Storing guns - cocked or not (and a question about dry firing)

[Argyle]

My Lanber double barrel and Hatsan semi automatic (yes, I finally bought a semi) are currently sitting in the safe. The Lanber is cocked, whilst the Hatsan isn't (I dry fired it before storing it, without a snap cap). Does it make any difference which way the guns are stored? I'd hate to damage either of them.

On a side note, will dry firing either do damage to the springs? And if I do dry fire the Hatsan, should I do it with a snap cap?

 

[joed]

Myself, I would not leave a gun cocked in storage. Will it hurt it? Probably not, but it's a personal thing with me.

 

[kozak6]

Do you park your car on jacks so you don't wear out the suspension?

Dry firing doesn't hurt the springs, but it might hurt the firing pin. I wouldn't dry fire the Hatsan without a snap cap (or at all) since you might not be able to get parts or service for it.

 

[Lafitte]

I leave my shotguns cocked, have done it for years. I started doing it after I broke a firing pin in a Winchester 101.
Lafitte

 

[Sav .250]

Not saying your wrong but kind of late in the game to ask.........

 

[Virginian]

Properly designed coil springs will not be damaged if stored compressed. That is why coil springs were invented.
Leaf springs can take a set, so it is best to dry fire them with a snap cap in the chamber. This is doubly true with O/Us and SxS as they are more likely to be damaged due to dry firing with no snap cap. Most semi autos and pumps are far less likely to be damaged due to the design.
If you get snap caps, the A-Zoom aluminum ones are about the best that is easy to find. Be advised they make snap caps AND dummy rounds that can double as a snap cap, If you plan to check function on a semi or a pump, get the dummy rounds. The ones made with clear and red plastic tend to break the rim off very quickly.

 

[jmr40]

Most modern rifles and handguns can be dry fired as much as you want. But it does depend on the individual gun, there are some exceptions. Shotguns, especially doubles are different. The semi-auto probably won't be hurt for occasional dry firings, maybe even a lot of them. The double shouldn't be dry fired without snap caps. It wouldn't hurt to buy snap caps for it.

 

[Jim Watson]

Instructions with my Browning Superposed, ca 1970, said it was ok to either snap them down or leave them cocked.
Snap caps are safest on doubles, my auto and pump don't seem to care.

 

[SwampWolf]

Myself, I would not leave a gun cocked in storage. Will it hurt it? Probably not, but it's a personal thing with me.

Same here and with the same "personal thing" caveat.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I do not know about the Lanber double barrel, but my Europen American Armory manual for the Baikal IZH43 side by side shotgun under "To Unload Shotgun" -- after steps 1)--4) to assure the chambers are unloaded and the bores are clear -- step 5): "We suggest that you remove the hammer spring's compression by pulling each trigger or in the case of a single trigger gun pulling the trigger for each barrel."
That would be every time you unload the gun. IZH43 is a gun with coil hammer springs. I only de-compress the hammer springs if the gun goes into storage 6 months or more.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Coil springs will take a set if left compressed for a long time, it just might not be noticeable. I never leave a hammer cocked on any firearm when I put it away. If there is not an external hammer to lower, I put a snap cap in the chamber and pull the trigger on the snap cap. Snap caps are cheaper than replacing a firing pin.

However I will say that when my Dad gave me his old Browning Double Auto it had probably been standing in his closet with the hammer cocked for about 30 years. It never failed to fire.

 

[Virginian]

Properly designed and manufactured coil springs will NOT take a set. The same can be said of leaf springs, but the size required is prohibitive for guns. Look at the leaf springs on a truck and it's easy to understand why they don't take a set. I have designed both kinds. The stresses in a coil design are far lower due to the way they function.

 

[SwampWolf]

However I will say that when my Dad gave me his old Browning Double Auto it had probably been standing in his closet with the hammer cocked for about 30 years. It never failed to fire.

I bought my Double Auto new in 1961. I still have it and it has never failed to fire-of course, I always uncock the hammer when its being stored.