Safety First: Your Foundation for Success
From the moment you pick up an AR-15, the goal isn’t just about hitting a target; it’s about the journey of refinement, accuracy, and mastery. One of the most overlooked, yet incredibly valuable, tools in this journey is dry firing. While it may sound like a simple exercise, dry firing is a dynamic training method that can dramatically improve your shooting skills, all without the expense and logistics of live ammunition. This comprehensive guide is designed to walk you through every aspect of how to dryfire your AR-15 safely and effectively, from understanding the essential safety protocols to exploring a variety of drills that will elevate your marksmanship.
Before even thinking about touching your AR-15, the most crucial aspect of dry firing, or any firearm practice, is safety. This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a non-negotiable principle. Neglecting safety can lead to serious consequences, and it’s something that must be ingrained into every shooter’s mindset.
Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded. This golden rule is the cornerstone of responsible gun ownership and handling. Even if you are absolutely certain your AR-15 is unloaded, maintain a cautious approach. This habit will protect you and those around you, ensuring a safe environment for practice.
Clearing your AR-15 is the next critical step, one that must be performed with precision and care.
Remove the Magazine
The first step is to remove the magazine.
Open the Bolt
Then, pull the charging handle fully to the rear, opening the bolt and ejecting any potential round in the chamber.
Visually Inspect
Now, visually inspect the chamber. Look inside to confirm that it is empty.
Confirm Empty Chamber
You can also manually inspect the chamber, by either putting a finger into the chamber or using a cleaning rod. This needs to be done with extreme caution.
Lock the Bolt
The final step is to lock the bolt to the rear.
Only after completing this rigorous clearing procedure can you confidently proceed with dry firing.
The surrounding environment also demands your attention. Choose a safe location free from distractions and potential hazards. Ensure a clear and solid backstop that can contain a round in the unlikely event of an accidental discharge. Inform anyone else in the area, making them aware of your activity, and keeping them away. The practice space must be well-lit, offering a clear view of your target and surrounding area.
Last, and perhaps the most easily forgotten safety precaution, is eye protection. Always wear shooting glasses. If something were to go wrong, whether a snap cap breaks apart or a small component fragments, your eyes are precious and need to be protected.
Preparing Your AR-15 for Practice
Having mastered the safety protocols, it’s time to set up your AR-15 for practice. This involves using the right equipment and understanding its importance in preventing damage to your firearm.
While dry firing does not involve live ammunition, there are some preparations needed.
Training Magazines
You can use an empty magazine.
Empty Magazine
Or use any other training magazines.
These modifications make it even more safe to practice.
Snap caps or dummy rounds are your best friends. They serve as inert substitutes for live ammunition, allowing you to cycle the action of your AR-15 without the risk of a negligent discharge or potential damage to your firing pin.
Understanding Snap Caps and Dummy Rounds
These devices are designed to simulate the dimensions and weight of a live round. They protect the firing pin by absorbing the impact when the trigger is pulled.
Choosing the Right Snap Caps
Several types of snap caps are available on the market. Some are made from a solid polymer, while others have a spring-loaded or rubberized component that absorbs the firing pin’s impact. When you are choosing which snap caps to buy, be sure to read reviews and see what the other owners say.
Inserting and Ejecting
Insert the snap cap into the chamber and then operate the charging handle as you would with live ammunition. This is very important.
Checking for Function
After dry firing, always check that the snap cap ejected.
The target setup is equally critical. Regardless of whether you are training indoors or outdoors, you will need to create a defined target area. The target itself can range from paper targets to reactive steel targets. However, ensure the area is free of obstructions and that you are not pointing your AR-15 at anything you do not intend to shoot.
Dry Firing Drills: Sharpening Your Skills
With your AR-15 safely cleared, and your practice area prepared, you are ready to begin the drills. These exercises focus on the different aspects of marksmanship.
The Fundamentals
Mastering the fundamentals is essential, and these building blocks must be practiced repeatedly.
Stance
Experiment with different stances to find one that provides stability and control. The most important thing is a comfortable and repeatable position, with a slight bend in the knees, and your weight balanced.
Grip
A proper grip on the AR-15 is essential. Hold the rifle firmly, but not too tightly. Your dominant hand should wrap around the pistol grip, while your support hand holds the forend.
Breathing
Breath control is a very important part of the equation. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and pause just before you break the shot.
Sight Alignment
Align your sights to the target. The front sight post should be centered in the rear aperture.
Trigger Control
Trigger control is one of the most critical skills to master. This is where the shooter learns the subtle skill of making the rifle fire without disturbing the sight picture.
Smooth, Consistent Pull
The key to trigger control is a smooth, deliberate, and consistent trigger pull. Practice squeezing the trigger steadily and evenly. This prevents jerking the trigger, which can cause the shot to go off target.
Surprise Break
One of the most important parts of dry firing is to train yourself so that you do not know when the gun will fire. By training for a surprise break, the gun will consistently fire at the same place on target.
Trigger Reset Practice
This is the process of letting the trigger come forward until it resets and allows you to fire the gun again. Practice the trigger reset to improve speed.
Dry-Firing Exercises
Dry firing exercises are very important.
Sight Picture and Alignment
This drill focuses on improving your ability to bring your sights into perfect alignment with your target.
Focusing on the Front Sight
Maintaining focus on the front sight post is critical. The front sight should be sharp and clear, while the target can be slightly blurry.
Dry Firing Exercises
Practice bringing the rifle up to your shoulder, aligning the sights, and pressing the trigger smoothly.
Sight Alignment Drills
Practice aligning the front and rear sights.
Malfunction Clearing Drills: Preparing for the Unexpected (Advanced)
While dry firing is mainly used to practice fundamental skills, it can also be utilized to familiarize yourself with malfunction clearing procedures. However, it is important to note that this training is for a more advanced shooter.
Simulating Malfunctions
Using snap caps, introduce various malfunction scenarios into your dry-firing drills. These can include a failure to feed, a failure to extract, or a double feed.
Remedial Actions
Practice the steps needed to resolve each type of malfunction. This may include tapping the magazine, racking the charging handle, and reacquiring your target.
Speed and Efficiency Drills
The goal of speed and efficiency drills is to improve your ability to transition to the target quickly and accurately.
Draw from the Holster (If Applicable)
Practice drawing your AR-15 from a holster. This includes the movements of your hand, and the action of bringing the rifle up to your shoulder.
Rapid Transitions
Practice transitioning between targets. This may include taking a shot, moving the AR-15 to a new target, and taking another shot.
Important Tips to Elevate Your Dry Firing
These tips will help you get the most out of your dry firing sessions.
Consistency is Key
Establish a regular dry firing routine. Even a short session a few times a week can provide noticeable improvements. The human mind learns by repetition, so the more you practice, the more automatic these skills will become.
Avoid Excessive Dry Firing
While dry firing is valuable, avoid overdoing it. Excessive dry firing can put undue stress on certain components, such as the firing pin.
Track Your Progress
Record your dry firing sessions. Note the drills you practice, the time it takes to complete the drills, and any observations you make. This will allow you to see your progress and identify areas where you need to improve.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful practice, you may experience some issues. Here are some solutions to resolve them.
Trigger Issues
If you notice a gritty feeling in the trigger, or if the trigger feels heavy, it is possible that the trigger needs some maintenance. If you are comfortable, you can clean and lubricate the trigger mechanism.
Sight Misalignment
If your shots are consistently off-center, you may need to adjust your sights. Ensure the front sight post is aligned with the center of the rear aperture.
Poor Shooting Form
If you find yourself struggling with accuracy, it is important to assess your shooting form. If you are not comfortable with your form, you can consider taking a class with a qualified instructor.
Dry firing is an incredibly valuable tool. Start dry firing today, and start seeing results!
