Dry Fire Practice: Train Smarter Without Using Ammo
by Adam Johnson – A Team Firearms Instruction
A lot of people think that in order to train, you have to be on the range, burning through boxes of ammo. But here’s the truth:
You can dramatically improve your skills — without firing a single round.
It’s called dry fire practice, and it’s one of the most effective, low-cost ways to build real-world firearms skills, especially when combined with live-fire range time.
What Is Dry Fire Practice?
Dry fire is the act of practicing with your firearm without using live ammunition. You’re still performing the same motions:
Drawing from a holster
Aiming
Trigger press
Reloads
Malfunction drills
The only difference? There’s no bang — and no brass.
Why It Works
Dry fire helps build:
Muscle memory
Trigger control
Sight picture consistency
Smooth drawstrokes
Reload and manipulation speed
And perhaps most importantly, it helps train your mindset and discipline, because you’re focusing without distraction.
How to Set Up a Dry Fire Session
Here’s how I recommend starting:
Clear Your Firearm (Twice)
Double-check that your gun is unloaded. Then check again. No live ammo in the room — ever.Use a Safe Backdrop
Always dry fire in a safe direction — preferably at a target or wall that could safely stop a round just in case.Choose a Focus
Don’t just go through the motions. Focus each session on one skill:Draw and present from concealment
Sight alignment and sight picture
Trigger press without sight movement
Magazine changes
Clearing malfunctions (with dummy rounds)
Keep Sessions Short (5–10 Minutes)
Quality over quantity. Stay sharp and focused, then stop. You’ll get more benefit from a few focused reps than 100 lazy ones.
What to Practice
Perfect Trigger Press: Press slowly, watching your sights. They shouldn’t move at all.
Drawing From Concealment: Build smooth, consistent motion from holster to extension.
Reloads: Practice both emergency and tactical reloads.
Target Transitions: Use post-its or index cards on a wall to simulate engaging multiple threats.
Dry Fire with Shot Timer or Apps: Adds pressure and tracks progress.
Safety First — Always
Triple-check that your firearm is unloaded
Never dry fire while distracted
Store your live ammo far away from your practice area
Consider using snap caps or laser training devices for added safety and realism
Safe doesn’t mean slow. It means intentional.
Tools to Enhance Your Practice
Snap Caps / Dummy Rounds
Laser Training Pistols (like the SIRT gun)
Dry Fire Apps (MantisX, LaserHit, etc.)
Target packs or printable drills
Mirror (to check draw angles, posture, and movement)
Final Thoughts
Dry fire practice is one of the most powerful tools you have as a responsible gun owner — and it’s completely free. You’ll shoot better, move smoother, and gain confidence in your firearm handling.
I assign dry fire drills to almost every student I train — from beginners to advanced shooters — because the fundamentals matter that much.
Train smart. Practice often. Build skill before speed.
Train Smart. Stay Safe. Be Ready.
— Adam Johnson