Hammerli 208/215 Dry Firing

Just switched from a Nelson kit to a Hammerli 215, very happy I made the switch because the Hammerli fits me better and I like the sights a lot more. Plus I, historically, seem to shoot a longer sight radius pistol better at 50 yards.

My only gripe is that I typically dry fire a lot, and the Hammerli is not dry fire safe.  I have the Red Feather chamber flags and they don’t seem to last long when dry firing. Wall anchors or polymer snap caps also don’t seem to have any longevity. I noticed Carlson’s (of choke tube fame) makes soft aluminum 22 LR snap caps, so considering trying them.

What do you use? Or do you simply not dry fire your Hammerli?

Appreciate any help.

A strip off of a magnetic business card stuck to the breech face.

(Originally suggested by JackH)

Way back when, my Hammerli came with a dry fire plug. Looked like the Red Feather ones, but lasted forever. Probably made from a better plastic.

With most any "plug" type plastic insert, my opinion is they take a few hits and then may as well not be there.

My experience with these guns is that the trigger won't engage until the slide is approximately one RCH from full battery, hence the Larry's/Red Feather orange plugs. As such, they don't last very long.

"Magnetic business cards" OK sure, but I have a desk job and I haven't had business cards printed in 13 years, let alone magnetic ones. I'm sure someone out there has a stack; gladly send you a few Jeffersons and cover shipping to my corner of the USA.

I can't help but wonder if there's a plug that can be inserted to catch the hammer from falling all the way, yet still allow the trigger to be reset by cycling the slide. I had a setup like that when I shot a Model 41.

john bickar wrote:"Magnetic business cards" OK sure, but I have a desk job and I haven't had business cards printed in 13 years, let alone magnetic ones. I'm sure someone out there has a stack; gladly send you a few Jeffersons and cover shipping to my corner of the USA.

Are you sure that they are legal in CA?

DA/SA wrote:

john bickar wrote:"Magnetic business cards" OK sure, but I have a desk job and I haven't had business cards printed in 13 years, let alone magnetic ones. I'm sure someone out there has a stack; gladly send you a few Jeffersons and cover shipping to my corner of the USA.

Are you sure that they are legal in CA?

Don't ask, don't tell.

Blazin wrote:I can't help but wonder if there's a plug that can be inserted to catch the hammer from falling all the way, yet still allow the trigger to be reset by cycling the slide.

Yes there is. I use rubber bumpers/grommets inserted into the slide behind the firing pin. They work great and last forever. Search my posts, I posted pictures of my method on the forums within the past few years.

Edit:

Here, found it for you:

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t11188-dry-fire-device-for-smith-wesson-model-41#186836

Black_Talon wrote:

Blazin wrote:I can't help but wonder if there's a plug that can be inserted to catch the hammer from falling all the way, yet still allow the trigger to be reset by cycling the slide.

Yes there is. I use rubber bumpers/grommets inserted into the slide behind the firing pin. They work great and last forever. Search my posts, I posted pictures of my method on the forums within the past few years.

Edit:

Here, found it for you:

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t11188-dry-fire-device-for-smith-wesson-model-41#186836

Thank you Black Talon!!!!

(Hammerli XESSE here)

What they said about using a strip of credit card, with a little oil it stays attached to the breech face and doesn't move. Also haven't wore one out, if you do it's not a problem as a single credit card can make more than enough. My pistol came with a little blue chamber plug that didn't allow the slide to go forward far enough for the disconnector, but the credit card is thin enough to allow me to dry fire

Some really good ideas here, appreciate all the help.

I get tons of magnetic cards from buying car parts from rockauto. Anyone wants some, send me a PM.

I just received a magnetic business card a few days ago. It seems to be rather thin. Would anyone be able to take a thickess measurement of their's?
Thanks

The magnetic business card is a great idea. I've used snap caps and spent cases in the past.

xmastershooter wrote:I just received a magnetic business card a few days ago. It seems to be rather thin. Would anyone be able to take a thickess measurement of their's?
Thanks

 I measured mine that work great and the are 50 thousands (.050"). Just don't block the extractor groove area and everything will be good to go.
Stan

I've found the Red Feather (Larry's) orange plastic chamber flag/plug works fine.  It does wear over time but each one lasts many dry fires.  Here is the current one in my (currently dirty) 208s, beat up but still protecting the chamber / breech face

https://postimg.cc/Fkm152Nd