Dry firing--- why so bad?

[maxxpower]

Why is dry firing worse than firing with snap caps? Is it a major issue or a small one? Is it quantity issue? Thanks.

 

[KurtC]

This goes for just about every cartridge gun:

When a cartridge (live, dummy, etc) is in the chamber, the firing mechanism is stopped when it contacts the soft primer, or its substitute.

When the chamber is empty, the firing mechanism is stopped when it contacts the metal inside the breechface. This causes unecessary shock and wear to the metal.

 

[OKFC05]

Depends on the gun design.

With a .22 rimfire, you can peen the chamber until the cartridge does not fit. (There is a tool available from Brownells for swaging it out). Also damages firing pin.

With blackpowder, you will ruin the nipples.

With a cemterfire cartridge gun, the firing pin may continue on and slam into the shoulder. Depending on the design, this may or may not cause a serious problem.

Read the owner's manual to find out what the manufacturer recommends.

I dryfire handguns a lot, and have spit a firing pin tip out of a Browning BDM once. I know one fellow who spit the firing pin off a hammer on a revolver.

 

[dlstewart01]

From S&W web-site


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.

 

[Camster]

Snap caps and cartridges cushion the blow.
Slam metal to metal long enough,be it either the firing pin against the cylinder on a rimfire, or the hammer against the frame on others,and eventually something is going to get peened or develop stress fractures.

 

[7shooter]

I emailed S&W to ask about dry firing my M&P 9 because a S&W armorer had told me this could cause damage. S&W wrote back and said that dry firing the M&P is not recommended as it can cause fractures to the striker.

 

[luckydog]

I can only say this. I will not purchase a used revolver without first checking the timing and dry firing the gun. When I sell a revolver, I encourage the serious buyer to do the same. For safety reasons, I insist on proper inspection by myself and the buyer to make sure the weapon is not loaded and I don't point or allow the revolver to be pointed any direction but at the floor. Little comfort if there is an AD, I realize. --Tom