Firearms - Lesson 4: Dry Fire Training
Dry fire is the act of manipulating a firearm with:
No live ammunition in the firearm
No live ammunition in any magazines being used
No live ammunition in the room where you will be training
If there is any way a live round could be chambered in the firearm, you are not doing dry fire.
Dry Fire Safety Rules
Eliminate all distractions during dry fire training. Only dry fire when you are well-rested, alert, and free from the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other impairing substances. Your training should be deliberate and intentional.
Remove and lock away all ammunition from your firearm and from the training area. Ideally, designate a permanent dry fire zone where live ammo is never allowed.
Visually and physically inspect your firearm, magazines, pockets, pouches, and mag holders to confirm there are no live rounds. Then, audibly state to yourself:
“My weapon and magazines are clear. No live rounds are present.”Use dedicated dry fire targets placed in front of a backstop capable of safely stopping a round in case of a negligent discharge.
If your concentration is interrupted at any point, restart the process from step 1 before continuing.
Training Mindset
Focus on quality, not quantity. A hundred sloppy reps builds bad habits. When you perform a good rep, pause and take a moment to feel what “right” feels like. Dry fire is where you build perfect mechanics. Start slow, then build speed.
When your session is complete, stop immediately.
The transition between dry fire and live fire is when many negligent discharges occur. Your brain must clearly separate “dry fire” mode from “live fire” mode. Treat this transition seriously.At the end of your session, audibly say out loud at least three times:
“I am done dry firing.”
This may sound silly, but it serves as a powerful mental cue to reinforce that training is over. You must never return for “just one more rep.” That’s how accidents happen.
Final Safety Note
If there are any distractions, STOP. Be especially cautious when your dry fire session is over and you're reintroducing live ammunition into your firearm. Many negligent discharges occur when someone reloads and decides to do “just one more dry fire rep”- only to shoot their television, wall, or worse.
Do not allow live ammunition in the practice area or room. Ever.
