Saw A Sign at a Gun Store in Coudersport, PA

[JR24]

would you buy a new gun if the guy behind the counter told you it was dry fired over 50 times? because that is what will happen if all are allowed to dry fire

If it's not a rimfire? I'd be fine with it, heck they might dry fire it that many times at the factory.

Either way I'll dry fire it many more times that night, getting used to the trigger.

EDIT: talking pistols, don't much dry fire rifles

 

[lysanderxiii]

If you're a serious buyer, they'll probably make an exception. If you're a tire kicker, probably not.

I don't let things like that bother me.

 

[Hanzo581]

I primarily buy my guns online, so this policy wouldn't bother me, but the only time I'd say something about a stores policy is if it honestly had an affect on my purchasing decision, I wouldn't just toss my unsolicited advice at them.

I've actually told customers to go ahead and test the trigger and they are often taken aback. Oh no, I'd never do that. So the "it'll damage the gun" myth is still alive and well out there. Hell I still use snap caps even knowing I don't have to.

 

[coloradokevin]

Personally speaking here, if I'm buying a gun in person I'm going to try the trigger. Almost all modern guns can be safely dry fired, and many can safely handle this activity tens of thousands of times. If the gun store's policy is so stupid and antiquated as to not allow for such a practice, I'll buy elsewhere.

Yeah, obviously that option doesn't exist for online purchases, but that's not what we were discussing here anyway.

 

[coloradokevin]

would you buy a new gun if the guy behind the counter told you it was dry fired over 50 times? because that is what will happen if all are allowed to dry fire

Absolutely. Some of my guns have had over ten thousand dry fires... it means nothing to most modern firearms, even if the old guard codgers in the industry want us to believe otherwise. There are exceptions to this 'rule', but most modern guns will suffer no ill effects from being dry fired at the gun counter.

 

[salt&battery]

it seems everyone wants a target trigger on every gun they want. I feel triggers way overated and Tubbs said you can get used to any trigger, when they tested 45/70 loads at 1000 yds -2 miles on the beach at sandy hook the trigger pull was 8lbs with an 1 1/2 hammer fall using iron sights and the guy made hits. astounding shooting

 

[MichaelS.]

I ALWAYS ask first, but if I'm plunking down good money for a firearm and I can't dry fire to test the trigger on the example I'm wanting to buy, then I'll do an about face and buy elsewhere.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Some guns are designed for dry fire practice. (Clearly stated in the Ruger Security-Six user manual for instance.)
Some guns are not and can be damaged by dropping the hammer on anything other than a cartridge or snap cap. (Dry firing CZ-52 frequently breaks firing pins.)
I don't dry fire a gun without a snapcap unless the maker assures it was designed for dryfire practice. I don't assume.
A blanket ban on dry firing covers all.
Some buyers insist that NIB means no signs of cycling after the proof test/sight zero at the factory. A new gun that's been dry fired by every browser who enters the shop could end up looking like a used gun.

 

[muzzleblast...]

I would never buy a gun without trying the trigger, several times. Go elsewhere.

Agreed.

 

[PaFrank]

Once upon a time, many years ago, i worked at a gunshop where the owner did not allow that on new revolvers only. He didn't want the drag marks on the cylinder. A lot of guys back in the day were fussy about that, especially with high end smiths and colts, but Auto's, no problem.
The local shop I visit these days, will allow me to dry fire (but I only ever look at autos) but I always put my thumb under the hammer... I just want to feel the trigger, I don't need to hear it hit.

 

[wojownik]

At one particular gun store that I think was the new enterprise of a young couple I saw a large sign on the counter that said, "PLEASE DO NOT DRY FIRE OUR GUNS"...

Meh. If someone was seen as a serious customer, and asked to dry fire, I bet they'd probably say yes.
The sign probably gives the an easy out to point to for the casual window-shopper ... those folks that are clearly not serious about buying, but want to fondle things.

I did have a short dealing with one store who didn't even like customers touching the wares. I asked to see a handgun, and the gent took out a cloth, laid it out, laid the pistol on the cloth, and said "there ya go, but don't touch it please." Yeah, took my business elsewhere. I thought it was funny as heck, though.

 

[Danoobie]

And you're right, wojownik. MOST of us just want to gently handle the gun. BUT, there are
some abusive FREAKS out there, who have no intention of buying, and they just intentionally
thrash new guns, for no good reason.
So, as usual, shopkeepers are only trying to protect themselves, and we all have to suffer, for
the sake of a few conscienceless, talent-less jack-faces.

 

[Hokkmike]

Would any of you buy a car without driving it, or purchase a pair of shoes without trying on first one shoe, then the other? The trigger is such an integral and vital part of the comfort, efficiency, accuracy, and SAFETY of a gun that, in my mind anyway, you have to know, at the very least, the weight, travel, and grittiness, of the trigger pull. To me this means carefully and attentively testing the trigger at least 3 or 4 times. I am not in favor of just snapping the trigger repeatedly without careful attention to what is happening. No dry fire = no sale.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Ask first. They can always say no.

 

[BSA1]

I did have a short dealing with one store who didn't even like customers touching the wares. I asked to see a handgun, and the gent took out a cloth, laid it out, laid the pistol on the cloth, and said "there ya go, but don't touch it please." Yeah, took my business elsewhere. I thought it was funny as heck, though.

I would have took out my credit card, laid it beside the gun and said "There you go. Don't touch it please."

 

[JR24]

I was at a LGS the other day to pick up some brass and decided to browse a bit.

Despite my clear indications that I was just looking, the nice dudes at the counter were happy to talk shop and pull a myriad guns for me to try, dry dry dire too. Several they just pulled on their own to show me some nice new triggers out there (the Canik target model had a very nice trigger for a striker).

Guess I like places like that, I'll have to be back to use their range and a few rentals some day soon.

Once I get over my new Sig P229.

 

[Demi-human]

I have just purchased a Browning Buckmark for a very good price. I did not notice that it had been dry fired a few times. Evidently there is no firing pin stop, as there is a mark above the chamber on the breech face. I am unconcerned, since it is not deep or peened into the opening. But I do wish they were more careful. I release the trigger mechanism on my firearms, so I must remember to save an empty case after the fun.
I will ask first to test the trigger. And dryfire only those which the manufacturer states is harmless. Many, many firearms are just fine, some are not. Never hurts to ask.