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Dry firing, both 1911 and AR

Drummer79

Drummer79

Red Skull Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Member Number
1208
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454
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Washington, NC
Depending on what I read and where, sometimes they say sure dry firing is fine, no big deal, other places say it can cause damage long term. Is dry firing inherently bad? with all the shooters and ex military in here and all, I figured this is probably the best place I can get a sure fire answer. Are snap caps worth it? or just drop hammer on used brass? Or just dry fire? With ammo prices like they are I'd like to be practicing getting sight picture and firing as much as possible, especially with the 1911 because it's new to me, without blowing through hundreds of rounds. Thoughts? Ideas?
 
i like snap caps, i think they are fun and add something to mix in during range time.

you won't break anything dry firing a 1911 or AR though

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I’ve never dry fired a 1911, but I don’t see where it would hurt. I have a former GI issue 1911 (dates back to 1944), I’m sure it’s been dry fired a few times.

We used to dry fire M-16s all the time. We would do a drill where the shooter would lay in a prone position with his rifle pointed “down range”. An assistant would balance a dime on the barrel of the shooters rifle. When the shooter pulled the trigger correctly, the coin would remain balanced on the barrel. If the shooter jerked the trigger, the coin would fall off. I never had a M-16 fail to go bang when I pulled the trigger.
 
I have dry fired most of my stuff (including ARs and my 1911) without breaking/flattening/mushrooming anything. However, just not to excess. If you are concerned, get a de-primed (or un-primed if you prefer) case and jam an eraser from a mechanical pencil into the primer pocket and trim flush.
 
IEATRKS84 said:
You can pretty much dry fry everything except for 22lr stuff. You not harming anything by dry firing that isnt normal wear and tear for most firearms. The reasoning i have heard for 22lr stuff is that the firing pin is meant to deform the edge of the case on a 22lr. If there is no case in the chamber the firing pin can travel too far and break itself agaisnt the bolt face.
Click to expand...

I think you mean the chamber, .22 fp are flat.
 
I thought that 22lr dry firing concern was preening the chamber edge with the firing pin?

Dry firing a 1911 is no problem. Dropping the slide on an empty chamber is not supposed to be good for it though IIRC. The chambering cartridge acts as a buffer for the slide action, preventing impact against the frame, I think?
 
Modern centerfires dry firing should not be an issue. There are a couple exceptions but rare. Sure it might cause an issue after 20k dry fires, but its like wearing out barrels - those worried about it never will.

What will actually screw up a 1911 the worst I have found is dropping a round in the chamber and closing the slide on it. The extractors do not like it one bit.
 
Like everyone else has said, not going to hurt a 1911 or AR. I use snap caps, because they are cheap insurance and a handy training aid.

Someone already posted the laser trainer rounds.

There are certain other firearms that should not be dry fired any more than is necessary.
Some examples are the CZ-52, early sig p365. Most of these are old firearms with brittle firing pins.
Dry firing a 22 without a recess machined into the chamber face can damage the chamber face.
 
Johann said:
I thought that 22lr dry firing concern was preening the chamber edge with the firing pin?

Dry firing a 1911 is no problem. Dropping the slide on an empty chamber is not supposed to be good for it though IIRC. The chambering cartridge acts as a buffer for the slide action, preventing impact against the frame, I think?
Click to expand...
not the frame, the little tiny ears on the bottom of the barrel
you know where the dangly link is pinned? slide stops forward momentum against those li'l nubs on the bottom of the ears

prolly never actually cause issue in real life, but in engineervision™; it's a travesty and a terrible design
 
on the .22 thing, rugers (mk2 and 10/22 at least) are fine to dry fire, they got firing pin stops in the bolt that keep the FP off the barrel
 
There are also a few striker fired pistols that use a pin/roll pin through the striker to retain it and dry firing causes the striker to make excessive contact with the striker and it can break the pin over time.
 
my 22lr snap caps are good for about half a dozen or so "dry fires" before they are wore out and need replaced, in general. Just keep a rod handy to force them out when they get stuck and won't extract anymore :laughing:
 
Buy snap caps for the 1911.
id dry fire the ar as long as the bolt is in it. I wouldn’t do it on just the lower. LaRue tactical sell some gimmick for firing with just the trigger group.
 
I use dummy rounds and snap caps for both. My NM Garand as well. If I’m closing the action on an empty chamber I ride the slide or charging handle so it doesn’t slam home at full speed.
AK’s get no mercy.
 
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