OK to dry-fire Browning HP?
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BHPshooter
Member
If you are talking about just a snap here and a snap there, I'd say you're probably okay...
If you're talking actual dry-fire practice, using snap caps would be beneficial. Newer HPs (since the late 80s) are sprung heavily, and with heavy dry-fire practice you might have your firing pin retaining plate crack. Having something to absorb that energy is a good idea.
I use a-zoom snap caps in mine.
Good luck.
Wes
If you're talking actual dry-fire practice, using snap caps would be beneficial. Newer HPs (since the late 80s) are sprung heavily, and with heavy dry-fire practice you might have your firing pin retaining plate crack. Having something to absorb that energy is a good idea.
I use a-zoom snap caps in mine.
Good luck.
Wes
Same firing pin design as the M1911. I don't consider dry firing a problem and have dry fired BHP's hundreds of times with no problem. Still, I won't say not to use snap caps if it makes you feel better; they don't do any harm.
FWIW, snap caps do not protect the firing pin stop on either gun; the firing pin is of the inertia type and the hammer has already hit the stop before the firing pin even reaches the snap cap.
Jim
FWIW, snap caps do not protect the firing pin stop on either gun; the firing pin is of the inertia type and the hammer has already hit the stop before the firing pin even reaches the snap cap.
Jim
stans
Member
Dry fire to your heart's content, unless you have access to an unlimited supply of ammo.
BHPshooter
Member
I just re-ead that post, and I sound like an idiot. Let me attempt to clarify: I have read that putting something (like a piece of leather) between the hammer and firing pin stop would dampen that blow, and would be easier on the stop. I never used to do this, but after I had one firing pin stop break I started doing it. Not a problem since. (note: it is also possible that the FEG part was substandard, I don't know. YMMV.)As for the snap cap, that's for preventing damage to the firing pin.
*sigh* I need to think before i post.
Wes
faustulus
Member
I've always thought of snap caps like anti-lock brakes: they're just there to make people feel better.
Hi, Thefumegator,
OK, I reread your original post also and see that I misunderstood what you meant. As for a pad on the firing pin stop, my feeling is that if a firing pin stop breaks, there was something wrong with it. They are cheap so I never have worried a lot about one breaking. But some people do believe that a snap cap is the solution to all problems of gun damage, and that may not be true, depending on the gun design.
Jim
OK, I reread your original post also and see that I misunderstood what you meant. As for a pad on the firing pin stop, my feeling is that if a firing pin stop breaks, there was something wrong with it. They are cheap so I never have worried a lot about one breaking. But some people do believe that a snap cap is the solution to all problems of gun damage, and that may not be true, depending on the gun design.
Jim
BHPshooter
Member
I stand corrected.
Jim,
yes, I agree -- if the stop breaks, it was probably faulty... mine was, seeing as how it crumbled rather than cracked (FEG), but it took nearly 3 weeks to actually receive a new one, so I thought it probably would be better to avoid it, if possible. Yes, I suppose I'm one of those "snap-cap happy" people.
On top of that, I really shouldn't post on here when I can't think or communicate clearly. It's good that the internet has so many industrious people to verify things -- it keeps us honest.
Wes
Marshall
Member
Never had a problem with mine from dry firing. However, I must say that I don't do it often, so...................
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I Don't have a BHP yet but I have had problems with snapcaps leaving al sorts of bras chips from the primer spot on the red plastic srpingloaded ones that I do not use snap caps but make my own with silicon caulk in a drilled out primer hole and a dummy projectile which has been drilled thru the side.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I have an FN Hi-Power and have broken the firing pin retaining plate (at about the 17k round mark) with lots of dry fire (and live fire too). I think the leather or O-ring is a worthwhile practice that will give you some extra life out of the part, though if you don't do a great deal of dry-fire or live-fire then it probably isn't worth the trouble.
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