Many people wonder if it is ok to fire a gun without any ammunition in it. Will it damage the gun in any way or can you do this without any harm?

You can dry fire a handgun, but there are some things you need to keep in mind. When dry firing, be sure to use a snap cap or dummy round to protect the firing pin. Always point the gun in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot. You should always treat a gun like it will fire a live round, even if you are only dry firing.

What are Snap Caps?

Snap Caps are dummy rounds that are used to protect the firing pin in a gun. They are usually made of metal or plastic and have a soft primer that won't damage the firing pin if the gun is dry fired.

They can be useful for testing out the mechanism of your firearm safely and without the need to go to a firing range. Snap caps are relatively cheap costing only $10-20 for a full magazine.

Why Use Snap Caps?

Snap caps are used for two main reasons: to protect the firing pin and to help train shooters. When you dry fire a gun without a snap cap, you run the risk of damaging the firing pin. The firing pin is what strikes the primer on a live round and sets off the cartridge. If the firing pin hits anything hard, it can break or become damaged.

Using a snap cap protects the firing pin from being damaged. It also allows you to safely practice things like trigger control and target acquisition without the need for live ammunition. This can be helpful if you are new to shooting or if you want to brush up on your skills without going to the range.

How to Use Snap Caps

Using snap caps is pretty straightforward. Simply load them into your magazine just like you would with live rounds. Then, you can proceed to dry fire the gun as normal.

Keep in mind that you should still treat the gun as if it were loaded with live ammunition. This means always pointing it in a safe direction and keeping your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.

Will Dry Firing a Handgun Without Snap Caps Damage Your Gun

Some people believe that dry firing your gun will cause the firing pin to become damaged or broken. However, others do not believe this is true. If you aren't sure what you think, it's best to be on the safe side and invest in some blanks to fire.

As long as you are using a snap cap, you will not damage your gun by dry firing it.

Purchase a Handgun from Springhill Outfitters

If you would like to purchase a handgun, come to Springhill Outfitters today or purchase a handgun online and pick it up in store. We have a wide selection of handguns for you to choose from. If you don't live near our store, you can purchase a handgun and have it shipped to an FFL dealer near you for pick up.