Seems Okay to Dry Fire a 43c (.22lr)

[Jeekay29]

Here are two photos of the cylinder of my brand new 43c:

The first photo shows 8 wall anchor snap caps after one cycle of dry firing. Carefully note the vertical rectangular indent made by the firing pin on each anchor’s rim where it abuts the bottom center of each of the star ejector’s semi-circular chambering guides.

The second photo shows the empty cylinder and the star ejector after a dozen full cycles of EMPTY (no snap caps present) dry firing.

I don’t see any firing pin marks anywhere.

What do you folks think?

 

[Boudiepitbull]

I'll confess that as a kid I grew up playing with my Mom's old unloaded JC Higgins bolt action .22 rifle and must have dry fired that poor gun thousands and thousands of times. That rifle is probably 80-85 years old and still works today despite all the adolescent abuse I subjected it to. Regardless of having gotten away with it once, I'd still try to resist the temptation and avoid peening the firing pin into a mushroom by excessive dry firing with any new rimfire if I could.

 

[murphydog]

Hard to argue the firing pin is making contact with the extractor with dry firing. Would still use the wall anchors anyhow.

 

[Tyree1867]

JeeKay- What size wall anchor please?

 

[Jeekay29]

JeeKay- What size wall anchor please?

These are also sold at ACE Hardware under its store brand “Midwest”.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

FYI, S&W advises against dry-firing their .22LR revolvers because it might damage the firing pin. They don't say anything about damage to the cylinder or extractor.

 

[max503]

Seems easy enough to use those dry wall anchors or snap caps. Why take a chance when you don't have to?

 

[gwpercle]

It's your gun ... do whatever you please .

I don't dry fire rimfire's without protection .

A rule my wise old Daddy instilled many years ago .
My Dad would tell me ... " Boy , don't be acting the fool ! ... Think about what you're doing ! "

My last child came about because I didn't use protection ...
I was acting the Fool !
Gary

 

[Protocall_Design]

At least you weren't dry firing...

 

[murphydog]

JeeKay- What size wall anchor please?

I believe they are the #6, usually found in yellow.

 

[Jeekay29]

Just for knowledge and argument’s sake, if, as we have shown, the firing pin is making zero contact with the extractor and the cylinder as the pin launches out of the breech face, what area of the firing pin might still be damaged? Does part of the firing pin behind the breech face slam into “something” due to not meeting cushioning resistance from a cartridge or snap cap rim?

��

 

[Protocall_Design]

It slams into the cross pin going forward. Also, it over compresses the fragile firing pin spring, potentially causing it to break. This is the same for dry firing all the centerfire guns as well. That's why I prefer to use a rubber O ring around the firing pin between the hammer and frame. Super cheap, one size fits all, 5/16" or M8 OD.

 

[Jeekay29]

Thanks, PD, and all the rest who weighed in. Turns out my gastroenterologist was right: “It’s what’s happening in the rear that counts.”

Suffice to say, the yellow wall anchors are now back in (the) action!

 

[Protocall_Design]

The proctologist is the one in the rear.

 

[TnIron]

It's your gun ... do whatever you please .

I don't dry fire rimfire's without protection .

A rule my wise old Daddy instilled many years ago .
My Dad would tell me ... " Boy , don't be acting the fool ! ... Think about what you're doing ! "

My last child came about because I didn't use protection ...
I was acting the Fool !
Gary

Wise words! I think your dad and I would get along well.