[RocketGuy]

Is it best to rack the slide or just pull the hammer back to cock a gun when dry firing.
Yes I am a newbie.

Thanks

[Dillinger]

Is the gun brand new, or has it been used/broken in and is new to you?

And there is nothing wrong with being a newbie. We were ALL newbies at one point or another.

[danf_fl]

When racking the slide, do not let it slam foward on its own on an empty chamber.

[RocketGuy]

Thanks for the replies.
Gun is new, has not been fired. I cleaned and lubed it when I got it, just haven't made it to the range yet.

[Dillinger]

In that case I would recommend racking the slide to cock the hammer, and as was indicated, do not let it drop on an empty cylinder, then dry fire.

The 1911 design was built with dry firing in mind ( the military only had SO much money for ammo, so dry firing was part of training back in the day ), so there is no need for snap caps or anything like that.

After you rack the slide and let it down gently a few hundred times for break in, then you can just pull the hammer back and dry fire that way in the future.

The slide racking is to just simulate action use and will help "loosen it up", though opinions on that sort of thing do vary from user to user. There is no harm as long as you don't lock it open and hit the slide release, letting it slam home on an empty chamber.

Happy practicing.

[RocketGuy]

Thank you Dillinger, very much !

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by Dillinger

In that case I would recommend racking the slide to cock the hammer, and as was indicated, do not let it drop on an empty cylinder, then dry fire.

The 1911 design was built with dry firing in mind ( the military only had SO much money for ammo, so dry firing was part of training back in the day ), so there is no need for snap caps or anything like that.

After you rack the slide and let it down gently a few hundred times for break in, then you can just pull the hammer back and dry fire that way in the future.

The slide racking is to just simulate action use and will help "loosen it up", though opinions on that sort of thing do vary from user to user. There is no harm as long as you don't lock it open and hit the slide release, letting it slam home on an empty chamber.

Happy practicing.

Sums it up

[JonM]

letting the slide slam home uncontrolled empty is bad mojo for any semi-auto rifle or pistol, not just 1911's

[SecPro]

Also I'd recommend snap caps or dummy rounds of some sort for dry firing.

[jpg366]

Originally Posted by JonM

letting the slide slam home uncontrolled empty is bad mojo for any semi-auto rifle or pistol, not just 1911's

And not on a chambered round either, unless you want a broken extractor.

Slam home ONLY for feeding a round from the magazine.