The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

ive been told that dry firing a centre fire (rifle or pistol) is ok,
but dry firing a rimfire or a shotgun isnt a good idea .,,, have i been told correctly ?
And why ??

Dry firing rimfire runs the risk of the firing pin peening on the edge of the chamber or damaging the edge of the chamber or both.

Centre fire firing pins don't have anything to hit like a rim fire.

Some people also say that you shouldn't dry fire centre fire on an empty chamber as the lack of resistance can cause damage to the firing pin in the bolt. I have never encountered such a problem from the rifles through my hands over the years so anything is possible. If you were doing it a lot as part of a training regime then a snap cap could be a good idea as insurance.

I seem to recall that some manufacturers advise on whether it is a good idea or not with their action so checking with them could also be a way to go.

Striking a rimfire firing pin against the breech wall will cause damage to both. on a centre fire its not contacting any thing amd in theory wont hurt anything however you can buy "snap caps" which are calibre specific dummy rounds to prevent straining anything.

Alan

ahh... not so straight forward !!
Incidentally when I used to do archery I was taught that dry firing a bow is a REALLY bad idea !!

Both good answers, don't dry fire rimfire, otherwise OK but if it worries you then yes, snap caps are a good bet.

from a safety point of view, it also ensures you haven't loaded live ammo or left a round in the chamber - has been known to happen.

Dry firing a bow (we use proper English warbows, paw carved from Alpine yew) is a 'orrid bad idea ! If you're lucky you'll escape with just string sting, but in many cases the bow will fracture and all that pent up energy will send fragments of yew everywhere...

I had a bowstring snap once ... Very dramatic !

Ah, so that's why you're listed as "mostly 'armless"

I was told by a gunsmith, dry firing a centre fire was fine, but you never dry fire a pistol. I didn't know you shouldn't dry fire rimfire, so that's good to know.

Hmmm, didn't know that either...

...How do you get round clearing and casing a semi-auto rimfire?...I usually dry fire it down the range before casing it, as don't want to leave the action cocked all week...