Author Topic: Dry firing, will it hurt my gun? (Read 1276 times)

Chris B. · « **on:** June 25, 2004, 07:13:38 AM »

I have a Beretta Stampede and I want to pratice and dry fire it but I wan to be sure it is safe for the gun. It has a transfer bar on it like a Ruger Vaquero. Thank you!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:43:01 AM »

From what I understand it is OK to do it. Personally, I would get snap caps or already fired cases with spent primer in them.

John Traveler · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:47:14 AM »

Chris B,

As a rule, transfer bar actions are relatively immune to dry firing damage. The Ruger New Model Single Actions, for example are almost impossible to damage by dry firing. I should know. Many of my shooting friends have tried. I have yet to hear of a broken firing pin.

On the other hand, I have personally replaced several frame-mounted firing pins and hammer-mounted firing pins in non-transfer bar single actions. The constant slap-slap-slap reulting from pin-to-frame impact is rough on both firing pins, firing pin holes, and retainers.

If dryfiring is worrisome to you, try installing a strip of hard foam rubber between the hammer and transfer bar. Snap caps also help, but do not eliminate the hammer-frame pounding effects.

Chris B. · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:55:17 AM »

How much would a spent shell help? Thank you for the help guys!

Zeus · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2004, 08:47:35 AM »

I don't think it would really help at all. Indention is already there. Snap caps would be your best bet if you are uncomfortable with dry firing or just unsure. GS

LCSNM · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2004, 09:33:08 AM »

My Berettas came with 'yellow disc washers' to insert betwen the cylinder and hammer for the purposes of dry firing practice.

Steve P · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2004, 09:46:34 AM »

I have a savage striker. Use an empty case for about 20 dry firings then discard. Just rotate so the firing pin hits a different spot each time. I have another revolved that I fired one time on an empty chamber and it peened the cylinder. Why take a chance? Empties are cheap!!! :-D

Steve

macbullet · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2004, 10:21:29 AM »

bigjeepman · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2004, 12:43:21 PM »

How do you like your Stampede? I am considering buying one. I am curious what kind of loads others shoot in their Stampedes.

Malamute · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2004, 07:07:21 PM »

I've broken 2 Ruger transfer bars from dry firing. Since these guns are my carry guns in the mts where the grizzlies live, I quit dry firing them. Snap caps will reduce the amount of wear and tear on your gun. I too have heard the legion "opinions" that Ruger pistols are "indestructible", and I spread the word myself for years. I don't believe it now. ANY gun can fail. The more you use it, particularly something like dry firing, the greater the chance of parts breakage.

headshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2004, 08:48:25 PM »

Quote from: Chris B.

I have a Beretta Stampede and I want to pratice and dry fire it but I wan to be sure it is safe for the gun. It has a transfer bar on it like a Ruger Vaquero. Thank you!

I too have a Ruger Vaquero, don't dry fire it without either using snapcaps..or making your own...using fired cases and filling the primer pocket with tin

Good luck, btw snap caps are cheap too( how does the Beretta shoot??)

Good Shooting

Chris B. · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2004, 02:18:41 PM »

Thank you for the help gentelmen!

The Stampede is a lot of fun to shoot! Seems to be more accurate then me! I can hit pop cans at 30 yards no problem. It also has a very slick action from tha factory and I'm addictied to cocking and running through the action while watching TV. If you ever get a chance to shoot one do because it is just a real nice gun!

P.S. What is the best way to rid the throat of lead? Thanks!

headshooter · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2004, 11:39:16 AM »

Quote from: Chris B.

Thank you for the help gentelmen!

The Stampede is a lot of fun to shoot! Seems to be more accurate then me! I can hit pop cans at 30 yards no problem. It also has a very slick action from tha factory and I'm addictied to cocking and running through the action while watching TV. If you ever get a chance to shoot one do because it is just a real nice gun!

P.S. What is the best way to rid the throat of lead? Thanks!

I'm sure that everybody has a different method to get rid of the lead build-up in the throat area, I found that my Vaquero starts to bind after about 30 rounds of Black Hills Ammo, a good scrub with a bronze tooth brush type and some Hoppe's Lead remover does the trick.

If anyone else has a great idea to keep the throat lead free :grin: i'm all ears, here's another interesting one: I know a few guys that shoot 2 or 3 jacketed rounds thru their six guns to clear out the lead build-up, I on the other hand am a wee bit concerned about possible excessive pressure build-up? have any thoughts??