Dry Firing a .22 Revolver

The mechanical end of the ignition is the same for both - the rim of the cartridge is "pinched" between the firing pin and the edge of the chamber. The rim cushions the firing pin strike, and prevents it from hitting the chamber edge. Usually, but not always, the pin is long enough to hit the softer chamber edge, and will either mar it (after many repetitions) or become chipped if the pin is brittle. Dry firing with empty cases will prevent this, but rotate them in the chambers to keep the cushion at a maximum.
 
I've always been very careful not to dry fire rimfires, but the manual for my Ruger Single Six new Model plainly states that it is OK to do so.

I find it very strange that a manufacturer would recommend this practice. Did Ruger do some magic with these guns that makes it OK?
 
Virtually all modern .22 rimfire firearms have counterbored chambers and limits on firing pin movement. Basically, the pin stops before it can bottom out in the counterbore and contact the chamber.

Older guns often didn't have couterbore or pin limits, so the pin could hit the edge of the chamber.

I have a number of .22 rifle, revolvers, and autos that have been dry fired 10's of thousands of time with no problem.

If it makes you feel better about it, put fired cases in the chamber, it can't hurt.

The one modern rim fire I won't dry fire is the Colt Trooper Mark 3.
Some of them have firing pins that are too hard and can break. The Mark 3 must be returned to the factory for replacement.

If your manual says don't dry fire a gun....don't.
 
Every .22 rimfire chamber I've seen since 1946 has been counterbored. The primer is in the soft rim, and the counterbore protects it from unintended strikes. Firing pin length/hardness/limit has always been a dry-fire problem. Materials and precision machining have improved greatly over my time, but I still don't believe in dry fire without a cushion under the pin. The manufacturer who says it is OK will fix it if you get a lemon, with a long or brittle pin, but he won't send you a loaner while it's in the shop. Maybe I'm just too hide-bound to change, but 'tain't worth the worry. :rolleyes:
 
dry-firing .22 s

I do dry-firing a .22 with a peace of leather or rubber laid between frame and hammer.
In a Ruger this works good, how it does in an other fabric I do not know.
It seems better than risking a damaged chamber..
ys. b.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top