Iknow dry firing 22 rinfire is not good for the firing pin, but how do you avoid it when you pull the bolt back and hold it open say for cleaning ?

When you want to drop the hammer, pull the bolt handle back slightly, then pull the trigger. The hammer will drop but will not fall with full force and will not drive the firing pin into its stop or risk making contact with the barrel. I believe the hammer will actually hit the back of the bolt as it will not have a straight smack at the firing pin. You only have to pull the bolt back about 1/4 inch to do this. If you pull the bolt back too far, the disconnector will not allow the hammer to drop. Experiment and you will see what I mean. You will also notice the hammer does not sound like it is falling near as hard, because it does not fall near as far.

Or, leave it cocked. With modern machine made springs, you can leave the rifle cocked for years, and not hurt it. I do.

Thanks for info Big Bore, Jack , both of your replys
make sense

You can get the plastic dummy rounds to chamber, then let the firing pin drop. An fired case will do the same, just align the previous firing pin hit in a different spot.

You can dry fire the 10/22 all you want. The firing pin stop pin will prevent the tip of the firing pin from hitting the barrel.

Dry firing a 22 rim is a no no, that is what I have told since I bought my first 22 back 1973. It is
a 572 fieldmaster, (REM. PUMP). But I was also
told not to dry fire any gun, be it a revolver,
center fire rifle.etc... I now have a Glock 19,
ruger SP101,,S&W 657. and ALL 3 of these
gun company say you CAN dry fire all you want!
I thank you for the reply OldWolf but I am
not comfortable dry firing a 22

I just drop in a snap cap and fire, even though I own a 10/22 and has a stop pin. I like to release the fireing pin on a snapcap. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.