works in the custom shop would be in a pretty good position to know the companies official policies.

Your link is no more official or definitive than wiki.

Read the last line in the section on dry firing here-
http://www.rrmemphis.com/tips-drills.html

stevieboy · Jan 2, 2011

I've dry fired my S & W revolvers (rimfires excluded) 10s of thousands of times without any apparent damage.

My question: why would Smith say that it's ok to dry fire their revolvers if, in fact, it isn't?

old bear · Jan 2, 2011

Snap-caps are cheap and easy to locate, so why not use them?

My only advise about dry fire drills is to unload your weapon in one room and then dry fire in another room. Please don't ask me how I learned this is a good idea

Sportsterguy · Jan 3, 2011

old bear said:
Snap-caps are cheap and easy to locate, so why not use them?

My only advise about dry fire drills it to unload your weapon in one room and then dry fire in another room. Please don't ask me how I learned this is a good idea

Excellent advice. Known plenty of people who have had ND's dry firing their weapons. Mostly LEO's who are highly experienced with their weapons. No one killed or injured.

I use snap caps just to be on the safe side and only do it in my garage pointed at a level III vest with plate.

XTrooper · Jan 3, 2011

Sportsterguy said:
I use snap caps just to be on the safe side and only do it in my garage pointed at a level III vest with plate.

That's the safest way. I remember years ago Jeff Cooper used to sell 12" square ballistic panels to hang on your wall for dry firing purposes.

45doubletap · Jan 3, 2011

Thanks for all the advice, opinions, etc...I tried snap caps and do feel a difference. The hammer strike is much softer so it can't hurt. I decided to use them.

Sportsterguy · Jan 3, 2011

45doubletap said:
Thanks for all the advice, opinions, etc...I tried snap caps and do feel a difference. The hammer strike is much softer so it can't hurt. I decided to use them.

Excellent decision IMO. Cheap insurance on a valuable revolver. Just triple check that the snap caps are indeed in the cylinders and don't shoot the TV like my good LT. friend did while watching "Friends" with the family in his living room. I always triple check my weapons and made a homemade Clearing Station made out of a garbage can and sand.

Happy shooting!

everReady Rob · Jan 3, 2011

I guess the question to me is why take a chance on damaging your gun. I get a new caliber and snap caps at the same time. Pretty cheap insurance.

Plus, you can practice you reloading skills with speed loaders. Double fun, win - win.

jim0383 · Jan 3, 2011

A-Zooms are cheap for the piece of mind they give me.

The Dryfire Question

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads