Have you ever dry fired a bow?

[Lonestar Light]

I dry fired my Diamond Black Ice although it wasn't quite at full draw when it happened. String came off and took it to a pro to check out, all was okay. I was lucky.

[Target-panic]

yep, cracked nock split on release and the cable slapped me across the face. Scared the crap out of me. Not a true dry fire, but the result was the same. Restrung it, sold it soon after (old wood riser laminate limb Hoyt.

saw 3 true ones, 2 compounds and 1 X-bow. The compounds survived it, the X-bow did not.

[McPatrickClan]

I had a kind friend at my old church offer to give me an old compound bow for free when I was just getting started. He gave me some funky release that was very sensitive and I wasn't ready for it. I pulled it back to check the pull weight and... BAM! It blew up.... everything came undone. I took it in to Arlington Bowhunting World and as you can guess, that's when I got the most negative comments.

[Sparkles]

I have at a Texas ASA qualifier. Strings wound up in cams threw peep and cable guard off into the woods somewhere. Don't know what else gave the bow away.

[FireMedic26]

I did once, years ago, before I knew not to. The next day I told some friends about it, and that's when I was told to NEVER dry fire a bow. Had mine checked out and all was good. Thank God it didn't come apart because my daughter, which was about 1 1/2 to 2 yrs at the time, was standing about 3' from me.

[2B4Him]

When I first got my bow, I pulled it back with my fingers and the string slipped out of my fingers and fired. No damage, although one of the suppressor pads was knocked off.
A friend, however, got a brand new z7 and (it was his first bow ever and he'd never shot one) dry fired it. Broke both limbs, fresh out of the box.

[76truck]

I'm get real nervous to let anyone grab up my bow without an arrow on it. I'm even more protective with my Z7.

[KZ]

Throw it away

[KZ]

A friend of mine dry fired my matthews feather max and it was fine for a few shots,then the limbs came apart a week later just sitting in the truck.

[ecallarman]

unfortunately I had the misfortune of dryfiring my bowtech assasian within 2 weeks of getting it. Really upset as the string exploded. Took it in to the shop and got a stern ribbing. DIdnt even have to tell them what happened. Walked thorugh the door and he said "dry fire ". Never the less no damage, replaced the string and it seemd to be fine. Kind of nervous but I have shot it about 30 times with no problems. I guess I will get more comfortable after 50 or so more shots.

[Smart]

I'm curious as to why anybody would draw a bow without an arrow when that is like Taboo Rule #1?

[TXBlkCld]

I did it one time because I had a recto-cranial inversion. My dad and I were shooting the target and it was my turn and amidst all our joking around and laughing I forgot to nock an arrow. I drew, aimed and.....boiiinngggg. WTH just happened? Counted the arrows in my quiver and felt that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Not my brightest moment but fortunately I was shooting a Hoyt so all it did was sling my string leeches and peep sight off. Had new ones installed and bow checked out the next day and back in business. Lesson learned for sure. Dad still busts my chops to this day.

[Ol Thumper]

Everyone that shoots much will sooner or later dry fire their bow, Ive done it 4 times in 16 years with no damage to any of them, however I have seen several blow up being dry fired as well so as long as you have it checked out you should be fine.
On a funny note I all but knocked myself out once when I drew my bow back without an arrow and my release broke, that was the last time I drew my bow without nocking an arrow.

[thebomb6_99]

Only at half draw nothing was wrong with my bow.

[Willbehunt'n]

I had my monster dry fired last year and both cams had to be replaced. I would take it to your local shop and let them check it out.