is this bad for a handgun?
Hey there all...
Question... is dropping the slide (letting it go forward) on an empty chamber with no mag in a semi auto handgun bad for the gun? Ive been doing it for years and quite honestly can't remember anyone telling me not to do it. I know that dry firing a semiauto can be bad for the firing pin, as in it has no surface to strike, but Ive never heard this about the slide. The guy behind the counter at the local gun shop poo-poo'ed me for doing it to one of his guns.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!"
-Emiliano Zapata
Question... is dropping the slide (letting it go forward) on an empty chamber with no mag in a semi auto handgun bad for the gun? Ive been doing it for years and quite honestly can't remember anyone telling me not to do it. I know that dry firing a semiauto can be bad for the firing pin, as in it has no surface to strike, but Ive never heard this about the slide. The guy behind the counter at the local gun shop poo-poo'ed me for doing it to one of his guns.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!"
-Emiliano Zapata
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I have had the same though.....As far as I can understand the slide stops when the barrel has lift up and the lugs engaged. So it should be in the same manner as when firing or released with an empty chamber/magazine out. Anyway it is a question some profesional can answer.
Breech0 -
Remember, every time you fire a semi-auto the breech closes itself the exact same way, the only difference is, there is a cartridge in there to act as a "cushion".
Supposedly dropping the slide without the extra resistance of a cartridge can damage the slide, and I've even heard that it can ruin a trigger job on a 1911 style gun by causing the sear to batter into the hammer, but I have no idea if either of these things are really true.
True or not, its so easy *not* to do this, you might as well just avoid it.0 -
I would say that if you're handling someone else's gun it would be a good idea to drop the slide gently.
It's not really a problem, so why not do it?0 -
Probably no more damaging than whipping the cylinder of a revolver shut. Don't do it. 
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Direct quote from the Springfield 1911A1 Operation and Safety Manual:
UNLOADING
1. Point gun in safe directon.
2. Press magazine release button to remove magazine.
3. From top and rear, carefully inspect chamber to make sure it is
empty.
4. Hold slide, disengage slide stop, ease slide forward.
Notice: The slide of a 1911A1 pistol should never be released on an empty chamber; especially one which has had an action job. Releasing the slide on an empty chamber causes damage to the breech face on the barrel and undue stress on all action parts, including the hammer and the sear. This will ruin the action job performed on your pistol.
5. Carefully lower hammer as described in the HAMMER LOWERING section. (Page 22)
Also, a paragraph from page 7:
Before attempting to shoot, practice operations by dry firing with the chamber empty, without ammunmition, or with dummy shells. Become familiar with the safety features, trigger control, and handling of the firearm.[^]
Frog.
RiBBButt...You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.0 -
Don't let the slide slam shut with no cartridge. On most guns and all 22 RIM FIRE the extractor cut in the barrel is very close to the chamber area of the barrel with out the rim of the cartridge under the extractor to hold it slightly open the extractor can ding the end of this slot an push metal into chamber this causes chambering problems. 0 -
It sure seems like this is a good argument for supplying snap caps or dummy rounds with all semi-autos. I use them in all my .22's.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
Not a member at the auction? Join Gunbroker at this link!0 -
The only resistance that a cartridge will give the slide is the amount of force required to remove a cartridge from the magazine. Take the barrel out of any 1911, and drop a cartridge into the chamber. You will find that it takes zero effort, because the case is smaller than the chamber(otherwise why would you have to resize it when reloading??), and we all know that there is clearance between the slide and the cartridge when the chamber is closed(I think the proper term is headspace??). Based on these facts, it shouldn't hurt any semi auto for the slide to be released forward, since this is the normal action of the pistol. 0 -
I'll say it again, if a gun can withstand gunpowder charges going off within it, it can withstand letting the slide close whether or not there's a round being chambered. 0 -
I will concur again. I think that the whole thing about not dry firing is a MYTH>>MYTH >>MYTH.! Guns break everyday. How can a gunsmith conclude it was from dry firing? I think the safety nuts are going overboard to say anyone who dry fires is unsafe and ignorant. But I will say it again....I have not seen anyone get cramps from swimming right after they ate! I dont know about warts from petting a toad? 0 -
Do not dry fire a rimfire, because the firing pin can damage the edge of the chamber. 0 -
Some guns are okay to dry fire, others are not. Good case in point is the CZ52, you will break the firing pin in a hurry by dry firing the CZ52.
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Again haroldchrismeyer, I've never seen that to be true in real life. I have several rim fire guns, dry fire them all the time and have never damaged a firing pin or the edge of a chamber or any other part of the guns. I have several friends who have done likewise for as long as or longer than myself and they've never actually seen any dry fire induced damage. If someone can show me actual proof of damage that was definitely caused by dry firing alone, maybe I'll consider changing my tune and my practices but until then, I will continue to believe that dry firing well maintained, servicable firearms is okay. 0 -
Depends on the 22 rimfire. Don't try dry-firing an FMJ, Cobray, or Leinad 22 derringer, the damage will very soon become obvious.
BTW, we don't much care about submitting actual proof for the obvious. If you want proof, go buy one of these derringers and dry fire it a few times. This is considered an "ask the experts" forum for a reason, mainly, some of us have a lot of experience with this sort of thing. Trust us or not, your call.
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Good point boeboe but I'm beginning to think some of the so called experts in here, aren't. 0 -
Agreed [;)]
Many firearms are fine to dry fire, but some are not. Best err in the favor of least potential damage unless you, and the current owner of the firearm, agree on the correct handling.
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
I definitely agree with that. One should never dry fire someone else's gun unless the owner has said it's okay. And especially at gun shops, one should always act with the utmost care and respect for their guns so that you're more likely to be treated by them with the respect you'd like and deserve. 0
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