***I dry fired an M1 rifle endlessly in basic training in the Army.***
Same here with the M-16 and M1 carbine.
I did break the firing pin of a H&R single shot 12 ga shotgun when I dry fired it.
Never dry fire a .22 as the firing pin can damage the rim of the chamber.
Perform a Function Check on an M16-Series Rifle 071-311-2026 Conditions: Given an M16-series rifle that you must confirm is operable. Standards: Perform a function check and ensure the rifle operates properly with the selector switch in each position. Performance Steps 1. Check an M16A1, M16A2, or M16A4 with the selector lever in the SAFE position (Figure 1). Figure 1. Selector lever in SAFE position. a. Pull the charging handle to the rear and release it. b. Place the selector lever in the SAFE position. c. Pull the trigger (the hammer should not fall). 2. Check an M16A1, M16A2, or M16A4 with the selector lever in the SEMI position (Figure 2). Figure 2. Selector lever in SEMI position. a. Place the selector lever in the SEMI position. b. Pull the trigger, holding it to the rear (the hammer should fall). c. Continue to hold the trigger to the rear while pulling the charging handle to the rear and releasing the charging handle. d. Release the trigger with a slow, smooth motion until the trigger is fully forward (the hammer should not fall). e. Pull the trigger (the hammer should fall). 3. Check an M16A1 with the selector lever in the AUTO position (Figure 3). Figure 3. Selector lever in AUTO position. a. Place the selector lever in the AUTO position. b. Pull the charging handle to the rear and release it. c. Pull the trigger, holding it to the rear (the hammer should fall). d. Continue to hold the trigger to the rear while pulling the charging handle to the rear and releasing the charging handle. e. Release the trigger. f. Pull the trigger (the hammer should not fall). 4. Check an M16A2 or M16A4 with the selector lever in the BURST position (Figure 4). Figure 4. Selector lever in BURST position. a. Place the selector lever in the BURST position. b. Pull the charging handle to the rear and release it. c. Pull the trigger, holding it to the rear (the hammer should fall). d. Continue to hold the trigger to the rear while pulling the charging handle to the rear and releasing the charging handle. e. Repeat step 4d twice. f. Release the trigger. g. Pull the trigger (the hammer should fall). 5. Stop the function check any time the rifle does not function properly. 6. Turn in the malfunctioning rifle to the unit armorer. Evaluation Preparation: SETUP: Have Soldiers use their assigned rifles and magazines. BRIEF SOLDIER: Tell the Soldier to perform a function check informing the evaluator if the rifle malfunctions. Performance Measures GO NO-GO 1. Checked an M16-series rifle with the selector lever in the SAFE position; verified the hammer did not fall. —— —— 2. Checked an M16-series rifle with the selector lever in the SEMI position; verified the hammer fell. —— —— NOTE: Perform either step 3 or 4, as appropriate. 3. Checked an M16A1 rifle with the selector lever in the AUTO position; verified the hammer did not fall. —— —— 4. Checked an M16A2 or M16A4 rifle with the selector lever in the BURST position; verified the hammer fell. —— —— 5. Stopped the function check at any time the rifle did not function properly and notified the evaluator. —— —— Evaluation Guidance: Score the Soldier GO if all performance measures are passed. Score the soldier NO-GO if any performance measure is failed. If the Soldier scores NO-GO, show the Soldier what was done wrong and how to do it correctly. References Required Related TM 9-1005-249-10
#4-6 plastic wall anchor inserts make nice cheap snap caps for a .22.