Dry-firing a semi-automatic pistol

[Bapak2ja]

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.

 

[SSGSAD]

I dry fire, all the time, double check, to MAKE SURE empty, and use resized brass, with the fired primer, or snap caps...

 

[GTM]

Just ordered some snap caps yesterday off of Amazon.com. $14 for 5 (or 6?). I plan on practicing trigger control.

 

[Miller Tyme]

I only avoid dry firing my rimfire guns, other than that I have no concerns.

 

[McMark]

I have no issues dry firing my pistols without snap caps, though I will use snap caps at the range mixed in with live rounds. The time spent dry firing has helped me tremendously. Check out Steve Anderson's book "Refinement & Repetition, Dry Fire Drills for Dramatic Improvement."

 

[1LuvGuns]

I dry fire all my centerfire guns. If I want to dry fire a rimfire I use snap caps.

 

[hidesert]

If you are going to be OCD about anything, being OCD about knowing the loaded condition of your gun is a good thing. Check and recheck.

As for the dry firing, depends entirely on the design.

 

[Brett244]

Has anyone actually had any big problems in result of dry-firing w/out primer/snap cap? I have always heard its not good for pistols to do it, but never heard of any issues become of it?

 

[MattCFII]

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.

Kel-tecs are one of the exceptions to dry-firing without snap caps, it will start to damage the firing pin retainer screw if you don't have a snap cap.

My Glock I dry-fire all the time without snap caps. I've even heard someone complain about light strikes cased by brass shavings from the snap caps.

You can even safely dry fire most modern rimfires, they have shortened firing pins that shouldn't contact the breech face. Dry fire it? | American Handgunner | Find Articles at BNET

 

[pudly]

Has anyone actually had any big problems in result of dry-firing w/out primer/snap cap? I have always heard its not good for pistols to do it, but never heard of any issues become of it?

The general rule is: Dry firing without a snap cap is perfectly okay for modern center fires and bad for modern rim fires. You can kill the firing pin. Here is an excellent picture showing why:

However, there are exceptions. Definitely check your manual or vendor's web site. Do you have a specific model in mind?

 

[clgustaveson]

I am not big on dry firing, there are some guns that I feel are much more vulerable to damage from dry firing.

In order to prevent damage, I simply use snap caps, they are a cheap preventative measure.

Why even risk it?

I use these... TRIPLE-K : DELUXE SNAP CAP - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools

 

[Jay]

The general rule is: Dry firing without a snap cap is perfectly okay for modern center fires and bad for modern rim fires. You can kill the firing pin. Definitely check your manual or vendor's web site. Do you have a specific model in mind?

You may well damage the breech face at the same time. This pic shows firing pin impact (at about 12 o'clock) on the breech face of a Browning Buckmark. Repeated impacts have peened the metal into the chamber, causing poor feed, and extraction. The damage can usually be repaired, but it's one of those things that doesn't have to happen. This pic is of a used barrel that I bought very cheaply, due to the damage. I fixed it in about 15 minutes.......

 

[Brett244]

Well I do not necessarily dry fire on a normal basis. I was more asking an open question. But I would be asking more towards an XD or s&w 22a(rimfire).

 

[09hemi]

I have an XD9, granted I have not had this gun very long I have dry fired it hundreds of time to become comfortable with it. If you have alot of concerned go to your local gun shop and pick up a pack of snow caps and use those. It has a little rubber piece were the firing pin contacts to will keep you firing pin safe. Be sure you real ammo is in another room and you are still firing in a safe direction.

Be safe. Be smart.

 

[philagothon]

According to the guys at XDtalk there is a chance that dry firing will damage the roll pin. There are mixed reports on it though. One guy broke his after only a few hundred dry fires, another reports no apparent damage after thousands of dry fires. The repair is usually easy, but occasionally requires a trip back to Springfield. It's at least something to be aware of.

 

[leedawg77]

Get some snap caps if you want to dry fire. They are good for practice loading, etc anyhow. You can find name brand ones cheap on eBay or most any gun store has them anymore.