For those who are unfamiliar, dry-firing is the practice of pulling the trigger on an airgun without any pellets in the chamber. It can be done with CO2 guns, pump guns, precharged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles, and air pistols. Many people believe that dry-firing is bad for airguns and will damage them, but is this actually true? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of dry-firing to find out.
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Are there good points to dry-firing?
Yes, there are several good points to dry-firing your airgun. First, it’s a good way to check if your gun is loaded without having to chamber a pellet. Second, it allows you to practice your aim without wasting pellets. And third, some people believe that it actually extends the life of your gun by “exercising” the internal parts.
Don’t dry-fire most springers!
While there are some benefits to dry-firing, it’s important to note that you should never do it with most spring-piston guns. This is because the piston seal can be damaged by the impact of the piston when it hits the end of the compression chamber. If you own a springer, check your owner’s manual before dry-firing to see if it’s okay or not.
Springers that are more forgiving
There are some springers on the market that are designed to be more forgiving when it comes to dry-firing. These guns typically have a thicker piston seal that can better withstand the impact of dry-firing. Guns with PTFE (Teflon) seals are extremely tolerant.
Conclusion
So, should you dry-fire your airgun? It depends. If you own a springer, chances are you shouldn’t do it as it could damage your gun. But if you have a different type of airgun, there are some benefits to dry-firing such as being able to practice your aim without wasting pellets.
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