Don't dry fire your pistol!

[mpmiller37]

That's what Springfield told me, avoid dry firing blah blah ... I've read the debates.
I'm neurotic about constantly checking my firearm to see if there is a chambered bullet, every time I pick it up to go out (before inserting mag), and when I get home and drop the mag for storage. I do that by pulling the slide back, which sets the trigger (forgive my terminology). Then I pull the trigger to release it (dry fire). Note: I don't carry it around with a cambered bullet. BUT Springfield (and other manufacturers) say avoid dry firing. I don't understand how I'm going to avoid this. I tried pulling the slide back only slightly to get a look, but the trigger is set even if slide is opened just a little. How can I feel good about safety by checking the chamber when I grab and store my firearm, but not dry fire the thing? I haven't been into firearms very long so cut me some slack.

 

[Michigander08]

Use snap cap. Do you really want to keep the pistol forever? No. There is no point because you don't last forever.

 

[mpmiller37]

That's what someone else told me, BUT I don't see where snap caps are involved in this scenario. My post stated that I check the chamber before leaving the house (before I insert mag), and when I get home after I drop the mag. What does that have to do with snap caps?

 

[owldo]

You need a de-cocker !

 

[Michigander08]

ohhhh, It doesn't hurt to dry fire to "decock" if you need it. It isn't like you will do it millions of times.

 

[mpmiller37]

So is this a common problem that gun owners don't worry about? Just check it as often as I like and dry fire it, and don't worry about it? I'd rather not modify the pistols.

 

[wilcam47]

Honestly, i dont worry about it. If its an old CZ52 yeah sure.

 

[Michigander08]

So is this a common problem that gun owners don't worry about? Just check it as often as I like and dry fire it, and don't worry about it? I'd rather not modify the pistols.

Yeah don't worry about it. There are some pistols that have decocker like Walther P99 (striker fire) or hammer fire where you unload magazine and making sure chamber is empty then lower the hammer with your pinching fingers while slowly pull the trigger.

It depends on what pistol you have.

 

[mpmiller37]

I have a Glock 17 and a HellCat pro.

 

[rseymorejr]

My carry gun stays loaded so I don't thonk too much about it

 

[River02]

Just dry fire the thing after your admin chamber checks-- . But seriously don't understand why you're doing the admin checks if you're not/never carrying with a chambered round .

 

[Michigander08]

I have a Glock 17 and a HellCat pro.

Buy 3 more pistols and you start "not caring about damaging" too much. LOL

I was neurotic like you until I realize pistols are just piece of metal and tools. I'm not saying you throw it on concrete floor...squeezing trigger now and then to decocking is nothing.

 

[TI-tick]

Some 22 Pistols have fragile firing pins and dry fire is not recommended as I've found from experience.
But other than that; perhaps Hunter Biden should have dry fired.

 

[Mr. Ed]

That's what someone else told me, BUT I don't see where snap caps are involved in this scenario.

To address your point, if you're concerned about dry firing, inserting a snap cap will absorb the energy from the firing pin when you pull the trigger. I agree with others, that dry firing is not harmful to most modern pistols (not sure about revolvers, though).

 

[smokey]

To clarify... you ARE carrying the pistol, but without a round in the chamber AND with the striker decocked?

 

[wilcam47]

That's what Springfield told me, avoid dry firing blah blah ... I've read the debates.
I'm neurotic about constantly checking my firearm to see if there is a chambered bullet, every time I pick it up to go out (before inserting mag), and when I get home and drop the mag for storage. I do that by pulling the slide back, which sets the trigger (forgive my terminology). Then I pull the trigger to release it (dry fire). Note: I don't carry it around with a cambered bullet. BUT Springfield (and other manufacturers) say avoid dry firing. I don't understand how I'm going to avoid this. I tried pulling the slide back only slightly to get a look, but the trigger is set even if slide is opened just a little. How can I feel good about safety by checking the chamber when I grab and store my firearm, but not dry fire the thing? I haven't been into firearms very long so cut me some slack.

Springfield xd's have a chambered cartridge indicator and if the firing pin is cocked indicator.

 

[Darkemp]

That's what Springfield told me, avoid dry firing blah blah ... I've read the debates.
I'm neurotic about constantly checking my firearm to see if there is a chambered bullet, every time I pick it up to go out (before inserting mag), and when I get home and drop the mag for storage. I do that by pulling the slide back, which sets the trigger (forgive my terminology). Then I pull the trigger to release it (dry fire). Note: I don't carry it around with a cambered bullet. BUT Springfield (and other manufacturers) say avoid dry firing. I don't understand how I'm going to avoid this. I tried pulling the slide back only slightly to get a look, but the trigger is set even if slide is opened just a little. How can I feel good about safety by checking the chamber when I grab and store my firearm, but not dry fire the thing? I haven't been into firearms very long so cut me some slack.

Safety process is fine- but you really should carry chambered like everyone else is calling out.

I dry fire everything, have for as long as I’ve been shooting and hasn’t hurt anything. It’s cheap and free practice of trigger pull.

 

[alucard0822]

That's what Springfield told me, avoid dry firing blah blah ... I've read the debates.
I'm neurotic about constantly checking my firearm to see if there is a chambered bullet, every time I pick it up to go out (before inserting mag), and when I get home and drop the mag for storage. I do that by pulling the slide back, which sets the trigger (forgive my terminology). Then I pull the trigger to release it (dry fire). Note: I don't carry it around with a cambered bullet. BUT Springfield (and other manufacturers) say avoid dry firing. I don't understand how I'm going to avoid this. I tried pulling the slide back only slightly to get a look, but the trigger is set even if slide is opened just a little. How can I feel good about safety by checking the chamber when I grab and store my firearm, but not dry fire the thing? I haven't been into firearms very long so cut me some slack.

Dry firing won't damage modern center-fire pistols. Manufacturers usually state to not dry fire, not carry a loaded firearm, not to use reloaded ammo and a bunch of other CYA stuff that aren't really true. IMO, constantly dry firing when clearing it several times a day, and hoping you have the time to draw, rack, and fire in a defensive situation, those practices are dangerous. Much safer to load it, chamber and all, and leave it alone in the holster, or secured at home. Pretty much every ND I have seen were by someone dry firing a "cleared" pistol. Especially if you train to dry fire every time you drop the slide vs knowing it's loaded, and keeping your finger off the trigger.

 

[Art3]

Last step of unloading, per Glock manual.

I don't know what Springfield says.

Most trainers and other ccw authorities do warn against carrying on an empty chamber.

 

[Art3]

To address your point, if you're concerned about dry firing, inserting a snap cap will absorb the energy from the firing pin when you pull the trigger. I agree with others, that dry firing is not harmful to most modern pistols (not sure about revolvers, though).

Ruger revolvers don't mind: