What is a dry fire

A dry fire is when the bow string is near or at full draw and the bow string is released without an arrow knocked on the bow string.

Physics of dry firing a bow

A tremendous amount of mechanical energy is built up in the bow limbs when drawing your bow back to full draw. Upon releasing the bowstring with a nocked arrow, the mechanical energy is converted into kinetic energy and transferred into the arrow to accelerate it at a very fast speed down range. Almost all of the kinetic energy is utilised in accelerating the arrow; however, a small amount of kinetic energy is not transferred into the arrow but returned into the bow to be felt as sound, heat, vibration and oscillation. The ‘smoothness’ of a bow is a measure in part, of how much kinetic energy is fed back into the bow and felt as sound, heat, vibration and oscillation.

Think of string silencers, limb dampers, stabilisers and sting stops as accessories primarily designed to minimise the impact of that residual kinetic energy feeding back into the bow.

When a bow sting is released without a nocked arrow, all the kinetic energy must go somewhere, and without a nocked arrow to absorb that kinetic energy, it is transferred all back into the bow.

Bow design, be it recurve, longbow or compound is not designed to withstand this kinetic energy feedback. The kinetic energy is dissipated violently into the bow in a millisecond and exposes the bow to stresses far beyond its proper operating design parameters.

Compound bows are at particular risk of significant due to the many moving parts and the greater draw weight of these types of bows.

How dry fire often occurs

The user intentionally draws back the bowstring without a nocked arrow but unintentionally releases the bowstring. Usually occurring via:
- Experimenting.
- Trailing or practising with unfamiliar release aids (especially hinge or tension release aids).
- Accidental triggering of a release aid.
- Lack of concentration.
Bow sting or string cable breaks at or near full draw.
Release aid mechanically fails.
Bowstring unintentionally slips out of fingers thru fatigue or lack of concentration.
The nocked arrow is insufficiently spine (too light) for the draw weight of the bow and is unable to absorb sufficient kinetic energy.
The nock on the arrow fails and the arrow does not absorb sufficient kinetic energy.
User simply forgets to nock an arrow when preparing to shoot. Concentration is on target and or executing proper shot form not realising no arrow is nocked.
Slips out of fingers or accidental activation of release aid in process of letting down.
Letting the inexperienced persons try out your bow.

Impact of dry fire

The effect of a dry fire will range from instantaneous catastrophic destruction of the bow disintegrating in your hand to appearing as if the bow has is no damage at all.

A dry fire is a serious risk to your health as the resultant “explosion” of the bow puts you at serious risk of personal injury, particularly your bow-holding arm, head, face and eyes.

Immediate actions after dry fire

Your instant reaction after a dry fire is self-preservation. Immediately check yourself and surrounding persons for injury.

If visible damage is seen on the bow but still under tension, place the bow in a bow case or restrictive position to minimise the impact if the bow later “explodes” due to parts failure. Do not shoot the bow again until it has undergone a detailed and thorough examination by an expert. Failure to fully inspect the bow after a dry fire to ensure that it is safe to use will put you at significant injury risk next shot on-wards.

The benefit of having the inspection undertaken by a bow shop is that they can use a bow press to disassemble the bow to have a closer inspection of the axles and cams so that they spin freely and true.

Telltale signs of a dry fire

The bow has disintegrated and is now in separate parts
Delamination in the limbs. Can be minuscule to major.
The bowstring has derailed.
Bowstring and cables have sustained damage
The cams have sustained damage. A dry fire in particular will cause the thin “fingers” or spokes of the cam to warp, bend, twist or otherwise be out of shape
Cams rails where the bowstring sits show damage
The cams are out of alignment
Axels holding cams may be dislodged
Small c clamps holding cam axles absent.

Warranty Claim

Almost all Manufacturer’s Warranties state that any damage caused by a dry fire will not be covered under the warranty terms. Read your warranty closely.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. Resist the temptation to draw your bow without a nocked arrow. If you must, always nock an arrow whilst pointing the bow in a safe direction. Some release aids have a lock preventing the release from activating, if so engage before drawing back.

Dry Fire - Archery biggest sin