Dryfire Question

[Swissy]

Hey Guys,

I am still new to handguns and am interested in learning more. I am sure this is a simple answer so please go easy on me...

Without a magazine loaded and the slide has been pulled back...why will my XD9 dryfire but my Ruger LC9s will not?

[G.A. Heath]

The Ruger probably has a magazine safety.

[jed]

LC9S has a magazine safety.

[JALLEN]

I would think these details about dry firing, safeties and their operation, would be covered in the gun owners manual.

[Middle Age Russ]

Many pistols have a magazine disconnect, or "safety" that disables the firing sequence if a magazine is not inserted in the firearm. Some manufacturers even build this feature in when needed to satisfy certain agency contracts. There are different schools of thought about the true usefulness of such features, but some in law enforcement have been in favor of this feature from an officer safety angle -- that if the officer is able to remove the magazine while an assailant is trying to remove the gun from their grasp the gun cannot then be fired at the officer. To me, though, if the magazine is removed, the gun essentially becomes nothing better than a bludgeon regardless of who is in control of it, and I prefer that this feature is absent from all my guns.

The only gun I presently have with a magazine disconnect is a Sig 1911-22, which I may end up selling in lieu of something else that does not have this feature. Other than the magazine disconnect, the only other feature of the gun I don't like is the lack of a "speed bump" on the grip safety.

[jrs_diesel]

The only gun I presently have with a magazine disconnect is a Sig 1911-22, which I may end up selling in lieu of something else that does not have this feature. Other than the magazine disconnect, the only other feature of the gun I don't like is the lack of a "speed bump" on the grip safety.

What is a "speed bump"? I'm familiar with the grip safety (my XD has it), but never heard of a speed bump.

[Pawpaw]

The only gun I presently have with a magazine disconnect is a Sig 1911-22, which I may end up selling in lieu of something else that does not have this feature. Other than the magazine disconnect, the only other feature of the gun I don't like is the lack of a "speed bump" on the grip safety.

What is a "speed bump"? I'm familiar with the grip safety (my XD has it), but never heard of a speed bump.

In the image below, on the left is without and on the right is with a "speed bump".



The "speed bump" makes for more positive engagement when you grip the pistol.

Here's a picture of one of my 1911s. You can see the grip safety with a "speed bump" to the far right of the pistol. You cannot pull the trigger until the bottom of the grip safety is depressed. This is accomplished merely by getting a proper firing grip on the pistol.

[Abraham]

Swissy,

I think your question is a good one.

My Glock 19 will dry fire without the magazine.

In fact, to disassemble it, you have to pull the trigger.