dry firing
Trigger pull practice
Dry firing is practicing with a firearm without ammunition—pulling the trigger on an empty chamber to work on technique, trigger control, or muscle memory.
The term extends to archery, where it means releasing a bowstring without an arrow, which can damage the bow: Never dry fire a compound bow.
Some firearms can be damaged by dry firing; others tolerate it safely.
Smooth pressure on firearm
- breath controlManaging exhalation deliberately
- muscle memoryAutomatic physical skill retention
- follow-throughCompleting what you began
- gripSecure manual hold
stance · sight picture · reset · flinching · presentation · trigger pull · aiming
Emptied of cargo
- trigger disciplineSafe finger positioning practice
- double-checkVerify a second time
- designated areaSpace assigned for purpose
- visual inspectionExamination by sight alone
separate room · backstop · inert · precaution · accident prevention
Accuracy in shooting
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- repetitionAct of redoing
- daily practiceRegular repeated activity
fundamentals · skill building · consistency · zeroing · target acquisition · speed · qualification · competition prep
trigger control
Smooth pressure on firearm
- breath controlManaging exhalation deliberately
- muscle memoryAutomatic physical skill retention
- follow-throughCompleting what you began
grip · stance · sight picture · reset · flinching · presentation · trigger pull · aiming
unloaded
Emptied of cargo
- trigger disciplineSafe finger positioning practice
- double-checkVerify a second time
- designated areaSpace assigned for purpose
visual inspection · separate room · backstop · inert · precaution · accident prevention
marksmanship
Accuracy in shooting
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- repetitionAct of redoing
daily practice · fundamentals · skill building · consistency · zeroing · target acquisition · speed · qualification · competition prep · home practice
dummy rounds
Non-firing practice cartridges
- targetObject of pursuit
- marksmanshipmarksmanship, accuracy, aim, target practice, shooting technique
- Shootingmarksmanship, target shooting, rifle shooting, competitive shooting, sport shooting
- firearmsrifle, pistol, handgun, shotgun, revolver