Reading Tam’s blog this morning, I discovered that there is still a largely overblown fear of damaging firearms by dry firing a handgun. ‘Damaging guns by dry-fire’ seems to be the gun hobby’s version of ‘I woke up in a bathtub filled with ice-water and one of my kidneys was stolen.” While it may be possible, it is highly improbable.
I’ve carried a gun professionally since 1995. In 15 years, I have personally dry fired dozens of guns, including Glocks, Sigs, and Smith & Wessons – thousands of times each.
In every police academy and agency I have been associated with, firearms training included dry fire training, mostly without snap caps. These academies and agencies have trained thousands of cops.
To date, I have not encountered a single officer, agency, or academy instructor who has experienced or seen first-hand any damage resulting to any modern handgun. Although you should check your owner’s manual, I’m very comfortable with saying that modern pistols can be dry fired with little possibility of damage.
I have previously written about the benefits of dry firing on this site and at BlueSheepdog.
Keep in mind, I am talking about modern, defensive handguns. If you have an H&H double rifle, that may be a completely different tale.
Surviving the Street: Guide to Concealed Carry of a Firearm
Essential information on concealed carry. This book has just the basics - not a lot of fluff to get bogged down in. Easy to read, Surviving the Street introduces the reader to the important information you need as an armed citizen.
The author presents frank information about self defense in a way that is easy to understand and use.
About Richard
Richard Johnson is a gun writer, police trainer and really bad joke teller. Check out his other writing on sites like Human Events, The Firearm Blog and BlueSheepdog.
If you can afford the gun, i’m sure it won’t break the bank to get parts for it if something were to happen to it….Not that it anything ever would. I dont even know how may times i’ve dry fired, But I know I’ve never had any problems by doing so.
I completely agree, with one exception. Rimfires. Some, but not all, rimfires will impact the outside of the chamber pretty good, eventually causing many misfires. As recommended, read the manual.
Two comments:
1- I agree with your post, but point out that .22s can actually be damaged by dry firing as the firing pin will eventually dent the chamber.
2- It’s not so much the issue itself as the attitude of one of the participants: “If you don’t abide by my predjudices, you must be a total idiot”… Sorry, even if you had been right you’ve still persuaded me that you’re not worth paying attention to.