Dry Fireing

[Costa]

I need to work on my trigger pull a little bit to get use to the break on my Geissele SSA. Does it hurt to dry fire. I though about using the caps, but people tell me they are more trouble.

[Variable]

Dry firing an AR is fine as long as you meet two conditions...

1.) Your lower actually has an upper on it. I.E. no dry firing a lower without something to protect it from the hammer.

AND...

2.) (You knew this one was coming ;) I couldn't resist!) It is empty....

So long as you meet those two conditions you can dry fire all you want. It won't hurt a thing.

[JASmith]

Variable -- well said about "empty"!!

Cheers!

[Mutt]

There are some weapons out there that you shouldn't dry fire ...... such as a Colt Double Eagle (double action 1911 pistol) I used to own (regret selling it every day since). The firing pin has a step in it that travels too far when dry fired and hits a similar step in the slide, which damages the firing pin. Most though will not hurt anything by dry firing.

[LRRPF52]

Rimfires also should not be dry fired, since the firing pin hits halfway on the breech, creating uneven wear on the pin, and resulting FTFire in the future.

[stokesrj]

Rimfires also should not be dry fired, since the firing pin hits halfway on the breech, creating uneven wear on the pin, and resulting FTFire in the future.
It is true that some rimfires should not be dryfired. But it is no trouble for some designs. Anshutz match rifles can be dryfired hundreds of thousands of times without damage. They are designed to take it because most serious small bore competitors dryfire more than they live fire. Other rim fires will receive such a peening on the edge of the chamber that it will prevent rounds from being chambered. The key is that the design limits the travel of the firing pin so that it does not contact the chamber edge.

The AR is pretty much immune to dry fire damage other than wearing out the springs more quickly. The AMU requires their shooters to dryfire drill over and over. There is a device that can be inserted into the bolt carrier to absorb shock and make it easier to cock, and reduce the db level of the hammer strike, but hardly anyone I know uses them.

Bob

[Clod Stomper]

It is true that some rimfires should not be dryfired. But it is no trouble for some designs. Anshutz match rifles can be dryfired hundreds of thousands of times without damage. They are designed to take it because most serious small bore competitors dryfire more than they live fire. Other rim fires will receive such a peening on the edge of the chamber that it will prevent rounds from being chambered. The key is that the design limits the travel of the firing pin so that it does not contact the chamber edge.

The AR is pretty much immune to dry fire damage other than wearing out the springs more quickly. The AMU requires their shooters to dryfire drill over and over. There is a device that can be inserted into the bolt carrier to absorb shock and make it easier to cock, and reduce the db level of the hammer strike, but hardly anyone I know uses them.

Bob

What device is this? I won't necessarily buy it, but if it's cheap and easy to install and uninstall, I may.

Thanks,

Will

[Drifter]

What device is this? I won't necessarily buy it, but if it's cheap and easy to install and uninstall, I may.

Thanks,

Will

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/872223/tma-ar-15-dry-fire-device-delrin-orange

[Clod Stomper]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/872223/tma-ar-15-dry-fire-device-delrin-orange

Thank you.