Safe to dry fire 686?

[rimfire22]

I've got a 686-3. I'm guessing it's safe to dry fire to my heart's content, but wanted to confirm before I start, thanks.

 

[kenjen]

you can dry fire it but i would use snap caps.

 

[vytoland]

i, personally, wound NOT dry fire ANY S&W revolver without snap caps. Snap caps are inexpensive and a good product to prevent damage to the firing pin.

 

[bipe215]

Dry firing is a good thing.

 

[dfariswheel]

It's completely safe to dry fire a modern S&W, but there is at least some risk of a broken firing pin, or causing the firing pin hole to develop a slight outward cratering on guns with the firing pin mounted on the hammer.

Just to be careful, use snap caps.

 

[158Grain]

And purchase some quality snap caps. I would stay away from the A-Zooms. They are a very thin aluminum and will split at the rim quickly.

 

[gboling]

Buy some ammo with the money you would spend on snap caps and dry fire till your toes turn blue. Old or new, S&W tells us that their center fire revolvers are made to dry fire. Rim fire revolvers are not as the firing pin may contact the cylinder and damage the firing pin.

 

[markmodel10]

I have seen people use spent casings as snap caps. is this a safe alternative to snap caps?

 

[radtuck]

I used to dry fire my 629-3 daily...then the hammer nose broke. I was lucky to find a place that had them in stock, since S&W discontinued the part. If I were you, I would invest in snap caps.
John

 

[Avery11]

I have seen people use spent casings as snap caps. is this a safe alternative to snap caps?

Safe - yes

Smart - probably not

Murphy says that one day you will fire on a live round. We're talking about 15-20 bucks here. Short money for a little extra insurance, no?

Here's to your safety,

A.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I've got a 686-3. I'm guessing it's safe to dry fire to my heart's content, but wanted to confirm before I start, thanks.

Safe without "snap caps." I have been dry firing for 40+ years and I have never had a set of these "snap caps." Solution to a non-existent problem if you ask me. Sort of like a full length guide rod in a 1911.

 

[HotRoderX]

I get some snap caps my self and I personally think Dry Firing a revolver is a great thing. I noticed with my 637 that the more I dry fired it the smoother the trigger felt. My guess is when things are factory new they just need to ware a little.

 

[A10]

I've not used snap caps and have dry fired revolvers for close to 50 years with no issues, HOWEVER, snap caps do a couple things for you. First they force you to open the cylinder before practice, second they assure that there are no live rounds in the cylinder, and third (least important IMO) they offer some protection for your revolver. They are a great idea!

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I personally don't think snap caps are necassary. However, I use them and agree with A10. It keeps you in the practice of opening the cylinder and loading which is not a bad idea from a training standpoint. And Avery11 is right about Murphy. How many times have you heard or read about people getting shot by "unloaded" weapons. I've personally seen "unloaded" weapons go off, but not mine. It's a good drill to reinforce clearing a weapon, and staying in practice for loading/reloading. I use the Azooms and haven't had any break yet, but if I do, I'll switch to something better.

 

[DonD]

When the .500 Mags were coming out, I had a phone call with Herb Belin, S&Ws revolver program manager.

Since I was new to S&W revolvers, having had only Rugers prior to that point, I asked him about dry firing. He said it was fine although he knew of people who would sit in front of TV for hours pulling the trigger in an attempt to improve the trigger pull. He wasn't in favor of that tactic. Don

 

[stantheman86]

I just got done with the PA corrections academy and the 64-8's and 65-3's used there get dry fired a LOT with no snap caps

 

[snubbiefan]

This is one of those never-ending debates that never has a resolution. To answer one question that was asked....NO...fired cases are not suitable for snap caps. Once the primer has been indented by the FP....all the nose is going to do is repeat making the same indention. It's very easy to make your own snap-caps....empty de-capped cases and the pocket filled with a trimmed pencil eraser or silicone. They are cheap, last forever and can easily be re-tooled...so-to-speak. The snap-caps are expensive and designed to only last long enough so they can sell you more.