I have been watching several videos and reading about practice drills for shooting and alot of them mention dry fire practice. I have always been told it was best not to dry fire the weapon. Is that true or is it no harm to the pistol and firing pin? I am wanting to practice and like the idea of the exercise but don't want to damage my gun or shorten the life of a componant. Any suggestions?
Dry fire exercise question
- Thread starter lsu2868
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JPriest
Member
From what I`ve read and been told, pretty much all modern centerfire guns, short or long, can be dry fired with no problems. There are a couple of threads on this with regards to rimfire calibres with mixed view points.
I do it all the time. If you want to be on the cautious side, invest in a set of snapcaps in your calibre. The area that duplicated the primer area is on a spring to absorb the impact and is supposedly easier on the firing pins. However, in Elmer Keith`s Sixguns, a book from decades past he recommends it for revolvers using spent cartridges, and he doesn`t seem like the type to have recommended anything that would hurt a gun.
I do it all the time. If you want to be on the cautious side, invest in a set of snapcaps in your calibre. The area that duplicated the primer area is on a spring to absorb the impact and is supposedly easier on the firing pins. However, in Elmer Keith`s Sixguns, a book from decades past he recommends it for revolvers using spent cartridges, and he doesn`t seem like the type to have recommended anything that would hurt a gun.
SW CQB 45
Member
I have been dry firing Glocks, 1911s, SW Revos/Auto since late 80s.
with nothing in the chamber.
never had a single issue.
Rimfire is usually a no-no as the firing pin will either damage the chamber or the chamber will damage the firing pin. To prevent damage, spent rimfire casing can be used however extreme caution should be taken so not to mistake a real cartridge from a spent one.
with nothing in the chamber.
never had a single issue.
Rimfire is usually a no-no as the firing pin will either damage the chamber or the chamber will damage the firing pin. To prevent damage, spent rimfire casing can be used however extreme caution should be taken so not to mistake a real cartridge from a spent one.
trulyapostolic
Member
Completely agree with the responses above. Dry firing is the best form of marksmanship training, better than a live round.
HereSinceTheLongHunters
Member
Took a while to find some snap caps, but they let you dry-fire worry free.. and also are good for learning how to clear jams.. 
Ok...thanks for all the input. I just really didn't want to damage the weapon. I will take a look at those snap caps...saw some yesterday at Academy. Time to get to practicing. My local gun club does monthly matches and I want to be able to participate without totally looking like the noob.
SW CQB 45
Member
what gun will you be training and shooting with?
semi auto
revolver
semi auto
revolver
Those matches sound like fun. Instead of trying to hide
your "noob-iness", why not play on it a little, and get lots of
good advice from experienced shooters. With your attitude,
you could compress a lot of rangetime in a hurry. Pls update.
TACC1
your "noob-iness", why not play on it a little, and get lots of
good advice from experienced shooters. With your attitude,
you could compress a lot of rangetime in a hurry. Pls update.
TACC1
Thanks and will do. I will definately be asking lots of questions here on the boards. Nothing is better than the knowledge and experience of your piers. I went to get some of those snap caps today but they were sold out of the 22. I will check back this week. Thanks again everyone.
Grjfer
US Veteran
You can use plastic wall anchors in place of Snap caps. Cheap and plentiful from your local hardware store.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/303683-dry-firing-s-w-pistols.html
