andyo5
Member
I know that dry firing is a no no with rimfire rifles. But how about my new 617-2? Will dry firing damage the gun?
Yes, it can damage the gun, especially with the softer aluminum cylinder your gun has. Don't dry fire without snap caps, spent casings or wall anchors in each chamber.
Yes, it can damage the gun, especially with the softer aluminum cylinder your gun has. Don't dry fire without snap caps, spent casings or wall anchors in each chamber.
Aluminun cylinder??? Not by the specs S&W furnishes, shows stainless steel frame and cylinder.
There are no snap caps for rimfires; only dummy rounds and there is a difference.
I would not advise the use of spent casings. Rounds are for firing and brass is for reloading - please do not use either for anything else where a gun is involved.
I recommend #4 drywall anchors - no mistaking these and no damage to the gun.
Respectfully...
The 617-2 version had an aluminum alloy cylinder and that appears to be the version the original poster has.
I've dry fired my 617s and 17s and 18s thousands of times and will continue to do so. No damage, loss of accuracy or function; and one is a 617-2 with aluminum cylinder.
Dry firing is one of the best tools available for sight picture / trigger control training.
Dennis.
Dennis, your statement flies in the face of conventional wisdom, and it made me cringe. In your support, I MUST state that I accompanied my friend to the shop of a VERY well respected gunsmith in our neck o' the woods. We were there to pick up his 617 which had been worked on. On his return to the counter from his bench in the back, this experienced gunsmith was dry firing the 617 as he walked. I kept my mouth shut--NOT my revolver, NOT my place to speak. We discussed this on our way home. My friend was unaware, BUT I was horrified. At least a thousand rounds have gone through his 617, W/O a problem since. Sooo, I tend to believe what you say, BUT I will live by the rule I learned over 50 years ago when I broke the firing pin in my first Marlin Model 39 in .22 LR. NEVER dry fire an empty rimfire....
I have purchased several 22 snap caps packages and they work well with my browning guns. Made by Triple K Brand #A799, 20 in each pac for a couple bucks.
Tipton makes .22 snap caps.
Tipton® Snap Caps
The 617-2 version had an aluminum alloy cylinder and that appears to be the version the original poster has.