22lr dry fire question

[Dennis]

Hellow,

I have the Ruger SP101 22lr 8-shot revolver and want to practice dry firing it. I know the owner's manual says I can dry fire it but somehow I would feel better with snap caps in the chamber. My question is this: Buying snap caps seems silly, couldn't I just insert fired cases in the revolver chamber?

I don't understand all what goes one during a hammer strike and such, so I thought I would tap the knowledge of this forum for your usual excellent advice.

Thanks!

 

[gramps]

Yes, already fired cases can be used instead of snap caps. If they are not used the firing pin hits the steel, and becomes damaged. At some point the firing pin will stop hitting hard enough to fire the cartridge.
gramps

 

[greenmtnguy]

Most rimfires do not handle dry firing well, as the pins can end up hammering into the edge of the breech face/rear of cylinder. This can damage the end of the firing pin, or cause it to break. fired brass could be OK to use in place of snap caps. That's my $.02

 

[contender]

I'd invest in the snap caps.
Yes,, empty cases can work somewhat,,, but as they get re-used, the brass flattens out more & more,, not helping anything. Plus,,, it can appear to be loaded with brass cases,, but with snap caps the color is different.
Snap caps are cheap insurance.

 

[ADP3]

The small plastic yellow screw anchors that you can find in most hardware stores are perfect for .22 LR snap caps. $2.00 worth and you'll be set for years.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[Hondo44]

My question is this: Buying snap caps seems silly, couldn't I just insert fired cases in the revolver chamber?

Thanks!

What "seems silly" is worrying about it at all when, as you posted, Ruger has specifically stated in their manual that it's ok. No small amount of management consideration went into placing that small advice statement of fact in the manual.

 

[Dennis]

Thank you all for your responses!

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Although Ruger said it is OK to dry fire the SP101 .22 , I don't dry fire mine. The plastic screw anchors from the hardware store idea is a good one!!! I found a quart jar full of them at a garage sale for two bits. That's .25 cents to you young whipper snappers. LOL !

 

[Wheelgun]

This is the kind of question that always reminds me of a line from J.R.R. Tolkien:
"ask not the elves, for they will say both no and yes...."

Rimfire guns, whether a rifle, pistol or revolver are designed so the firing pin won't make contact with the breech or the rear of the cylinder. It only becomes an issue when either the firing pin itself or the breech of the barrel or cylinder is out of manufacturing tolerance. And, yes, that can happen....

In nearly 50 years I've owned many many rimfires of all types and descriptions, and have never, repeat never had a single one damaged due to dry firing.

Mark

 

[ADP3]

Even if a firing pin is not hitting the rim seat of the chamber it is hitting the inside face of the bolt or frame, or it's hitting a firing pin stop if that's part of the design, instead of its forward motion being stopped by the rim of a .22 cartridge being fired. That contact repeated over enough time causes wear that is avoidable. $2.00 worth of screw anchors is cheap compared to parts' replacement. Suit yourself. Murphy has visited me too many times for me not to take precautions whenever possible.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[Big Old Boy]

I also in 50+ years have never had a problem and yes I have dry fired a lot.

 

[Hondo44]

Even if a firing pin is not hitting the rim seat of the chamber it is hitting the inside face of the bolt or frame, or it's hitting a firing pin stop if that's part of the design, instead of its forward motion being stopped by the rim of a .22 cartridge being fired. That contact repeated over enough time causes wear that is avoidable. $2.00 worth of screw anchors is cheap compared to parts' replacement. Suit yourself. Murphy has visited me too many times for me not to take precautions whenever possible.

Best Regards,
ADP3

The Ruger firing pin works on inertia. So all it does is compress its return spring which acts as a shock absorber to cushion the blow. Theoretical or imagined repeated contact wear with or without the pin hitting a cartridge rim is nonexistent or so negligible at worst it's irrelevant over the life of the firearm.

 

[hittman]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22-LR-A-ZOOM-Pack-of-6-Solid-Anozidized-Aluminum-Dummy-Action-Training-Ammo-/111792485425?hash=item1a0759f431:g:xh8AAOSwo6lWFrlR

I've no relationship with the seller but just saw these on eBay and remembered this thread.

If one is concerned about dry firing a 22LR seems this would be cheap "insurance".

 

[Big Old Boy]

The above a zoom are not for dry fire..

 

[hittman]

The above a zoom are not for dry fire..

Shows how little I know about snap caps! Thanks for posting it so I don't lead the OP down the wrong road.

 

[Hondo44]

The above a zoom are not for dry fire..

Shows how little I know about snap caps! Thanks for posting it so I don't lead the OP down the wrong road.

You're not far off, A ZOOM does make snap caps. Here's some 22 Tipton brand:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Tipton-Snap-Caps-22-LR-Rim-Fire-Rifle-Dummy-Round-10-pack-Red-831787-/371423183436?hash=item567a8c024c:g:E~sAAOSw~gRV3zgL

 

[Prescut]

I have a bunch of 22's , semi-auto and revolver. Several of the revolvers have cylinders with small nicks where the firing pin has hit the cylinder. A burr can develop at the nick which makes it difficult to insert or extract a round. I use expended 22 brass for practice dry firing.
I have no idea why Ruger says you can dry fire it. If it hits hard enough to ignite the round, it's hard enough to eventually do damage. My SP101 is one of the worst factory wheelguns I have ever purchased. The trigger/hammer is terrible. Maybe that's why you can dry fire it. It can be fixed fairly easily into a very decent sixgun.
Ruger has lost my unqualified trust after 40 years and anything they say about the SP101 is taken with a grain of salt.
Yes, I know, sacrilege. Your SP101 is perfect.