Clarification Needed on Dry Firing

[xiyoyos]

Hi everyone,

I've been doing some research on dry firing and I'm a bit confused. Specifically, I want to understand the impact of dry firing on different types of firearms. I know that dry firing is often used as a training tool, but I've heard mixed opinions about its safety.

Some say it's harmless, while others suggest it might cause damage over time. Can anyone provide insights into whether dry firing could potentially harm your firearm, and if so, what precautions should be taken? Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[koxom]

Hello.

Dry firing is generally safe for centerfire firearms (like most modern pistols and rifles), and it's widely used for training without live ammo. That said, when it comes to dry firing, the type of firearm matters. Rimfire firearms (like .22 LR) are more sensitive—dry firing them can cause the firing pin to strike the edge of the chamber, potentially leading to damage over time.

To protect your firearm, consider using snap caps—dummy rounds that cushion the firing pin impact. I've dry fired my centerfire pistols for years without issues, but I always use snap caps for rimfires. Hope this helps!