Is dry firing ever bad?

Joshvictus · Jul 28, 2014

Tried doing a search and came up empty handed.

Seeing a lot of talk about practicing by dry firing. To my understanding it's not that great for a hammered gun to be continuously dry fired, but something like a glock is fine.

Any validity in this?

Fox123 · Jul 28, 2014

It does depend on the firearm. Some can cause serious damage if you do dry fire. That's why they invented snap caps.

HazyDayz · Jul 28, 2014

The way I understand it, rim fire is a no no. Hammered guns are iffy, but it's generally best to use snap caps. They're cheap enough, so why risk it?

Nanook · Jul 28, 2014

Striker fired guns (Glock) is stupid without a snap cap. Once or twice, or a few hundred times, not a huge issue but after thousands of dry fires breech face damage will probably occur. Do a quick search on the interwebz for Glock breech face failure pictures.

A few bucks for some snap caps is well worth it.

platoonDaddy · Jul 28, 2014

Nanook said:
Striker fired guns (Glock) is stupid without a snap cap. Once or twice, or a few hundred times, not a huge issue but after thousands of dry fires breech face damage will probably occur. Do a quick search on the interwebz for Glock breech face failure pictures.

A few bucks for some snap caps is well worth it.

I have Glocks (17 & 19)that have been dry fired thousands of times with a brass balancing on the front sight without any issues.

Pinecone · Jul 28, 2014

Many rimfires are not safe to dry fire. The firing pin will hit the edge of the chamber. But more modern ones are OK, the firing pin is shorter and will not touch the edge of the chamber.

Some older firearms can break the firing pin if dry fired too much, but no modern firearm has a problem.

I dry fire all my centerfire firearms. Some a LOT.

Maverick0313 · Jul 28, 2014

HazyDayz said:
The way I understand it, rim fire is a no no. Hammered guns are iffy, but it's generally best to use snap caps. They're cheap enough, so why risk it?

Yep.

stu929 · Jul 28, 2014

HazyDayz said:
The way I understand it, rim fire is a no no. Hammered guns are iffy, but it's generally best to use snap caps. They're cheap enough, so why risk it?

This is how understand it as well!

pittsaero · Jul 28, 2014

Be safe & use snap caps. Then there is no issue

pcfixer · Jul 28, 2014

I have made my own snap caps for centerfire rifles. Use an old brass case
punch out the primer and use old pencil eraser glued in the primer pocket.
make sure the eraser is flush with the end of the brass case..
works for me and very inexpensive... :thumbsup:

jaybee · Jul 28, 2014

I like the snap caps painted yellow or orange so you can partially open the chamber and see that it is "not" a real bullet case

10 for $12

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-Caps-T...929?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8f429781

22LR

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PACHMAYR-22...356?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f10625d4

jjbduke2004 · Jul 28, 2014

Pinecone said:
Many rimfires are not safe to dry fire. The firing pin will hit the edge of the chamber. But more modern ones are OK, the firing pin is shorter and will not touch the edge of the chamber.

.

I'd be wary even of the modern ones: my Savage Mk II-FVT has a nice chamber peen from dry firing. Orange disposable rimfire snap caps do exist, and yellow drywall anchors also work.

Some Anschutz have drop in "dry fire" firing pins and some shooters mod a used firing pin to be dry fire safe.

jaybee · Jul 28, 2014

I do like the spring loaded for 12 gauge but they do cost more

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Traditions-...162?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad950c162

newq · Jul 28, 2014

pcfixer said:
I have made my own snap caps for centerfire rifles. Use an old brass case
punch out the primer and use old pencil eraser glued in the primer pocket.
make sure the eraser is flush with the end of the brass case..
works for me and very inexpensive...

THATS AWESOME MEGA KARMA TO YOU! I LOVE THE IDEA!

HazyDayz · Jul 28, 2014

jaybee said:
I do like the spring loaded for 12 gauge but they do cost more

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Traditions-...162?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad950c162

Is there much of a difference between that and the A-zoom aluminum ones? I heard that the aluminum ones cycle better.

4095fanatic · Jul 28, 2014

Rimfire you need to be especially careful with.

Centerfire can be hit or miss depending on the firearm and whose opinion you're listening to.

Certain firearms like an AR-15s I've seen damaged from dry firing when there was no upper attached and the hammer was constantly smacking in to the receiver. Lesson being, if you're going to dry fire always make sure you're doing it correctly.

YMMV.

Cochise · Jul 28, 2014

the only problem with snap caps is when one goes BOOM instead of click. Be Careful, I've seen it happen.

rbird7282 · Jul 28, 2014

HazyDayz said:
Is there much of a difference between that and the A-zoom aluminum ones? I heard that the aluminum ones cycle better.

I love the A-Zoom caps, they are definitely better than the plastic ones.

Mooseman · Jul 28, 2014

Most modern firearms are okay with dry fire. For the price of some snap caps, why push your luck.

Alan3413 · Jul 28, 2014

You can dry fire a ruger Mk iii without damage.

Is dry firing ever bad?

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