Definitely depends on the gun. My Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum specifically says in the manual that dry firing causes no damage.
Yes.
Snap caps are your friend.
Dry firing is okay for center fire firearms.
Avoid dry firing rim fire firearms.
It’s safe to dry-fire with one exception: when you’re in a gunfight.
My NRA instructor said to “dry fire” all you can. Practice, practice, practice.
This is very dependent on what type of gun it is. When in doubt, see post #3.
Yes and use snap caps.
I’m pretty sure I have to dry fire my .22 after re-assembly, or it would be stored with a spring compressed. Its rimfire....I have no idea if this hurts it, so I don’t do it often...but I don’t see a way around it.
The answer is that it depends largely on the age and style of the gun.
You don't want to be dry-snapping rim-fire guns (mostly 22's) for obvious reasons.
In the case of normal center-fire weapons, you have to consider advances in metallurgy over the last century.
Military surplus weapons like Mausers made prior to WW-II can be hurt by dry-snapping, particularly the firing pins can be hurt. I don't know exactly where the dividing line is but anything modern, say, made after 1980 or thereabouts, is not going to be hurt by dry snapping.
Sure it is, but what fun is that?
If Ruger says it is Ok for the LCR then it is OK for the LCR.
I would not make a habit of it because many older guns can have brittle firing pins that will break from dry firing.
In general, you can dry-fire center-fire firearms without harm, but you should not dry-fire rim-fire arms without a snap cap or spent piece of brass under the firing pin. If you dry fire a rimfire gun enough, you will either peen out the face of the pin, or possibly break the firing pin.
That said, using snap caps in all firearms to dry fire is ultimately preferred.
PROBABLY won’t hurt, but... (and it’s a big but) why take a chance? Use a snap cap - that’s what they’re for.
You know, you can go to your friendly gun store and buy plastic .38/.357 rounds to put in your gun.
Definitely depends on the gun. My Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum specifically says in the manual that dry firing causes no damage.
Wanna break the firing pin in your C96 Mauser?
Dry fire it. I know.
Star Model B’s? Same thing
CZ 52’s? same.
Don’t ask me how I know.
Many thanks to all for your replies!
All of my firearms are of new/modern design and fire centerfire rounds. As far as design, my oldest ‘type’ rifle is probably the PTR91(HK91 Clone). Given the info, all of mine can be safely dry fired, but I my look into getting some of those ‘snap caps’ just to be on the safe side.
Thanks again for your timely replies!
Snap caps are cheap insurance against a broken firing pin.
I have dry fired many different handguns with an without snap caps an some were never damaged without them an some were.
I prefer to use em for that reason alone.
Enjoy...stay safe !
Dry firing won’t harm your handgun.
Dry firing is a good way to practice for muscle memory purposes.
HOWEVER, never dry fire willy-nilly, such as when you are sitting around watching TV. Always concentrate on what you are doing when a weapon is involved. To do otherwise would be to condition your body to nonchalantly pull the trigger.
NEVER pull the trigger of a gun, loaded or not, unless you are fully committed to the task.
I’m sure you already knew that.
You can get snap caps, a dummy carrtidge with a shock absorbing insert in the primer pocket for most common rounds, or make your own.