Apart from the accidental discharges that could occur from dry firing a pistol, I tried to find some information about whether or not dry firing a pistol without a snap cap will cause structural harm and ruin the function of the pistol. So far, it's mixed: some say never do it without snap caps or you'll break the firing pin, others say it's totally fine.
Yes, I know it's probably safer to use snap caps because this forces you to check the chamber for a cartridge.
From what I gather, damage from dry firing seems to only damage rimfire firearms because the firing pin ends up smashing into some part in the breach. I don't own a rimfire, but I have a centerfire Keltec P11. So far as I can tell, dry firing without a snap cap in a centerfire pistol will result in the firing pin hitting nothing but air. Apart from weakening the firing pin spring, I don't see how that could actually damage the firing pin itself.
Thanks in advance for the info.
Yes, I know it's probably safer to use snap caps because this forces you to check the chamber for a cartridge.
From what I gather, damage from dry firing seems to only damage rimfire firearms because the firing pin ends up smashing into some part in the breach. I don't own a rimfire, but I have a centerfire Keltec P11. So far as I can tell, dry firing without a snap cap in a centerfire pistol will result in the firing pin hitting nothing but air. Apart from weakening the firing pin spring, I don't see how that could actually damage the firing pin itself.
Thanks in advance for the info.