Safe to dry fire a 953?

[WMassShooter]

I've got a Daisy 953 that I want to use for the 10m target matches.

I need to practice my offhand technique and I was wondering if it is OK to just cock, pump and (dry) fire.

I've been told never to dry fire my CFX because it's a springer but I didn't know if that would cause any problems with the 953.

Any experience with this?  

Thanks.

--Hol

[daved]

For dry fire practice, you don't need to pump it, just cock and shoot, that's what I do with my 853.  That said, dry firing isn't a problem, unlike your CFX it doesn't  have a big spring and piston slamming around to break things :-).  Now if you want to really have fun, try shooting the CFX in our little competitions!  Later.

Dave

[ac12basis]

Hol
Just cock the bolt, and don't pump the charging handle.
I do that all the time w my 953.

Also w/o charging the air, it also makes it quieter to dry fire, which makes it a LOT easier to concentrate on your trigger finger and follow through.

BTW did you do the trigger "fixes"?  The stock 953 trigger is going to hurt your scores, it is gritty and heavy.  The trigger fixes are NRA/CMP/4H legal, so you don't have to worry about that.  Go to the CMP site, and order a booklet by "Tom Johnson"  I think it is either $1.50 or $3.  It is written for the 853, but essentially the only difference between the 853 and 953 is the stock, so almost everything in that booklet will apply to you.  I've been talking about that book enough that I need to go find mine.

[Mick]

Yep ... if you study the Tom Johnson booklet and the methods shown on Scott PIlkingtons website, plus carefully examine the 753/852/953, etc crudely stamped metal pieces and springs once you get it all apart, then you may find, as I have over the years, that you'll come up with your own unique method of improving the whole trigger cocking/release action.   Each rifle they make has some slight differences due to the sloppy manufacturing processes ... be warned.   Most mods can be made with the aid of a pair of small diagonal cutters, a thin warding/ignition file, plus a tap for adding the adjusting screw.

Mick