DST dryfire?

[nebraska steve]

On my Pedersoli Kentucky rifle I have a double set trigger. I am wondering if it harms the mechanism to set the trigger and dryfire. I am not cocking the hammer, so the hammer doesn't move. I did not see any cautions in the manual, but would like to be sure this is ok.

 

[jdkerstetter]

It should be safe to dry fire when the hammer is in the "at rest" or "fired" position.

DO NOT DO IT AT HALF COCK as the sear nose is trapped in the tumbler notch and you will likely damage one or the other or both.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[nebraska steve]

Thanks J.D. I was hoping that would be the case. and thanks for the caution about the half cock.

 

[jdkerstetter]

No problem. Enjoy, J.D.

 

[ebiggs1]

I wouldn't do it as a general practice or routine.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Care to explain why? Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Many Klatch]

You can also replace the flint with a chip of wood the same size as the flint and practice that way. Just don't prime with sawdust. :haha:

Many Klatch

 

[ebiggs1]

Care to explain why? Enjoy, J.D.

Certainly.
I don't dry fire anything. Never-the-less parts are left to hit their stops or are unrestrained and what does it accomplish? :hmm:

 

[Bob J]

You can also replace the flint with a chip of wood the same size as the flint and practice that way. Just don't prime with sawdust. :haha:

Many Klatch

I cut off the end of a wood clothes pin the same length as a flint. Makes for great practice!

 

[jdkerstetter]

I don't dry fire anything.

Well, then your missing out as it's a good practice...especially with handguns and long range rifles where the least bit of muzzle movement when firing will gravely affect accuarcy.

Never-the-less parts are left to hit their stops or are unrestrained and what does it accomplish? :hmm:

There are no stops to hit here so firing DST with the hammer in the at rest position has no ill affects on the lock or the triggers.

I'll explain. The sear is not engaging the tumbler and is free to travel upward when the trigger strikes it. The resistance of the sear spring offers shock absorbtion to this action thus alleviating any strain on the components.

This is not unlike using "snap-caps" in a CF gun.

It's a common pratice for those trying to develope proper trigger control. Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Billnpatti]

As jdkerkstetter said, ONLY with the cock fully down or from the full cock position. It is completely safe to do it that way but NEVER in the half cock position. Dry firing of a flintlock, unlike a caplock, in the fully cocked position is okay, too. No harm is done other than to wear down your flint. Do not dry fire a flintlock from the fully cocked position with no flint in the jaws of the cock. This can possibly cause damage to the cock. If you want to save your flints while dryfiring your flintlock in the full cock position, you can put a piece of wood in the jaws of the cock. So, in summary, it is safe to dryfire a flintlock so long as the cock is in any position other than half cock and if you dry fire in the full cock position, you will need something in the jaws of the cock. If you dryfire with the cock all the way down, you will harm nothing and may feel free to do it as much you wish :hatsoff:

 

[nebraska steve]

This board is great. I appreciate all of the experience available. I live in "inline land" and when I tell someone I have a flinter they look at me like I told them I enjoy eating carp.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

If you do want to do some dry fire practice, and I highly recommend you do, I would go all the way and use the wooden block in the jaws of the flint lock and practice with the full action of the gun. You will be amazed how much you improve doing so.

In the old days my shooting couch would have a strict rule, for every live round fired, you dry fire 10 times minumum.

 

[MacRob46]

Putting an "artificial flint" in the lock is a good idea since you will get to experience the hammer falling which you won't get by simply setting the trigger then pulling it. However, omitting the block and simply using the triggers will not damage well-made set triggers. It is even advised in the case of some guns which should never be dry fired, such as a Sharps breech loader.

 

[Leatherbark]

I shoot my Flintlock in NMLRA competition. All shooting is offhand. I need the dry fire practice pointing out the front window and picking out a small target and yanking the trigger when the sights are aligned. Done it for years. If I ever break the Davis DST 6 trigger I'll replace the part. +1 on doing it with the cock all the way forward.

Bob

 

[M. De Land]

Yes, I agree on both accounts although having dry-fired both ways for many years, the most effective practice is with the hammer fall and purposely holding through the movement.
I have found on my percussion guns that cutting a short piece of 3/8's rubber hose and placing it over the nipple allows for safe hammer fall against the nipple so protected. MD

 

[ebiggs1]

... DST with the hammer in the at rest position has no ill affects on the lock or the triggers.

If you believe so, be my guest. Fire away! :surrender:

 

[jdkerstetter]

If you believe so, be my guest. Fire away! :surrender:

You ":surrender:" , but have you been convinced? Do you understand?

We can keep trying to explain it. You could ask some questions. That might help.

Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid people. :wink:

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[ebiggs1]

...only stupid people.

Oh, lord, you noticed. And I tried so hard to conceal it.

 

[Buffalohntr]

So does a rubber faucet washer on a percussion rifle or pistol.
John :thumbsup: