Quick Tip: Is Dry Firing OK?

Published on March 25, 2020
Duration: 4:37

Dry firing modern rimfire and centerfire firearms is generally safe due to built-in safety mechanisms or design. However, older rimfire firearms and vintage revolvers, particularly those with integral hammer-mounted firing pins like some Colts, should not be dry fired to prevent damage. For any uncertainty, using snap caps is a recommended practice to protect the firing pin.

Quick Summary

Dry firing modern rimfire and centerfire firearms is generally safe. However, older rimfire firearms and vintage revolvers with integral hammer firing pins should not be dry fired to prevent damage. Using snap caps is recommended for any uncertainty.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Dry Firing Safety
  2. 00:15Risks of Dry Firing Older Rimfire Firearms
  3. 01:18Safety of Dry Firing Modern Rimfire Firearms
  4. 01:57Centerfire Firearms: Safe to Dry Fire?
  5. 02:49Revolvers and Vintage Firearms: Dry Fire Caution
  6. 03:25Using Snap Caps for Safe Dry Firing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I dry fire my modern rimfire rifle like a Ruger 10/22?

Yes, most modern rimfire firearms, including the Ruger 10/22 and Mark series pistols, are generally safe to dry fire. They typically have built-in firing pin stops that prevent the pin from striking the chamber edge, thus avoiding damage.

Is it safe to dry fire centerfire firearms such as AR-15s or handguns?

Yes, centerfire firearms like AR-15s, AKs, shotguns, and most handguns are designed to be safely dry fired. When no cartridge is present, the firing pin strikes empty space within the chamber, posing no risk of damage.

Should I avoid dry firing older rimfire firearms?

Yes, it is generally discouraged to dry fire older rimfire firearms like certain Mossberg or High Standard models. The firing pin can be harder than the barrel's chamber edge, potentially causing peening and leading to feeding or extraction issues.

What are snap caps and when should I use them?

Snap caps are dummy cartridges designed to absorb the impact of the firing pin during dry firing. They are recommended for any firearm where dry firing safety is a concern, or to provide an extra layer of protection for the firing pin and chamber.

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