OK to dry fire a Mossberg 500?

[MR.G]

Is it ok to dry fire a Mossberg 500 pump, or will it damage the gun?
I bought a used 500 Cruiser eight shot with the 20" barrel yesterday. The guy I bought it from said that it had never been shot, but he had dry fired it some. I am a little concerned about the dry firing.

 

[throdgrain]

Its fine.

 

[SASS#23149]

I once broke a firing pin while dry firing a gun,and for the most part I do not do it anymore.The friing pin needs a cushion to hit against it seems.

ymmv,etc

 

[sacp81170a]

If you've ever taken the firing pin out of a Mossy or a Remington, you wouldn't have to ask this question. Both are pretty big hunks of metal. The most common problem you have with dry firing and damaging the firing pin is with rim fire weapons. With them it's a big no-no. That said, I still use snap caps if I'm dry firing a lot, because it usually means I'm also practicing the complete manual of arms with a particular weapon, which makes snap caps a necessity. Basically, if it will hurt something to dry fire it, the manufacturer will usually say so in the owner's manual.

 

[throdgrain]

Yeah. On double barrelled guns the firing pins sticks out from a flat piece of metal and is easily broke.
This is not the case with a pump or semi auto.

 

[esmith]

Dry firing a rimfire and centerfire are two different situations. If you dry fire a rimfire rifle the firing pin slams into the side of the chamber (which is a lot harder metal than brass), both ending up being damaged. Most centerfires should be good to dry fire.