Nickel Plated
New member
So I just picked up a new S&W 17-9 .22. I know the "common wisdom" is to not dry-fire rimfire guns. And I read mentions of the S&W manual warning against it, but neither the manual that came with my 17 or 19 mention anything about dry-firing in them. Skimmed them both front to back (both the same, just a generic, labeled "Smith and Wesson Revolvers Modern Style" even went to S&W's site and did a search of the pdf version. Only hits from "rim" or "dry" talked about a dry patch down the bore and that certain rimfire ammo might have trouble igniting due to harder rims.
And many people report dry firing their S&W rimfire revolvers for decades with no issues. Is this sort of like the 3000 mile oil change? May have been wise words to live by at some point but no longer a real issue on modern designs? I did a bit of dry firing with it and see no marks on the cylinder or firing pin tip.
I figure if dry firing were still such an issue, S&W would have a prominent warning about it in the manual. Just want to smooth out the action some and get some trigger practice. Don't get to make it to the range too often unfortunately. Got 6 new guns here that have yet to see their first shot.
And many people report dry firing their S&W rimfire revolvers for decades with no issues. Is this sort of like the 3000 mile oil change? May have been wise words to live by at some point but no longer a real issue on modern designs? I did a bit of dry firing with it and see no marks on the cylinder or firing pin tip.
I figure if dry firing were still such an issue, S&W would have a prominent warning about it in the manual. Just want to smooth out the action some and get some trigger practice. Don't get to make it to the range too often unfortunately. Got 6 new guns here that have yet to see their first shot.