HW100 - OK to dry fire?

[samosho]

I'm a noob. Is it OK to dry fire an HW100?

And once disconnecting the pressurized air chamber, any need to release the air pressure still in the gun or is there any left?

TIA,
John

[grauhanen]

I don't know if this helps you, but you can "uncock" your HW100 by pressing the trigger while pushing the cocking lever forward.

[Mod90]

It's ok to dryfire a pcp. Just dont make a habit of it/do it too frequently or dry fire when the pressure in the reservoir is too low/empty. With some guns that may damage the valve or valvestem.

When disconnecting the gun from the pump/tank, always shut the tank valve first then open the bleed valve to let the pressure out of the line. Your guns check valve should keep the air in the reservoir.
Iirc the HW100 the reservoir is similar to that of the Hatsans in that it just unscrews from the action and it need not degassed before its removed.

[samosho]

I don't know if this helps you, but you can "uncock" your HW100 by pressing the trigger while pushing the cocking lever forward.

grauhanen, yes, thanks for the reminder. I haven't had this rifle that long and am still learning about it (and PCP's in general) and forgot about being able to "trip the trigger" as part of the decocking process which actually will satisfy my urge to sometimes "dry fire". Yes, I know that the feel and what's happening is not the same as when actually taking a shot but at least I can sight, aim, and pull.

It's ok to dryfire a pcp. Just dont make a habit of it/do it too frequently or dry fire when the pressure in the reservoir is too low/empty. With some guns that may damage the valve or valvestem.

When disconnecting the gun from the pump/tank, always shut the tank valve first then open the bleed valve to let the pressure out of the line. Your guns check valve should keep the air in the reservoir.
Iirc the HW100 the reservoir is similar to that of the Hatsans in that it just unscrews from the action and it need not degassed before its removed.

Mod90, I was actually removing the air reservoir and then 'taking the shot' or dry firing in an attempt to empty any remaining air pressure in the rifle. But when dry firing there was a pretty loud "slapping" sound which at first I thought was the air escaping (sans pellet). Then just to make sure all the air was out I cocked the mechanism and fired again. And again. Four times in total before realizing that it wasn't escaping air but the hammer slamming into a valve or other pressure release mechanism.

So, yes, I was doing what you described not to do (dry firing with zero pressure in rifle - reservoir was disconnected ). I'll not do that anymore. Appreciate the info.

Thanks for your posts grauhanen and Mod90.

Cheers,
John

[robertr]

 Not sure but I thought the HW100 was an exception to the dry fire rule.

[Mod90]

Most pcp guns can be dry fired with little to no ill effect, & this includes the HW100.

[samosho]

Not sure but I thought the HW100 was an exception to the dry fire rule.

Robert, what is the dry fire rule?

Cheers,
John

[robertr]

The dry fire rule is that all pcp's can be dry fired.

[samosho]

Thanks Robert. I think I'm catching on.

Dry fire a springer after cocking it and sans pellet (definition of dry fire) and bad things can happen since you've got a spring and piston slamming to a stop a lot faster and a lot harder since the "resistance pressure" will be a lot lower without a pellet having to be shoved through a barrel. A definite no no.

With a PCP though, no spring and no piston so no harm no foul. And with my HW100 if I have the air cylinder (reservoir) attached and with sufficient pressure remaining, I can dry fire and the hammer and spring and some valve that gets 'hit' all work as designed and is OK. But with no air cylinder and no pressure, the cocked hammer will hit the valve mechanism with too much force.

So, I will not dry fire my HW100 w/o pressure on those occasions where for some reason I want to dry fire (rarely now). This all came up when I was trying to release the residual air still in the rifle _after_ removal of the air cylinder. And it was LOUD. And didn't diminish after 4 tries. Guess there's no pressure left after removing the air cylinder.

Clear skies,
John

[robertr]

 I think I also learned something, like you say only a problem when no air in system or low pressure.