Dry Firing

[Tango45]

Want to inquire if one can dry fire a 1911 or any other handgun without damaging the firearm. During the 1950's when I learned to hunt quail and rabbits in a rural area, I was told "do not dry fire your gun, you will break the firing pin". Does anyone know if dry firing (without a spent case in the chamber) will or will damage the firearm. Thanks.

[Frank]

In general, dry firing most handguns won't harm them. Certainly the 1911 and most other auto-loaders will tolerate quite a bit of dry firing. So will most, modern revolvers. That said, when I plan on a period of serious dry fire practice, I tend to use a snap cap.

However, you should not dry fire a Colt Single Action Army (or clone) without snap caps. Nor should you dry fire a break open shotgun without snap caps.

DVC

[Joni Lynn]

I use snap caps but I keep hearing people say that it's okay to dry fire a 1911.

[elijdub]

From what i've read on the forum, it seems that it's OK to dry-fire centerfire operated guns, but NOT rimfire's (?). Does this make sense to anyone? I'd sure love a definitive answer, once and for all ;)!

However, you should not dry fire a Colt Single Action Army (or clone) without snap caps. Nor should you dry fire a break open shotgun without snap caps.
Hey Frank, Would you mind elaborating on why it's best not to dry-fire either of these guns? I am most concerned with the break-action shotgun (as i spend my autumn's "uplanding" ;)).

[Taildraggerdave]

The reason not to dryfire rimfire weapons is because the firing pin hits the back of the chamber instead of the rim of the case. This either damages the firing pin and/or the chamber face over time.
Take care,
Dave

[garrettwc]

Your question is a two part answer.

Part 1 - it is fine to dry fire the 1911. No issues for years.

Part 2 - other guns are hit and miss. Some work fine. Some will break. Rimfires are a definite no-no. Same with the Beretta 92/96 guns, dry fire will break them. I have a handful of snap caps in 9MM and 45ACP, so for anything not a 1911 I play it safe and use them.

[Frank]

With revolvers like the Single Action Army and with most types of break open shotguns, if the hammer is dropped without a primer (or snap cap) to cushion the fall, the firing pin or hammer will hit the frame or the firing pin bushing with some force. Depending on the particular gun, that could lead to breaking the firing pin, the hammer or the frame/firing pin bushing.

I have a couple of Colt SSAs I used for CAS, and I always used snap caps for dry practice. I also have a number of break action shotguns. My competition trap gun is a Perazzi Combo and my usual field gun is a Bernardelli side lock SXS. I always use snap caps when I drop the hammers for storage.

I kind of like Garrett's approach -- always use snap caps except, perhaps with a 1911.

DVC

[Tango45]

Thanks for the info. I will purchase some snap caps for my "peace of mind".

[Rich-D]

My competition trap gun is a Perazzi Combo
DVC

A Perazzi Combo, that settles it! Your treat at Bookbinders! :D


Rich

[Frank]

A Perazzi Combo, that settles it! Your treat at Bookbinders! ...
And here I've been out of a job for over year -- you're tough Rich.

DVC

[Mastiff]

FWIW. The CZ-52 has a very brittle firing pin. Dry-firing just a few times can break it.

[aznxtroplx]

So from the posts, 1911 yes to dry fire
Rim fire - No
92fs - No

What about AR15, 12 gauge, and SKS (sorry this is non 1911 related but I want to know)

[SAWBONES]

Dry firing the 1911 is "OK" in the amount I do it. :)

[CryingWolf]

Check the manual!!! SA mentions Dry Firing at least twice in their manual. Also, from my Ruger MKIII manual, "the pistol can be dry fired as long as the firing pin stop is in place".

[BillyD]

+1 CryingWolf he is correct>>> I noticed recently in my manual for my Springer..

and my brother is a huge Ruger man and he has told me Ruger makes all Their handguns as to where dry firing will not harm them according to him Ruger recomends that you practic by dry firing

[Ping Ping]

...however minor, is that in dry firing a 1911, you are effectively hyperextending the firing pin through the breech. With nothing in front of it to stop the firing pin, the pin has to rely on the rear aperture of the mortise hole to stop it. Over time, this can cause wear, in the form of cylindrical scoring around the shaft of the pin, unless the inside of the mortise hole has been chamfered (only found in a few full custom guns). This can cause sticking and I have seen everything from broken firing pins, to pin stops falling out in IDPA and USPSA, where dropping the hammer before reholstering is required. I have come to ask everytime, "You do a lot of dryfire, don't you?" "Of course. Why?"

Another reason to use snap caps, other than preventing potential pin wear, is that they afford more realsitic practice via muscle memory. Snap caps and dummy rounds are weighted. Practicing with a mag full of them more closely resembles the weight of a loaded gun. Especially where mag change drills are concerned, this is important, if not essential.

[ranburr]

So from the posts, 1911 yes to dry fire
Rim fire - No
92fs - No

What about AR15, 12 gauge, and SKS (sorry this is non 1911 related but I want to know)

1911 no problem.
Rimfire, don't do.
92fs, all I can say is, we did tens of thousands of dry fires with M9s without issue.

ranburr

[dogdollar]

"LIMIT .45 auto dry firing - no matter who says it is okay"
- Jerry Kuhnhausen, The Colt 45 Automatic - A Shop Manual (Heritage VSP Publishers, 1990), p.11

[Rich-D]

A strong argument against dry firing is provided by ping ping & dogdollar. Although some makers gun manuels state otherwise, it certainly appears to be a good idea to utilize snap caps.


Rich

[BillyD]

are there any major parts that would likely be harmed by dry firing?

the reason I ask is because if the main risk is to the firing pin that is no big deal (unless you have a collectable) it is a cheap part that can be changed in minutes. And while I would normally utilize snap caps there are just many times when they are not around, their at home and i'm not..

so that is why the question

[ranburr]

If your pistol won't handle dry firing without a snap cap, it is pretty much worthless. The 1911 has been dry fired in military circles for over 100yrs without snap caps, without issue. Generally speaking, we were always taught to do 70% of training with dry fire and 30% live fire. During the Clinton yrs, we did more like 90% dry fire due to no funding for practice ammo.

ranburr

[BillyD]

so can I assume that nothing major can be harmed by dry firing. most of the danger lies with the firing pin or other easily replaced parts.

[Zoidberg]

I was told the Kel-Tecs are not receptive to dry firing.

I have snap caps for all my guns (except the Kel-Tec). Mostly for magazine drills.