Ok to dry fire?

[Sparkz]

I just picked up a really nice 4" nickel plated Model 34-1 .22 revolver and was wondering if it's ok to dry fire it? I've been told by those who "know" that it's ok, and others who supposedly "know", that is isn't. I am waiting to hear from someone who really knows LOL.

Not wanting to take a chance on screwing it up I'm not doing any dry firing until I'm certain that it's ok.

Thanks

 

[Centenniel]

Don't dry fire S&W .22LR revolvers. Centerfire revolvers are okay to dry fire.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Don't dry fire S&W .22LR revolvers. Centerfire revolvers are okay to dry fire.

+1

It's right on their websight-
FAQs - Smith & Wesson

 

[M28]

I've been told by those who "know" that it's ok....

....or thought they knew. Do NOT dry fire that rimfire.

Brian~

 

[CT Smith Fan]

+1 Never, it will cause cylinder and firing pin damage.

 

[Sparkz]

Thanks for the quick reply.

It's a really nice gun, I'd hate to damage it.

 

[duckloads]

From what I understand, the reason not to dry fire a .22 rimfire revolver is becasue the firing pin might/could/or will make contact with the cylinder.

 

[Bellzy]

See, now I was always told that it was not cool to dry fire older revolvers of any kind. I just picked up this decent model 19 that was built in '73 and have been terrified to dry fire it because of these stories.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

See, now I always told that it was not cool to dry fire older revolvers of any kind. I just picked up this decent model 19 that was built in '73 and have been terrified to dry fire it because of these stories.

That is not really considered an old revolver, and dryfiring it will not hurt it one bit.

 

[Buford57]

Limited dry firing shouldn't hurt most centerfire revolvers and a few months ago I would have said +3 (or whatever). Then I bought a nice, clean, barely-a-turn-line M28-2. On about the third cylinder full of ammo I put through it the hammer nose broke off, dropped into the action and, as I went "Click, click, what the heck?" found it's way against the cylinder stop where it jammed. Getting the cylinder open left a nice scratch between two of the notches. A new hammer nose and she's back in business, but I suspect whoever had it before me spent more time dry firing than live firing.

Now I would invest in a set of A-Zoom snap caps, then dry fire away. The caps will more closely simulate the weight of a loaded gun, and the action will only improve with use. That firing pin was designed to hit something when the hammer falls.

 

[CT Smith Fan]

I agree with Buford57,good quality snap caps are cheap insurance against damage,you never see anybody dry fire a high end shotgun these days.So why take a chance with your handgun.

 

[jj2am44]

Limited dry firing shouldn't hurt most centerfire revolvers and a few months ago I would have said +3 (or whatever). Then I bought a nice, clean, barely-a-turn-line M28-2. On about the third cylinder full of ammo I put through it the hammer nose broke off, dropped into the action and, as I went "Click, click, what the heck?" found it's way against the cylinder stop where it jammed. Getting the cylinder open left a nice scratch between two of the notches. A new hammer nose and she's back in business, but I suspect whoever had it before me spent more time dry firing than live firing.

Now I would invest in a set of A-Zoom snap caps, then dry fire away. The caps will more closely simulate the weight of a loaded gun, and the action will only improve with use. That firing pin was designed to hit something when the hammer falls.

I agree with the snap caps. But, I had a new 629 and the hammer nose broke off and fell into the action the first time I took it out. Had to send it back to Smith to get it fixed.

 

[murphydog]

This may be crazy, and is a little tedious at best, but I've saved a few .22 LR cases after a range session on occasion to use for dry firing. The revolver rimfire firing pins always strike at 12 o'clock, and by making sure an unstruck portion of rim is at the top of the chamber when loading I can get a few practice strikes out of each empty. Does anyone see any harm in this, or is there such a thing as a .22 LR snap-cap?

 

[hsguy]

Alan, I think you will be fine using the empties. The do make what are called "action proving dummies" for 22 lr but they are just aluminum or plastic and I would think the empties are just as good.

 

[tomhenry]

Several have mentioned the hammer nose breaking off. I remember talking to a gunsmith back when all Smiths had hammer mounted firing pins. He said that he frequently got Smiths in for repair with that exact problem where the pin broke during dry firing.

It can happen. I prefer to not subject my Smiths, or any of my guns to dry firing.

Some say use snap caps. I have also heard of people forgetting they replaced snap caps w/live ammo.

Therefore, the only time I pull the trigger on my guns is at the range.

 

[surfgun]

Alan, I think you will be fine using the empties. The do make what are called "action proving dummies" for 22 lr but they are just aluminum or plastic and I would think the empties are just as good.

+1............

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

They do make dedicated snap caps for rimfires, but they don't last long. Fortunately they are fairly inexpensive.

Since S&W claims that you can dry fire their centerfire guns without harm, I'd listen to them. After all they are the ones who made them and warranty them (or at least those made since 1989).

I believe that far more firing pin noses break off from defects in the metal (which can happen even if you have never dry fired your gun), than from simply the act of dry firing.

In the end, it is all up to what you feel comfortable with, but at least read the link I posted above to S&W's advice.

 

[Sparkz]

Thanks for all the great info. I just looked at Brownells and they have the action proving dummies for $7 for a box of 50. Pachmayr also makes 22lr "snap caps" for about $6/24.

I can't wait to shoot the 34-1 I just bought. I really hate winter in the N.E.

 

[dlidster]

Really cheap, reliable .22 Snap Caps

I have a .22 Outdoorsman (1937) that I wouldn't dream of dry firing without snap caps. I won't take credit for discovering this, but here's the absolute best solution for .22 snap caps I've found.

They're hollow wall anchors for #4-#6 screws. A box of 100 is about $3 or so at Home Depot. If your forget what size you need, just remember yellow. That's the color code for this size from all manufacturers.

These anchors fit the cylinder and cylinder recesses in the K22 exactly. In fact, I can load them into a Ruger Mark III magazine and they feed and eject just like live ammo.

Buy a box and share them with your .22-owning friends. I wouldn't be without them.

 

[JPriest]

I have a set of .22 snapcaps and it says right on the package that they are for testing the action only, not dry firing.