Dry fire a Rem 870?

[Asmodeus6]

i have an 870 and dry fire it all the time. i dont think you can break an 870 unless you try and cut a tree down with it.

If you break an 870 cutting down tree's you are doing it wrong... or more importantly... you are using the wrong end of it.

I dry fire mine, but not extensively for 18 years... I have not had any problems though either.

[MikePrekopa]

I have dry fired mine a bunch. Still goes boom when I want it too. As long as your not doing it a lot, your fine.

[Nic]

I have not dry fired a shotgun since I watched my brother break his 10 year old Rem's firing pin doing so. I use snap caps for my HD shotgun.

[Al-Mumit]

i have an 870 and dry fire it all the time. i dont think you can break an 870 unless you try and cut a tree down with it.

Been there, done that. The tree lost.

That being said, there is no reason to abuse it by dry firing it half a million times... but I don't think it'd hurt. Mine has been going strong for quite awhile.

[Asmodeus6]

I have not dry fired a shotgun since I watched my brother break his 10 year old Rem's firing pin doing so. I use snap caps for my HD shotgun.

Not cool! Details?

[JCWohlschlag]

Here is the official answer from Remington customer service.

Customer (02/12/2010 10:12 PM)

Is dry firing the Remington 870 shotgun prone to cause damage to the firing pin or any other part, or is it absolutely or relatively safe to dry fire the Remington 870? I tried searching the customer help section of your web site, but it only lists centerfire rifles† and rimfires‡ for answers as far as dry firing; shotguns are not listed.

Thank you for your attention.
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Response — Ronnie (02/17/2010 08:24 AM)

Dry firing your 870 periodically will not damage the firing pin or any other part of your gun. Thank you.
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Response — Chris (02/17/2010 08:28 AM)

Shotguns would fall into the same category as center fire rifles†. It is safe to dry fire a 870 shotgun. The main type of gun you don't want to dry fire is a rimfire because you can put a bur on the edge of the chamber.
Thank you for contacting Remington.

†: http://remington.custhelp.com/app/an...detail/a_id/65
‡: http://remington.custhelp.com/app/an...etail/a_id/182

[Hokkmike]

I picked up a Remington 870 combo primarily for hunting this fall (after I take the Hunters Ed class) and possibly for HD if I get a shorter barrel for it.

I did not see anything in the manual with regards to dry firing it and wondered what the general consensus is here.
I searched online and found cases for (practice is good) and against (possibly busting the firing pin) but got nothing conclusive.
I ordered some snap caps but am still curious what experiences other 870 owners here may have had on the subject.

Just get some dummy shells, or snap caps. I always keep two in my Beretta. They are cheap, easy, andremove ALL doubt.....

[NikeBauer21]

I'm not the type that sits around and dry-fires it for practice or anything... but I usually will after unloading the gun when coming from hunting or something. Still works like a gem for me.

[Chip W]

Thanks all for your input, especially regarding the right way to cut down trees..... with an 870.
The snap caps were on order anyways and now I have them here I likely wouldn't be dry firing it without them in, but it's good to know I wouldn't hurt it a whole hell of a lot without them in there.

[chrmm22sr]

I doubt the gun will break BUT with that said you should avoid dry firing any weapons do to firing pin hitting metal in some gun the pin can break or bend or weaken which will lead to misfires and failures which you dont need if your in the woods looking at 300 pound buck or on the bedroom floor looking at a 300 pound intruder either case a firing pin failure will F*** up your day