Dry-firing a semi-automatic pistol

[Sylvain]

I hear lots of different thing on the subject and I would like to know what you guys think.

Some gun manufacturer will tell you that its fine to dry-fire their guns and that you even NEED to do it to field srtrip them.(like Glock)

Some other will tell you that you should NEVER dry-fire their guns.

What do you guys do?

 

[shibumiseeker]

All of my non-rimfire pistols have thousands upon thousands of dry-fire...

 

[EdC]

I usually follow manufacturer's advice for that particular gun

 

[Dogman]

I hear lots of different thing on the subject and I would like to know what you guys think.

Some gun manufacturer will tell you that its fine to dry-fire their guns and that you even NEED to do it to field srtrip them.(like Glock)

Some other will tell you that you should NEVER dry-fire their guns.

What do you guys do?

I think it's a good idea to follow the manufacturers instructions.

 

[Brett244]

I also wondered the same thing about XD pistols.. If you pull the slide to check for live round, its cocked, leave it cocked or dry fire? It also requires dry fire for breakdown. Whats the best to do?

 

[Dogman]

I also wondered the same thing about XD pistols.. If you pull the slide to check for live round, its cocked, leave it cocked or dry fire? It also requires dry fire for breakdown. Whats the best to do?

1. before dry firing make sure the gun is unloaded.

2. before dry firing make sure the gun is unloaded.

3. if unsure .... see 1 and 2.

 

[christman]

All of my non-rimfire pistols have thousands upon thousands of dry-fire...

Been contemplating something a little to much? Need a hug? Im giving them out free today!

 

[christman]

So I guess dry firing to make sure the gun is unloaded is frowned upon around here? Jeezzz....How else am I supposed to quickly check?

 

[shibumiseeker]

Been contemplating something a little to much?

Well yes, but that has nothing to do with my dry-fire time

 

[Brett244]

1. before dry firing make sure the gun is unloaded.

2. before dry firing make sure the gun is unloaded.

3. if unsure .... see 1 and 2.

Yes, understood. I am trying to explain when I pick up a gun, I always drop the magazine, and next pull the slide to make sure its not loaded..... THEN the gun is cocked. Springfield XD's have no hammer, no way to release the pin without dry firing.

 

[Que]

Maybe it's just me, but I hate to pull the trigger just to practice trigger pull, not for the fear of damaging the gun, but I just don't want to get into the practice of doing it and someday have a ND. I know that sounds foolish, but that's just me.

 

[Dogman]

Yes, understood. I am trying to explain when I pick up a gun, I always drop the magazine, and next pull the slide to make sure its not loaded..... THEN the gun is cocked. Springfield XD's have no hammer, no way to release the pin without dry firing.

Keeping it cocked instead of dry firing it won't hurt the gun if thats what your asking. It stays cocked when its loaded.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Maybe it's just me, but I hate to pull the trigger just to practice trigger pull, not for the fear of damaging the gun, but I just don't want to get into the practice of doing it and someday have a ND. I know that sounds foolish, but that's just me.

I find the absolute reverse to be the case. Before I dry-fire I triple-check both visually and by feel and my ritual is to be sure I have a proper backstop and the like. Because it's a ritual to put in that much safety, I find I am MUCH more aware of where the gun is pointed and what my hands are doing when I am handling it, IE the body memory is more oriented towards safety.

 

[Dogman]

Maybe it's just me, but I hate to pull the trigger just to practice trigger pull, not for the fear of damaging the gun, but I just don't want to get into the practice of doing it and someday have a ND. I know that sounds foolish, but that's just me.

Triple check that the gun is unloaded and trust yourself, if your still not sure check again. Dry firing is a cheap way to practice.

 

[pudly]

Triple check that the gun is unloaded and trust yourself, if your still not sure check again. Dry firing is a cheap way to practice.

This. Dry firing is a great way to practice technique (assuming your gun is okay for it). It is very economical and is also great when the weather is poor. I've taken classes with multiple trainers that recommend it.

 

[Sylvain]

Yes, understood. I am trying to explain when I pick up a gun, I always drop the magazine, and next pull the slide to make sure its not loaded..... THEN the gun is cocked. Springfield XD's have no hammer, no way to release the pin without dry firing.

I always do that when I pick up a gun and then I dry-fire it (pointed in a safe direction after I checked three times the chamber was empty).
Even with my Kel-Tec who says not to dry fire it, I just dont dry fire it all day long like I would do with a Glock but I do it once after I checked.

 

[ATM]

...be sure I have a proper backstop and the like.

+1. There is no reason to violate any of the safety rules in order to dry fire.

...I just don't want to get into the practice of doing it and someday have a ND. I know that sounds foolish, but that's just me.

A negligent discharge into a backstop you were aiming at is not a big safety deal, just an unwelcome surprise.

Get a large bucket of sand or something.

 

[JohnP82]

I have dry fired many many times, doesnt bother me as long as it is not a rimfire.

 

[rwstahlh]

I don't dry fire a gun unless necessary to field strip the gun.

 

[MedicMike]

I bought a 92fs at a really good price needing a trigger spring. Come to find out it also needed a firing pin. After talking with the last owner he dried fired all the time to " not lose the feel of the trigger." Need less to say after a spring kit and firing pin I still got a really good deal.