When I do my dry fire exercises with snap caps, I pull the slide back about 1/2" to cock the striker. It always goes back into battery. Is this the correct way to do dry fire exercises, or should I rack the slide completely? My BG 380, I just pull the trigger.
Correct way to dry fire Shield
- Thread starter Indynick
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dullh
Member
If it goes "click" when you press the trigger, you're doing it right.
Snap caps are optional.
Snap caps are optional.
Arik
Member
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That is correct. You need only pull the slide back far enough to reset the trigger.
OP
Thanks. All that talk about in-out of battery had me rethinking.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Yep, you're doing it right. I just wish more guys would do more dry practice.
robkarrob
Member
You don't need snap caps. They will not hurt, but really do no help. S&W states their pistols (not 22 rimfires) can be dry fired. They say nothing about using snap caps. You will find that the vast majority, including myself, never use snap caps. I know some think the snap caps somehow help save wear or damage to the striker. I have yet to read about anyone specifically having any issues with their striker because of dry firing without using snap caps. I never use snap caps and do a hundred or more dry fires each month with several brands of centerfire pistols, and I have not had any issues at all. If you want to use snap caps go ahead and use them. I am not trying to dissuade you, only advising that they are not needed.
Bob
Bob
There are some pistols you need Snap-Caps for. It seems like those include some of the Hammer/Firing Pin models... ie: KelTecs and Ruger's LCP and LC9 (LC9 original that is). With KelTecs, particularly the PF-9... the Extractor Bolt doubles as the Firing Pin retainer and the primer stops the Firing Pin's forward movement. If Dry-Firing with out a Snap-Cap in place, both the Firing Pin and the Retaining Bolt can become damaged.
There has also been numerous debates on the XD Forums about Excessive Dry-Firing without a Snap-Cap can cause premature damage to the Roll Pin that associated with the Striker.
IIRC... Both the KelTec and XD manuals do have some sort of statements concerning Dry-Fire.
There has also been numerous debates on the XD Forums about Excessive Dry-Firing without a Snap-Cap can cause premature damage to the Roll Pin that associated with the Striker.
IIRC... Both the KelTec and XD manuals do have some sort of statements concerning Dry-Fire.
Rastoff
US Veteran
First of all, this is the S&W M&P forum. As far as M&Ps are concerned, you can take as many dry presses as you like, without snap caps, and without damage.
Now, let's look at other guns...
I have several pistols from several different manufacturers. I also have rifles and shotguns. I do a lot of dry practice. In fact, I generally do approximately 20 dry presses for every live shot. I say approximately because with my carry gun I do a lot more. In that one gun I have a documented 7,023rounds fired. I know I have more than 100,000 dry presses on that gun with no adverse affects.
In my research on this subject, I've only found two manufacturers that recommend using snap caps. The first is Beretta. They recommend, and include, snap caps in their O/U shotguns. The second is Ljutic, but I'll bet a month of lunches no one here, except me, has one of those.
Now, let's look at other guns...
This is an interesting and ambiguous statement. You'll have to define "excessive" for us. Is 10 dry presses excessive? What about 100? 1,000?
I have several pistols from several different manufacturers. I also have rifles and shotguns. I do a lot of dry practice. In fact, I generally do approximately 20 dry presses for every live shot. I say approximately because with my carry gun I do a lot more. In that one gun I have a documented 7,023rounds fired. I know I have more than 100,000 dry presses on that gun with no adverse affects.
I glanced through the XD manual and found nothing. I'll leave it to you to verify what you said, but until you produce a page that states snap caps are necessary, the assumption is that you don't recall correctly.
In my research on this subject, I've only found two manufacturers that recommend using snap caps. The first is Beretta. They recommend, and include, snap caps in their O/U shotguns. The second is Ljutic, but I'll bet a month of lunches no one here, except me, has one of those.
I like to use a couple of snap caps. I'll even load up 2 mags sometimes to practice mags swaps and malfunction drills.
Seeing the snap cap fly across the room tells me I'm manipulating the slide with enough authority to clear the round. I don't like slamming the slide home on a empty chamber.
Seeing the snap cap fly across the room tells me I'm manipulating the slide with enough authority to clear the round. I don't like slamming the slide home on a empty chamber.
IIRC... Both the KelTec and XD manuals do have some sort of statements concerning Dry-Fire.[/QUOTE]
Very true... But people (especially those new to pistols in general) read what is written here and take it as a blanket statement for 100% of the pistols out there, then wonder why their (fill-in-the-brand) pistol broke.
Now, let's look at other guns...This is an interesting and ambiguous statement. You'll have to define "excessive" for us. Is 10 dry presses excessive? What about 100? 1,000?
The definition of excessive seems to be what's debatable. I thought about expanding that statement further, but honestly didn't think it would be necessary. Obviously I was mistaken.
I don't believe anyone could consider 10 per day excessive, but what seems to be debatable is 'where', between a couple Hundred per day, every day, up to a Thousand per day, every day to draw the dividing line. Everyone seems to jump in with their opinion, but nobody seems to have deemed the issue worthy of an actual study.
One person will inevitably state 'competitive shooters do extensive dry-fire practice between competitions', but what isn't known, is how often they end up replacing the roll pins as preventive maintenance.
I also did say 'can cause premature damage'... not 'definitely would'. and... this was simply to be an example for XD Striker Fire pistols... rather than a blanket debate I see on each and every forum. Again... merely to indicate that while it is a non-issue for M&Ps, it should not blindly be carried over to every brand without researching, as some here do own (or may later own) more than just M&Ps.
As it's been a couple years since I've read through my XD manuals, I will defer to your findings.
hobby-gunsmith
US Veteran
correct dry fire
When it comes to dry firing the Springfield XD, you will, indeed, need a snap cap or A-Zoom Cap while drying firing the gun. The first time, I called Springifled for a replacement pin and the tech asked me if I was dry firing. I immediately advised him dry firing the gun without a snap cap. He advised me to use snap caps in the future and a replacement roll pin was mailed to me without charge. The second pin subsequently broken after a hundred dry firings and replaced it. I decided to make a dozen roll pins to the exact specifications. So far, the third pin is holding. I dry fire every day about 15 minutes each day with at least 40 to 50 dry firings at each session. I would recommend, as a safe guard to use snap caps or a-zoom caps when dry firing. The process doesn't cost you any thing extra but may save the wear and tear on both the extractor and striker.
Nick
When it comes to dry firing the Springfield XD, you will, indeed, need a snap cap or A-Zoom Cap while drying firing the gun. The first time, I called Springifled for a replacement pin and the tech asked me if I was dry firing. I immediately advised him dry firing the gun without a snap cap. He advised me to use snap caps in the future and a replacement roll pin was mailed to me without charge. The second pin subsequently broken after a hundred dry firings and replaced it. I decided to make a dozen roll pins to the exact specifications. So far, the third pin is holding. I dry fire every day about 15 minutes each day with at least 40 to 50 dry firings at each session. I would recommend, as a safe guard to use snap caps or a-zoom caps when dry firing. The process doesn't cost you any thing extra but may save the wear and tear on both the extractor and striker.
Nick
Rastoff
US Veteran
I agree that some people will sometimes apply what they read here to other guns. However, because this is a specific forum, it's more likely that they will apply what they read here, regardless of what gun it's for, to the M&P. Besides, if we were to attempt to cover every gun out there, we'll need more bandwidth. 
Bud33
Member
Layserlyte makes a laser target and bullet that makes dry firing a little less boring!
The bullet has a laser in it and the target is sensitive to laser.
Each time you shoot, it places a red dot on the target.
The bullet has a laser in it and the target is sensitive to laser.
Each time you shoot, it places a red dot on the target.
I own snap caps that I bought as a training tool, but not for dry firing my Shield. I will, if I start shooting down and to the left, have my son load my magazine and out of 5 rounds work in 2 or 3 snap caps in random places. A few embarrassing dives into a snap cap "click" and I usually stop doing it and it brings my aim right back where it needs to be. Luckily, I haven't had to do that in a while, and I shout about 100 rounds yesterday through it and was doing a good job of punching the center out at 7 yds.
B Phillips
Member
I dry fire mine everyday with strong hand and weak hand, concentrating on keeping my sights as steady as possible. A little more difficult with my left hand.
