Lately I've seen half a dozen articles on why not to dry fire my 9mm EZ. I've also seen an equal number of reasons why it is OK to do so. I'd like to hear from you professionals which way to go. I've used snap caps and that's a pain. Constantly looking for the stray that rolled into an impossible place. I also have a Bodyguard 380 I purchased 10 years ago and never fired it. Same goes for it. Will dry fire ruin either one?
M&P9 9mm EZ dry fire
- Thread starter MDillon
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
The majority of modern handguns are technically safe to dry fire, but it's best to use a snap cap, especially if you plan to do a lot.
A lot of, if not most, modern strikers and firing pins are MIM, and the tip may eventually break. A tool steel firing pin/striker can be more durable, but you can also find pictures of Glocks with broken breech faces on the slide from a ton of dry fire without a snap cap.
If you're annoyed with searching for snap caps, Lyman has their A-Zoom Striker caps that lack a rim, but are held in with a replaceable O-ring. You have to knock it out with something like a cleaning rod afterwards.
A lot of, if not most, modern strikers and firing pins are MIM, and the tip may eventually break. A tool steel firing pin/striker can be more durable, but you can also find pictures of Glocks with broken breech faces on the slide from a ton of dry fire without a snap cap.
If you're annoyed with searching for snap caps, Lyman has their A-Zoom Striker caps that lack a rim, but are held in with a replaceable O-ring. You have to knock it out with something like a cleaning rod afterwards.
I don't worry about dry firing my guns (I have three EZ's, a 9mm, 380, and a 30 Super Carry) but I don't do it a lot. What I use instead is a laser cartridge called a "tactical red dot laser cartridge". I get them on ebay for about twenty bucks or so. I've got them in 9mm and 380. They come in a bunch of other calibers (no 30 Super Carry) also. They fit into the chamber with a couple of O rings (extra's and batteries included). Sold by someone called "Hunting Outdoor" store, I have no affiliation with them other than buying the product. You can replace the batteries, but frankly when I wear the batteries down, I simply buy another unit. I haven't bought another unit yet. They act as a snap cap in that when you "fire" it the firing pin hits a cushion "primer" on the base of the cartridge and shoots a burst of laser light that gives a visual indication hit or miss. A lot more fun than just plain dry firing. The extractor doesn't grip the cartridge, so you can reset the trigger easily by simply racking the slide back. I've got one in my new 9mm Shield right now.
But to answer your original question. Dry fiiring will not hurt your EZ.
But to answer your original question. Dry fiiring will not hurt your EZ.
Last edited:
agksimon
Member
I put a Mantis Dry Fire Training Aid into the magazine and this will prevent the slide stop from functioning and allow it to go forward. I also ground the rim off of a spring loaded snap cap so the extractor won't pull it out. This way I can constantly rack the slide and dry fire.
When done, remove the Mantis from the magazine and the snap cap from the chamber, using a wooden dowel.
When done, remove the Mantis from the magazine and the snap cap from the chamber, using a wooden dowel.
Attachments
Last edited:
Oldsalt66
Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2014
- Messages
- 729
- Reaction score
- 1,185
My wife has both the .380 and 9mm EZs and she dry fires them frequently which causes no damage.
The confusion stems from the correct admonition not to dry fire the pistols when they're disassembled which may cause damage to the hammer.
The confusion stems from the correct admonition not to dry fire the pistols when they're disassembled which may cause damage to the hammer.
Last edited:
