Dry firing?

[kwilliams]

There is an awfull lot of talk about dry firing to practice. I was always tought to not dry fire any weapon. Now I doubt that there is much harm done to the rimfires, dry firing, but on center fire rifles? Do you use snap caps or just cycle empty and listen for that metal on metal click?

[Old Dog]

My military style/surplus rifles aren't hurt by dryfiring.

The 10/22's are designed so the firing pin does not contact the chamber when dry firing.

So no issues there.

However, some rimfire rifles can be damaged by dryfiring. 

No, no snap caps used.

[MeanStreaker]

Centerfire should have no problem at all.  That's because the firing pin is in the center and it won't hit anything.

With some rimfires, you have to research first to see if it's OK because the firing pin could impact metal when dry firing since the firing pin is not in the center.

Ruger 10/22's have no problem dry firing millions of times.

[Bob Womack]

The 10/22's are designed so the firing pin does not contact the chamber when dry firing.

So no issues there.

OT - Given this, does anyone have any idea if the Ruger MkII, .22 cal target pistols are built the same way?  Is it okay to dry fire them as well?

Bob

[Wheeler44]

O

T - Given this, does anyone have any idea if the Ruger MkII, .22 cal target pistols are built the same way?  Is it okay to dry fire them as well?

Go to Rimfirecentral.com they have all of the answers...Since you must "dryfire" a markII to dis assemble them I'd guess that limited "dryfiring" is OK.....

I have read (on Rimfirecentral) that with any of the Rugers..The pin that keeps the firing pin from hitting the chamber will bend with repeated "dryfiring" and should be checked occasionally since chamber damage is possible.

Wheeler44

[douglas34474]

Just pulled my Mk 1 down and checked. The FP can not hit the breech face, the cross pin prevents this from happening.

IMHO, it would take a lot to bend the cross pin from dry firing.

HTH

Douglas

[Colorado Pete]

Once upon a time I read that dry-firing a Winchester 94 lever gun could cause the firing pin to break. Having just done a little dry firing with my 94, I immediately examined it and sure enough the pin was broken. So with some guns, even though centerfire, it can happen. Most military designs are designed to be dry-fired by troops as part of their training program, so those tend to be quite a bit more robust.

[funfaler]

Snap caps are a good investment.

They work well for Ball and dummy, you can even set yourself up by loading several mags with the cap in different positions, then mix up the mags.

Also, more difficult to have a ND if you have a snap cap in the chamber.....but still must be careful.

Finally, they come in pretty colors, which make them fun 

Far from being required, but for $9, ain't going to break the bank to get a pack.

[kwilliams]

Thanks for the imput! I think I will pick up a few snap caps just to play it safe. I have never damaged anything by NOT dryfiring and who knows might even spot a flinching problem or two. They're cheap- I think the local shop had like a 10 pack for less than $12. Thanks again, I really enjoy learning from others' experience.