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Hi, folks,
I'll second George and even say that dry firing a properly designed rimfire gun will not hurt anything. The concern there is not that the firing pin might be damaged, but that the firing pin will strike the edge of the chamber and peen it so that a round won't chamber. Still, if designed right, with a solid firing pin stop, this will not happen. With older guns, especially the old "cat rifles", dry firing is harmful.
Most makers of pistols with a decocking device say not to dry fire or let the hammer down for safety reasons, not concern about harming the gun. The decocker blocks the firing pin so it is safer than dropping the hammer (yes, Virginia, people have dropped the hammer on a live round when they thought the gun was empty) or letting it down with the thumb.
If you have that type of gun, get used to using the decocker; it is the best route for safety.
Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim Keenan (edited December 28, 1999).]
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