[Rival]

I picked up my Ruger Mark II today, and while I was checking out the gun the salesperson mentioned that I should not dry fire any rimfire firearm since the firing pin hits the side of the chamber, and it is bad for the barrel...

Is that really so? Am I to use snap cap every time I want to dry fire my Mark II?

[BryanP]

This is generally true with .22lr and if you don't know for sure it's best to use a snap cap with a .22. However, in the case of the Ruger Mk II and/or 22/45 it is safe to dry-fire. For full details read the manual for your Mk II. If you don't have one you can download it here -

Ruger Mk II Manual PDF (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/01.pdf)

[Mal H]

Sounds like the salesperson didn't know much about the pistol he or she sold you. It's ok to dry fire a Ruger MkII. It has a built in firing pin stop so that the tip of the FP doesn't peen the edge of the chamber. That is also true for some rimfire firearms and not true for others. IOW, it depends on the design of the particular firearm, pistol or revolver.

Lot's of discussion on the topic in this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35408

[Walt Sherrill]

The salesman was right for MOST .22s, but not for the MKII, 10/45 or 10/22 series guns -- and for a few others. That's because the Ruger guns have a firing pin stop that keeps the pin from dinging the chamber side. Go by what each gun's manual says.

With the MKII, you MUST dry fire when you strip and reassemble it.

[Rival]

That's what I thought! Good point about the manual - did not get to it yet :)

One more thing - I have Winchester 9422 rimfire rifle, but there's no manual for it... Is it safe to dry fire that rifle? It has open hummer so I don't really have to, but it is nice to know...

[10-Ring]

It's okay w/ the Ruger. It is prolly easier for a salesperson to say it's not wise to dry fire the rimfire as a general rule just for simplicity's sake.

[BryanP]

Dunno about your rifle, but I'd start by looking for a manual on Winchester's website.

[Majic]

Use cheap snap caps. Save a fired case and keep it in the chamber. Keep turning case till it is indented all the way around the rim. Then toss it and use another. You will probably never run out of these.