Colt Pony -- dry firing?

30ish in Ga · January 25, 2002, 08:36 PM

The owner's manual recomends NOT dry firing the Colt Pony Pocketlite.

I would like to use this gun occaisionally (twice a year) at the IDPA match but the saftey procedures require dropping the hammer at the end of each stage (about eight times for the match). I can't get a variance from the match director for this gun which is, of course, understandable.

So how much dry firing can this gun take? I DO rely on it as a primary concealed defense weapon while at work. It must be reliable.

Catbird · January 25, 2002, 09:04 PM

I also have a Colt Pony Pocketlite and have read (and follow) the recommendation NOT to dry fire the gun. I don't understand what you mean about "dropping the hammer"; how can you do that on a DAO gun? The hammer doesn't stay back when the slide goes forward....I'm confused.

If you mean pressing the slide release lever (dropping the slide) on an empty magazine, that's okay.

If you mean after ejecting the magazine and clearing the chamber, the range master wants you to dry fire for proof of an empty gun, I would get an official to overrule that decision or select another gun for IDPA. The warning in the manual not to dry fire is there for a reason.

30ish in Ga · January 25, 2002, 09:13 PM

At the end of each stage the gun must be either dry fired or the hammer dropped to show that the gun is not loaded. "Dropping the hammer " is the loosley used phrase used to execute this manuver. Not technically correct, but understood by all in the context of the moment.

George Stringer · January 26, 2002, 07:16 AM

In other words they want to hear it go click. I don't think dry firing as you describe will hurt anything. But it might not hurt to have an extra striker/firing pin on hand just in case. George

Sackett · January 27, 2002, 09:35 AM

For dry firing, why not use a dummy cartridge such as "Snap Cap" or some other brand? Rack the slide just enough to engage the firing mechanism but not enough to eject the cartridge. Then the firing pin has a "primer" to strike.

Ultraman · January 28, 2002, 08:58 AM

I have 2 Ponys and a Mustang. Love them! I dry fire my carry PONY every day. I try to dry fire it at least 50 times. The trigger just keeps getting better and better. After reading the post this morning I got out my instruction manual and what it saids is "never dry fire the pistol WHEN THE SLIDE IS REMOVED FROM THE RECEIVER" not never dry fire the pistol.

30ish in Ga · January 28, 2002, 10:38 AM

Ultraman-- You're right. I must not have been paying full attention when I read that part of the manual.

Thanks for clearing that up. -- 30ish.

"Never overlook the obvious"

January 25, 2002, 08:36 PM	#1
30ish in Ga Junior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Posts: 8	Colt Pony -- dry firing? The owner's manual recomends NOT dry firing the Colt Pony Pocketlite. I would like to use this gun occaisionally (twice a year) at the IDPA match but the saftey procedures require dropping the hammer at the end of each stage (about eight times for the match). I can't get a variance from the match director for this gun which is, of course, understandable. So how much dry firing can this gun take? I DO rely on it as a primary concealed defense weapon while at work. It must be reliable.

January 25, 2002, 09:04 PM	#2
Catbird Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2001 Location: V I R G I N I A Posts: 318	I also have a Colt Pony Pocketlite and have read (and follow) the recommendation NOT to dry fire the gun. I don't understand what you mean about "dropping the hammer"; how can you do that on a DAO gun? The hammer doesn't stay back when the slide goes forward....I'm confused. If you mean pressing the slide release lever (dropping the slide) on an empty magazine, that's okay. If you mean after ejecting the magazine and clearing the chamber, the range master wants you to dry fire for proof of an empty gun, I would get an official to overrule that decision or select another gun for IDPA. The warning in the manual not to dry fire is there for a reason. __________________ ONE NATION UNDER GOD

January 27, 2002, 09:35 AM	#5
Sackett Member Join Date: December 27, 1998 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 54	For dry firing, why not use a dummy cartridge such as "Snap Cap" or some other brand? Rack the slide just enough to engage the firing mechanism but not enough to eject the cartridge. Then the firing pin has a "primer" to strike. __________________ Texas! It's like a whole other country.

January 25, 2002, 09:13 PM	#3
30ish in Ga Junior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Posts: 8	At the end of each stage the gun must be either dry fired or the hammer dropped to show that the gun is not loaded. "Dropping the hammer " is the loosley used phrase used to execute this manuver. Not technically correct, but understood by all in the context of the moment.

January 26, 2002, 07:16 AM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	In other words they want to hear it go click. I don't think dry firing as you describe will hurt anything. But it might not hurt to have an extra striker/firing pin on hand just in case. George

January 28, 2002, 08:58 AM	#6
Ultraman Member Join Date: December 24, 2001 Location: Sarasota FL Posts: 60	I have 2 Ponys and a Mustang. Love them! I dry fire my carry PONY every day. I try to dry fire it at least 50 times. The trigger just keeps getting better and better. After reading the post this morning I got out my instruction manual and what it saids is "never dry fire the pistol WHEN THE SLIDE IS REMOVED FROM THE RECEIVER" not never dry fire the pistol.

January 28, 2002, 10:38 AM	#7
30ish in Ga Junior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Posts: 8	Ultraman-- You're right. I must not have been paying full attention when I read that part of the manual. Thanks for clearing that up. -- 30ish. "Never overlook the obvious"