Dry-Firing a Percussion Pistol?

[DennisCA]

1st - let me state that I would never do it on purpose.
However if one was to do accidently; would it hurt the pistol?

Sorry for noob question - but I just a percussion pistol and I
may have more questions

 

[Threeband]

Once or twice won't hurt it, but over time you will trash the nipples and maybe the face of the hammer.

 

[Jim Sr]

1st - let me state that I would never do it on purpose.
However if one was to do accidently; would it hurt the pistol?


Sorry for noob question - but I just a percussion pistol and I
may have more questions

If it is charged, DON'T do it!
One grain of powder on the edge of the nipple or face of the hammer and . . .
Note: In MD it is considered unloaded, if uncapped.

 

[DennisCA]

Sorry - I should sepcified; of course it would unloaded!

 

[wilcam47]

Once or twice won't hurt it, but over time you will trash the nipples and maybe the face of the hammer.

I wouldnt make it a habit.

 

[epps1919]

Get a piece of 1/4" fuel hose and cut it 1/2" long and put it over the nipple and fire away. The hammer only hits the rubber hose.

 

[John from MD]

Dry firing will deform the nipples. Plastic tubing will protect them for a while but the hammer will cut through them eventually.

What you can do is place a lead ball over one nipple and snap the hammer a couple of times. This will partially imbed the ball onto the nipple. You can continue to snap the hammer but the cylinder will not turn as the hammer does not go forward far enough to let the hand catch a notch on the cylinder. This method will last the longest but as I stated, the cylinder won't turn.


John

 

[Erno86]

If it is tuned correctly the hammer should not deform the nipples, because the face of the hammer only comes into contact with the cap. But...like my Ruger Old Army --- which btw has been discontinued --- the hammer hits the hammer stop before coming into contact with a non-capped nipple. Repeated dry firing --- though Ruger denies it --- will cause the soft steeled Ruger hammer's rear thumb cocking lever to break off a and fly back in the shooter's face; with enough force to take someone's eye out!!!

I've had this happen while dry firing two of my Ruger Old Army's, and was fortunate enough that the 1/2" long thumb cocker did not take one of my eye's out.

Wear eye pro.

 

[John from MD]

If it is tuned correctly the hammer should not deform the nipples, because the face of the hammer only comes into contact with the cap. But...like my Ruger Old Army --- which btw has been discontinued --- the hammer hits the hammer stop before coming into contact with a non-capped nipple. Repeated dry firing --- though Ruger denies it --- will cause the soft steeled Ruger hammer's rear thumb cocking lever to break off a and fly back in the shooter's face; with enough force to take someone's eye out!!!

I've had this happen while dry firing two of my Ruger Old Army's, and was fortunate enough that the 1/2" long thumb cocker did not take one of my eye's out.

Wear eye pro.

Good old investment casting.

John

 

[Mike OTDP]

You'll beat up the nipples, but don't forget that those are consumable anyway. You'll shoot them out eventually. The plastic tubing trick works, too. As do wooden or plastic 'flints' for flintlocks.

Dry firing is highly recommended for practice.

 

[byf43]

Once or twice most likely won't hurt the nipples.

Just remember...... Nipples are supposed to be treated gently and cared for, not abused.

 

[BUFF7MM]

Just remember...... Nipples are supposed to be treated gently and cared for, not abused.

That just depends on who's nipples you've got ahold of, some don't have a problem with the rough treatment of their nipples.

 

[byf43]

That just depends on who's nipples you've got ahold of, some don't have a problem with the rough treatment of their nipples.

 

[AntiGun]

What?
I'm not allowed to play tune in Tokyo?

 

[Karl]

That just depends on who's nipples you've got ahold of, some don't have a problem with the rough treatment of their nipples.

+1 to that.

 

[BUFF7MM]

+1 to that.

I actually know a few that prefer to have the, treated that way, it's good marketing.