Does repeated dry firing damage the gun?

Dry fire is JUST FINE for almost all modern firearms. Rimfires may be damaged that way (check with the manufacturer) and I really wouldn't do it (unless the maker specifically says it is ok) but centerfires are safe.

Dryfiring is just about the best way to get your handgun skills closer to where they should be!

Sam1911 said:

Dry fire is JUST FINE for almost all modern firearms. Rimfires may be damaged that way (check with the manufacturer) and I really wouldn't do it (unless the maker specifically says it is ok) but centerfires are safe.

Dryfiring is just about the best way to get your handgun skills closer to where they should be!

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But read the manual. Some guns are the exception. I know this is in the revolver section but the Ruger SR9 for example states to not dry-fire without snap caps.

As a general rule I agree with Sam1911. I dry fire "MOST" of my guns a lot. Never owned a snapcap, and have never had a problem. But there are some where dry fire should be limited, or not at all. The S&W revolvers with hammer mounted firing pins are one of the ones that I'd dry fire, but would probably limit the number of times. Newer revolvers with the floating firing pin will not be effected.

This directly from S&W FAQ:
Can I dry fire my S&W handgun?

Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?

A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41.

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.

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http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...750001_750051_757815_-1_757814_757812_image#2

rc

Most modern rimfires are designed so the firing pin cannot ding the chamber when dry-fired.
Including all modern S&W revolvers & pistols.

S&W rimfire revolvers just may break firing pins if dry-fired a lot is all.

If it breaks, it can fly forward far enough to ding the chamber though.

rc

The RUGER® SR-SERIES pistols can be dryfired
without damage to the striker or other components as long as an empty
magazine is inserted.

I know this is in the revolver section but the Ruger SR9 for example states to not dry-fire without snap caps.

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Manual says you can dryfire an SR9 as long as an empty magazine is inserted.



Oops, carbonyl beat me to it

All Ruger double action revolvers and new model single action revolvers can be dry fired.

Mark III Colt revolvers should not be dry fired. I also would not dry fire any of their 22 revolvers, ever.

As in most things, it all depends on what you mean by "repeated."

If you mean dry-firing the cylinder holes once a week, more than likely no problem. Most likely, even once a day, no problem. If you mean doing it 1,000 times a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, then, yes, there will be a problem.

That's what Snap Caps are for.

I'm waiting on the chamber ironing swage to come in so I can repair the end of my barrel in my .22. DON"T DRY FIRE RIMFIRE GUNS!!!

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-ironing-swage-sku590-009-022-8869-21977.aspx

Jim

My .22 Ruger Mark II has a crosspin in the bolt that prevents the firing pin point from hitting the chamber. If I were to accidentally leave that pin out then dry-fire my gun, one shot would most likely ruin the firing pin and possibly the outer edge of the chamber as well.

I stuck a firing pin in full forward position in my sp101 by dry firing. Finally freed it up with plenty of lube.

That's what Snap Caps are for.

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^^use 'em^^

It depends upon the design of the gun. I dry fire Glocks and 1911's all day long without a Snap-Cap. I dry fired my SIG P220 (new model, milled slide) less than 100 times and snapped the slide pin (which had been changed by SIG from a roll pin). I have no qualms about dry firing a P220 with roll pins with nothing in the chamber--I did it tens of thousands of times with my first P220. My Ruger revolvers all work fine with dry fire on an empty chamber. I never the hammer of any rimfire gun fall on an empty chamber if at all possible. I never dry fire them for practice.

However, new S&W revolvers with frame mounted pins cannot take the stress. I broke one on my 625 from dry fire and two on my Model 27 (the one with eight shots). The gun had been dry fired in the store and the pin shattered on the second shot on the first range trip. S&W replaced it and I broke it dry firing a second time a few hundred trigger pulls later. (This led to the conclusion regarding the first pin.)

I now use AZOOM Snap-Caps for all dry firing. The reason I use them is for safety and incidental reduced stress on the gun. Using a Snap-Cap forces me to open the action, verify the gun is empty, and insert an inert Snap-Cap into the chamber. This guarantees the gun will not discharge. I made this part of my dry firing procedure and it seems to work well.

marksg said:

Manual says you can dryfire an SR9 as long as an empty magazine is inserted.



Oops, carbonyl beat me to it

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I read that too, but I called Ruger to verify and they said to use snap caps.

Do you think they are just trying to CYA?

In an auto or shotgun or lever action or other firearms that eject spent casings as a normal course of shooting, snap caps can be kind of a pain. But in a revolver, I never saw a reason not to use em. You put em in and dry fire for hours. Dont have to pick them up and reload every 5 or 6 shots like if you were using a levergun. Makes it a lot more appetizing.

Dryfiring is just about the best way to get your handgun skills closer to where they should be!

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+1 to this. I'd be a pretty bad shot if I didn't dry fire, and "play" with my handguns at home. I saftey check the heck out of them so no one needs to inform me that "playing" is showing a disregard for safety. It really helps with speed as well.

Kel Tec says no dry firing in the owners manual for P-11 and P-3AT

mesinge2 said:

I read that too, but I called Ruger to verify and they said to use snap caps.

Do you think they are just trying to CYA?

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I'm not trying to start an argument but since I do a significant amount of dry firing I became concerned after reading Ruger said to use snap caps so I also asked.

Thank you for using the Ruger On-Line Customer Support Request Form.

This e-mail is in response to your question or comment of 02/03/2013
Request No: 179504

Comment / question:

According to the manual the only requirement for dry firing a sr9 is to have the empty magazine in place I was told that you also recommend the use of snap caps. Is this also the case? Thanks for any information and your time.

Jeff

Response:
Thank you for your inquiry. You do not have to use snap caps.

If you need further information, please visit our website at www.ruger.com or contact us at:

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My 2cts, for what they're worth :
Never dry fire any rimfire gun.
Dry firing is great to practice trigger control ; Use snapcaps or FIRED cases.
For one thing, filled chambers help immobilize the extractor star.
For another thing : I did break a few firing pins , and although it is next to impossible to tell for sure, I suspect it was the result of dry firing over empty chambers too much.
So why not avoid the unnecessary risk ?