Posted on 05/10/2011 8:26:46 PM PDT by KoRn
Depends on the weapon. The factory firing pins in CZ-52’s, for example, are unreasonably brittle and may break if dry fired excessively. For most weapons it’s fine, and if the manual for a specific model says it’s OK it probably is.
Why not use a snap cap or fired casing?
A spent case only works properly for a few dry firings because the repeated firing pin strikes deepen the impression into the primer until the pin is no longer supported. A snap cap with a spring loaded cushion in place of the primer is the best way.
Thanks. It’s nice for backpacking. I like the single action for this purpose because there’s little to go wrong with it mechanically, and there’s less danger of accidental discharge while sleeping with it under my pillow. The 7.5” barrel makes it quite accurate, and the .44 caliber means I should only have to hit something once.
Many years ago I swapped the grips out to a fancy rubberized finger grip, but eventually went back to the stock grips. I prefer the way it feels, and it looks much better. I’ve carried that old hand cannon around the mountains and deserts of California for the last 21 years. :)
>>Was that gun stainless when you bought it or was it blued?
Stainless. Note that the photo is not my specific gun, but was taken from the Ruger web site. I’d have never posted a photo of my gun’s serial number, regardless of the photo resolution. :)
My gun does, however, look exactly like the one in the photo, and after 21 years it still looks and works like new. I keep it in a sheepskin (maybe fake - not sure) lined leather case. There’s only been one or two occasions over 21 years when I haven’t cleaned it completely within a week after firing.
“Why not use a snap cap or fired casing?”
Several people have given this same reply.
Answer - I really don’t know. Its not like I’m practicing my trigger pull with dry fire...the whole point of owning the .22 is cheap ammunition. If I want to practice firing it, I just use live ammo. I always associated snap caps with people practicing trigger pulls on pistols...so it never crossed my mind. I only do the dry fire once, each time I take it apart.
I don’t think I would ever put a spent shell in there...somehow I equate it to not pointing a gun at anything, unless you intend to fire....just feel funny about putting something that looks like a full shell in the chamber...when it isn’t live. Somewhere along the way, somebody might mistakenly assume that every time they see brass in the chamber, it must be spent (I can envision the spent shell not extracting on the first pull of the bolt, as occasionally happens when I am firing).
So, if I were to do this, I would definitely use a bright plastic/rubber snap cap...easily identifiable as a ‘dummy’....I really never even considered them, because I just associate them with quick draw training, etc....and have never used or owned one.
Keep a used case for a snap cap.
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