[ELI5] why is dry firing a bow so bad for it? Does the arrow really make that much of a difference in that regard?

Question

[ELI5] why is dry firing a bow so bad for it? Does the arrow really make that much of a difference in that regard?

In: 2366

Answer 1

So when you “fire” an arrow, the energy stored in the bow as you bent it gets pretty much entirely transferred into the arrow and propels it forward. If you dry fire a bow, that energy gets dissipated into the body of the bow and into your arm, potentially damaging the bow, and potentially hurting you.