Why Dry Fire Helps
I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't dry firing as much as the rest of the team was–not until lately, that is.
Here is Jacob doing some dry fire practice.
It's not that I didn't see the value in it, it's that I didn't have the time to do it. But recently, I thought I'd dry fire a lot to see just how much it helps.
I've been dry firing daily for about a month now using different guns and different feeling triggers, etc. What it has done for me, personally, I can feel from the time I pick each gun up. The way I grip the gun. The way I press the trigger. My confidence with that gun. All of that has improved. Don't get me wrong, I did dry fire before, just not as much.
One dry fire drill I like to use is called “the wall drill.” It is one of three important dry-fire drills listed here. As I dry fire I watch my front sight. If it moves at all I figure out why. Is there anything wrong with my grip? Anything wrong with my trigger press?
Discovering ways I can improve through dryfire
More often than not, with me at least, my issues were coming from two different places.
My first issue is that I wasn't always pulling the trigger straight back to the rear of the gun. A lot of the time, I'm pushing the trigger to the left.
Trying to self-diagnose the cause of my issue during live fire was proving to be difficult. Things like recoil and muzzle blast are distracting to the eye and cannot really allow the shooter to figure out why his/her shots are going off from where they're supposed to go. Because there is so much going on during live fire, I was never able to really realize I was doing this. Only through dry fire practice did it become more clear.
I had a double whammy, though. My trigger finger pushing left wasn't the only issue. I was also tightening my grip as I pressed the trigger. I was able to figure this out because my strong hand thumb sympathetically moved as my trigger finger did its thing.
This was also pushing my shots to the left side of the target.
Diagnosing shooting deficiencies during dry fire
As an instructor, I come into contact with a lot of shooters of various abilities. My experience is not unique. I may not have realized what the actual issue was had I not tried to diagnose it during dry fire. This is actually still an uphill battle for me, but I have just about completely eradicated my trigger woes.
I strongly urge you to start dry firing your EDC (everyday carry gun). And, if you already do it from time to time, I urge you to do it more. You'll see an improvement if you're looking for ways to improve. Actually, pay attention to what your front sight is doing. Pay attention to your fundamentals. It will help.
Dry Fire Practice Helped Me, And It Will Help You
Something else that some people don't think about is dry firing in between strings of live fire while at the gun range. You may end up getting some strange looks, but I actually ran a bunch of ammo through a gun I was testing, dry fired a few times, and found myself making small mistakes that I didn't realize I was doing.
I think the reason why this helps is that dry firing at home is one thing. Live fire at the range is another thing. And, doing both at the range is something totally different. What I mean is, I got used to the muzzle blast, recoil, etc., and then threw a wrench into it showing off my lovely flinch–which I thought I had overcome.
One product that I have recently started using, and find super useful in dry fire practice is this LaserDot Trainer Ammunition Cartridge Insert. It safely and easily turns your EDC into a laser training pistol!
Here are some resources we've put together on dry fire training to help you out even more:
Learn more about dry firing, here.
Dry fire with laser simulation.
Leave any dry firing tips you may have in the comments below.
Dry fire is something that I just started doing, but I can already tell a difference in my live firing already. After reading this article I’m going to start doing it even more and use the tips to improve. I’ve been thinking about getting one of the laser training tools out there to maybe make it more fun, but I haven’t decided on which one yet. If anyone has any suggestions, I’m open to them.
Here is a good overview of a few of the popular options https://www.concealedcarry.com/gear/laserlyte-vs-sirt-laser-training-pistols-review-video/
I have been dry firing as a training tool for many, many years. I used to use dummy rounds with all of my guns during dry fire practice. When the Glock E Trainer came out, I switched to using that. I try to make my dry fire practice sessions as realistic as possible. Therefore, I use various techniques for my dry fire practice. I keep a practice gun next to e in bed .withe Glock E Trainer, it is easy to tell this gun is unloaded and the E Trainer is installed and ready. I use my television, with its moving targets as one of my dry fire drills. I also,practice from a lying down position in the dark. I have a target attached next to the door jam to simulate someone coming in. I also have dual targets set up to practice multiple targets. These are just some of the ways I use dry fire in my own training for home defense. I am a certified NRA instructor and teach these techniques to my students, emphasizing the importance of dry fire practice.
Had always heard it was not good for guns
To dry fire, is that not true
Betty, there has been debate as to the potential to do damage to the firing pin in a gun by dry firing the gun. A few things to note. First, less and less professionals in the industry think this is a real concern. Second, if it is a concern then using dummy ammo so the firing pin has something to impact would eliminate the concern. Third, if it is a concern and one does nothing to mitigate the potential for damage then you are probably talking about 10,000 trigger presses before any damage would be likely.
I think you should qualify your answer just a bit. Dry fire won’t damage most center fire guns. It’s not generally a good idea with rim fires – i.e. .22s and the like.
Super valid! Thank you for adding that.
I purchased the SIRT pistol when they first were offered through Concealcarry.com. I dont dry fire daily however I try to weekly. I definitely notice a difference on my accuracy.
I’ve started taking thos SIRT to the range with me. Before going with live rounds, I did some practice paying attention to the laser on the SIRT. It was very telling.
End result was I was shooting live a bit more accurate 10 yards out. I was using my EDC, P365.
I’d recommend dry firing as much as you can.
To the question about dry firing being harmful to the firearm: I have read most of the manuals for the most popular brands. The only manual Imhave read so far that does not prohibit consistent dry firing is Glock pistols. I am a Glock enthusiast, as well as a certified firearms instructor. I do caution people against practicing dry fire without a way of protecting the firing pin from bending or breaking. A good brand of dummy rounds works well. There are even very good videos on making your own dummy tounds. Just be sure the issue of protecting the firing pin is covered. There are also some good dry fire devices on the market. They are not all good. Some are. Just be descerning; use good judgement, and check out the return policy Before you buy. Dry fire, dry fire, and dry fire. It is a must!