Can you dry fire a double barrel shotgun?

[Bravo2uniform]

I just purchased a single trigger Stoeger Coach Gun for Cowboy Action Shooting.

I read the instruction manual and looked at the manufacturer's website and found no reference dry firing.

Additionally, this is a single trigger gun - so it has an inertial device that switches from one barrel to the next when fired. I'm not sure exactly how this works but it sounds like something that can be damaged by dry firing.

Do you all think that dry firing the shotgun will damage anything in the fire control group and / or inertia trigger thingy?

Thanks.

 

[JohnD13]

Get a set of snap caps and you should have no problem.

 

[Bravo2uniform]

Get a set of snap caps and you should have no problem.

That's a good point. Gives me an excuse to go to the gun shop today!

 

[Jim Watson]

I'd use snap caps to protect the firing pins.
Dryfiring won't damage the single trigger, but if it is an inertial switchover, it won't reset for the second barrel after the first click, either.

 

[BarkeyVA]

You'll need to tap the end of the stock against a hard object to reset the second barrel.

 

[DPris]

It can be hard on the firing pins & isn't recommended without snap caps.
Denis

 

[Hatchett]

Definitely use snap caps. I know of a Stoeger coach gun that was dry fired one too many times without them and the weird three-hole screws holding the firing pins in started to come loose. A tool had to be jury rigged to screw them back in. Snap caps prevented the problem from ever repeating itself.

 

[BarkeyVA]

Snap caps are definitely recommended.

Ever since I can remember, my dad, now 93, has made his own snap caps by replacing the spent primer in a fired shotgun shell with a rubber pencil eraser. He has never had a firing pin issue using the homemade ones.

 

[Onmilo]

What more can be said besides "Get a set of snap caps!"

 

[sniper5]

CAN you? Yes

SHOULD you? No

 

[oneounceload]

CAN you? yes..............SHOULD you? typically no, it's always better to use snap caps - whether SxS, O/U, or other

 

[Red Label]

I know for sure that I can dry fire my Ruger Red Label. This is copied off their website under FAQs.

Can I dry fire my Ruger shotgun?
Yes. All Ruger shotguns can be dry fired without damage, and dry firing can be useful to familiarize the owner with the firearm. However, be sure any firearm is completely unloaded before dry firing!

I don't know about the Stoeger or any other brands and I don't dry fire any of my guns other than the Rugers without snap caps.

 

[Bravo2uniform]

Thanks

Short of an explicit statement by Stoeger that I can dry fire, I won't. I will get some snap caps.

Thanks for the expert opinions.