dry-firing autos

[CAnnoneer]

Dry-firing helps diagnose problems with technique. For example, I tend to shoot ~ 2in low left at 8 yd with a 3in group (yeah, I suck). So, the questions are:

1) Is it okay to dry-fire my Ruger KP89T?
2) If not, what are reasonable remedies, e.g. dummy rounds?
3) In general, what autos are safe to dry-fire and with what remedies?

Many thanks!

 

[RyanM]

The manual should tell you if it's safe to dry-fire. They're available online from http://www.ruger.com if you lost yours.

 

[jacobtowne]

I use A-Zoom Snap Caps. They are highly recommended.
JT

 

[Cueball]

+1 for Snap Caps

 

[james481]

Yeah, I don't think that snap-caps are ever a bad idea (just be sure not to have ANY live ammo anywhere near your snap-caps, this has caused more than a few ADs). However, I think in general the rule goes that just about any striker fired semi-auto (ie Glock, Steyr) should be fine to dry fire, while most semi-auto's with a hammer (ie Sig, HK, 1911) should probably be dry-fired with a snap-cap. Consult the user manual of the particular weapon you are curious about. Generally they will say if dry-firing can damage the weapon or not. One thing to note: If you will be dry-firing continually (ie trigger practice at home), it's probably not a bad idea to use snap-caps, as even striker fired semi-autos can have problems with enough dry-firing (probably many thousands of cycles, though).

 

[CAnnoneer]

Hehehe, I combed through the manual and did not find anything on the subject

 

[Bobo]

1) Is it okay to dry-fire my Ruger KP89T?

Don't know -- check your manual or check with Ruger.

2) If not, what are reasonable remedies, e.g. dummy rounds?

Snapcaps work well.
Here is link to one type of snapcap that many people have said they like: A-Zoom
and here is a way to make your own: The Reload Bench -- Make your own snapcaps

3) In general, what autos are safe to dry-fire and with what remedies?

Every one is different -- check with the manufacturer or check the manual.

 

[atblis]

Snap caps are a waste of money.

Why bother when you can do the same thing for free?

Take a scrap piece of paper. Fold it up multiple times into a little rectangle. Wedge it into the back of the slide so that the hammer can't hit the firing pin. Dry fire to your heart's content.

Don't believe me that it works.

Take a pencil slide it down the barrel until it rests against the breech face (with an unloaded gun). Dry fire the gun. The pencil should go flying. Try it with the paper wedge installed.

The pencil thing also works nicely for inspecting used guns before buying.

 

[Black Majik]

Most centerfire autoloaders are ok to dryfire. Just check your manual.

Do not, however, dry fire .22s or any rimfire firearms

 

[JohnKSa]

For my autos with hammers, I cut a piece of thick leather that fits tightly in the channel where the hammer ends up when you pull the trigger. It cushions the hammer hit to the firing pin & slide and will last virtually forever.

 

[YammyMonkey]

Kel Tec specifically says not to dry fire their guns.