Safe to Dry Fire?

[Confederate]

I've heard conflicting things about whether it's okay to dry fire Ruger single-action revolvers. Some say not to dry fire any .22; others say it's fine to dry fire the Rugers. I hate to dry fire any .22. Anyone have any idea?

 

[Old Fuff]

In theory it is supposed to be safe to dry fire a single-six. However in practice I always fill the chambers with empty cases (and be SURE they are empty) or snap caps. A little insurance never hurts. Other then possibly battering the firing pin and chamber, dry firing won't hurt the gun at all, and may smooth it out a bit.

 

[moewadle]

You probably already know this

but I will tell you that the Ruger book for my New Vaquero (45 Colt) purchased in July 2006 stated that it is harmless to dry fire the gun. However, I do not claim this makes this so true it should be engraved in granite. The book does not mention why it is harmless to do so.

 

[SoCalShooter]

Well in my experience its ok to dry-centerfire but not rimfire!

 

[Old Fuff]

Ruger single action revolvers have the firing pin mounted in the frame. It is retracted by a small, coil spring. If you dry fire with nothing in the chamber the spring may take a beating, although the pin is supposed to be stopped by a shoulder in the firing pin bushing before this happens. So as extra insurance I fill the chambers with FIRED cartridge cases or snap-caps.

In rim-fire models the firing pin is also supposed to stop short of impacting the edge of the chamber, but again I think it's wise to fill the chambers with fired cases or snap-caps. Short of possible damage to the firing pin, firing pin spring and cylinder (and even that's remote) dry firing won't hurt the revolver, and may even smooth the trigger pull out a bit.

 

[bakert]

I do dry fire mine at times but it's probably best to use snap caps. Also Old Fuff mentioned smoothing the trigger pull. That does work and I've found just to block the hammer with your off hand thumb and cock and release with trigger about a jillion times while watching TV(which I don't) or looking out the window watching the neighbor's young wife working in her flower beds.

 

[Majic]

Also Old Fuff mentioned smoothing the trigger pull. That does work and I've found just to block the hammer with your off hand thumb and cock and release with trigger about a jillion times while watching TV

Just remove the cylinder.

BTW....Some Ruger single actions have been known to break the transfer bars while dry firing. It's not a prominent problem, but several people have reported this.