Morini 162ei - dry fire

[John Ariani]

After reading the manual (with disappointment) for the 162ei could you help out with information regarding the dry fire possibilities please?
There's not a word mentioned about dry fire in the manual.
I understand this much. With the battery turned on, I am able to dry fire without any cocking - or half cocking - of the pistol.
Where I'm stumped is when a pellet has been loaded and pistol prepared to fire. After aborting the shot I wish to return to dry fire before I take the shot again. How is this done with the Mornini?
With the Steyr models - you just lift the loading lever arm a fraction and dry fire is possible with the pellet still in the the pistol. The P 44 you just lift the lever and switch the safety catch accross. But I've been unable to work out what to do with the Morini.
I must be missing something really simple - so can you point that out to me please. Thanks.
Whilst I'm here seeking info - for those who use the Morini, do you find the cocking arm to be 'stiff' for the last 20% of the pull upwards (cocking)? Mine is very stiff. Strange that after experiencing the stiff action and then loading the pellet, if I then decide to re- lift (re-cock) it for whatever reason, the stiffness in that last 20% of the lift is gone. It's only after the shot and the first lift of the lever to load a pellet that I experience this. I've tried some grease at the pivot joint - but also can't work this one out. It doesn't feel 'right'.

[David M]

Lifting the loading lever on the Morini resets the hammer for the next shot.
The electronics trigger a solenoid to release the hammer, which strikes a valve to fire the shot.
Lifting the lever you will note a hardness about half way up. This engages the hammer. The stiffness is loading the spring back until cocked at full open.
It will stay cocked until fired. So if you abort a shot, take care, it is still cocked. If you again lift the lever the spring will not be felt because the pistol is cocked.
To de-cock, open the loading lever to near full up, fire the trigger whilst holding the lever. This will trip the sear and load up the lever with the spring pressure, then lower the lever whilst holding the load.
Do not fire the trigger with the lever only partly open, it may release air and will damage the loading lever pin.

[Steve Swartz]

Alternately, I just turn the thing off and dry fire . . . the only difference is I don't hear a "click" but can feel the moment when the solenoid releases anyhow.

AAMOF, a lot of my "dry fire" training is done this way ("pumping" a deactivated trigger instead of "clicking" the activated trigger). This is a good drill for keeping sights aligned through follow-throuhg.

Try it- if you concentrate, you will be able to "feel" the breakpoint of the shot release without the clicking noise.

Steve Swartz

[John Ariani]

Every question answered - and in detail.
Many thanks David and Steve.