Gun Word Of The Day
Dry Fire [drahy] [fahyuhr]
– verb-ish
1. The act of going through the complete sequence of events to fire a gun, but without use of ammunition. Dry fire is a practice technique where the gun is cocked, aimed at a safe practice target and backstop, and trigger pulled. The guns striker or hammer falls on an empty chamber, thereby completing the act of firing a gun, but without discharge of a projectile and associated noise, recoil and flash. Dry fire practice requires strict attention to the safety rules of shooting and ammunition should never be in the same area where dry fire practice occurs.
2. Dry firing only sounds dirty, unless you’re accustomed to visiting, umm, dance clubs where rhythmic movement in a skillful and defined pattern of steps is not valued or required. In these cases, dry-firing could be considered distasteful.
You can find detailed instructions on how to safely dry fire practice here, and you can find even more tips in our latest book, The Rookie’s Guide to Guns and Shooting, Handgun Edition.
Got something to say?