Dry firing question - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

VAXDGUY · 09-30-2006, 08:44 PM

Something occurred to me today at the range. I've always heard that dry firing is particularly bad for automatics (hence snap caps), but I always dry-fire the XDs when I'm done shooting them to de-cock it after I've fired the last round, plus we're effectively dry-firing them every time we take them down.
So what's the real story on dry-firing XDs?

**XDAndMe** · 09-30-2006, 08:49 PM

I read that the XD is safe to dry-fire because of the striker design. There some sort of spring or something that cushions it?

In either case, the manual doesn't say it isn't ok. It's kind of required to take it down anyway

I bought a couple Azoom snap-caps at the gun show the same day I bought the gun, but then reading the forum I realized I don't need them.

The Knight Of Light · 09-30-2006, 08:56 PM

All modern firearms are safe for dry fire. Competitive shooters have been doing it for decades. Older firearms have problems. They are made of softer steel and alloys that break under stress. Also percusion, flintlock, and other antiques type firearms can suffer damage because of their lockwork designs. Some firearms say not to dry fire in the manual. Always read the manual.

VAXDGUY · 09-30-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Knight Of Light

All modern firearms are safe for dry fire. Competitive shooters have been doing it for decades. Older firearms have problems. They are made of softer steel and alloys that break under stress. Also percusion, flintlock, and other antiques type firearms can suffer damage because of their lockwork designs. Some firearms say not to dry fire in the manual. Always read the manual.

I did, actually, front to back. Didn't mention it one way or the other.

**XDAndMe** · 09-30-2006, 09:03 PM

There's another thread about it here: New XD: Are these safe to dry fire?

KOL is right. It seems the XD has a roll pin that prevents the firing pin from bottoming out when it is dry fired. Here's an explanation from the thread I posted a link to:

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcb

Given that the firing pin it retain and stopped, in it forward travel when no cartridge is present, by the roll pin in the top of the slide the occasion dry fire to disassemble will not hurt. If you going to be doing a lot of dry fire practice than using a snap cap would remove any chance of damaging that roll pin. Or just keep a few extra roll pin around and dry fire away and you will have a replace it if it breaks.

So... dry-fire away and save your snap-cap money for real ammo

VAXDGUY · 09-30-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDAndMe

There's another thread about it here: New XD: Are these safe to dry fire?

KOL is right. It seems the XD has a roll pin that prevents the firing pin from bottoming out when it is dry fired. Here's an explanation from the thread I posted a link to:

So... dry-fire away and save your snap-cap money for real ammo

Great info! Thanks.

The Knight Of Light · 09-30-2006, 09:05 PM

Snap caps have their place and if you want to use them go right ahead. I use Azoom caps for reloading drills, and training on malfunctions.

JD McDorce · 09-30-2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAXDGUY

I did, actually, front to back. Didn't mention it one way or the other.

Dry firing is noted on pages 7 and 11 of the XD Operation and Safety Manual.

VAXDGUY · 09-30-2006, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD McDorce

Dry firing is noted on pages 7 and 11 of the XD Operation and Safety Manual.

D'oh! Then I don't remember it at all (which leads to the next question of "What else don't I remember from that?).

**XDAndMe** · 09-30-2006, 09:28 PM

Page 7

"Before attempting to shoot, practice operations by dry firing with the chamber empty, without ammunition, or with dummy shells. Become familiar with the safety features, trigger control, and handling of the firearm."

Page 11

"Before attempting to load this firearm with live ammunition, follow the sequence of operations shown here wihout ammunition or with dummy shells. By practicing operations without ammunition (or with dummy shells), you will become familiar with:

Safety features
Tigger control (dry firing),
and handling of your firearm.

As a result you will be a safer, more confident shooter when aiming at your first target."

It seems Springfield is OK with us dry-firing. They even ecourage it.

09-30-2006, 08:44 PM	#1
VAXDGUY XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 959	Dry firing question Something occurred to me today at the range. I've always heard that dry firing is particularly bad for automatics (hence snap caps), but I always dry-fire the XDs when I'm done shooting them to de-cock it after I've fired the last round, plus we're effectively dry-firing them every time we take them down. So what's the real story on dry-firing XDs?

09-30-2006, 08:56 PM	#3
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,840 Blog Entries: 12	All modern firearms are safe for dry fire. Competitive shooters have been doing it for decades. Older firearms have problems. They are made of softer steel and alloys that break under stress. Also percusion, flintlock, and other antiques type firearms can suffer damage because of their lockwork designs. Some firearms say not to dry fire in the manual. Always read the manual. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

09-30-2006, 09:05 PM	#7
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,840 Blog Entries: 12	Snap caps have their place and if you want to use them go right ahead. I use Azoom caps for reloading drills, and training on malfunctions. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

09-30-2006, 09:28 PM	#10
XDAndMe XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PA, USA Posts: 3,402	Page 7 "Before attempting to shoot, practice operations by dry firing with the chamber empty, without ammunition, or with dummy shells. Become familiar with the safety features, trigger control, and handling of the firearm." Page 11 "Before attempting to load this firearm with live ammunition, follow the sequence of operations shown here wihout ammunition or with dummy shells. By practicing operations without ammunition (or with dummy shells), you will become familiar with: Safety features Tigger control (dry firing), and handling of your firearm. As a result you will be a safer, more confident shooter when aiming at your first target." It seems Springfield is OK with us dry-firing. They even ecourage it.

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09-30-2006, 08:49 PM	#2
XDAndMe XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PA, USA Posts: 3,402	I read that the XD is safe to dry-fire because of the striker design. There some sort of spring or something that cushions it? In either case, the manual doesn't say it isn't ok. It's kind of required to take it down anyway I bought a couple Azoom snap-caps at the gun show the same day I bought the gun, but then reading the forum I realized I don't need them.