Storing guns with the hammer cocked?

[DontBurnMyFlag]

Hey everyone,

I was just going through my gun closet and realized that my guns are stored with the hammer in the cocked position? Is this bad? I mean, Ill take my shotgun out, rack the slide, inspect it, clean it etc, and then put it back without firing the trigger mech. The same with my SKS and Kel-tec.

Will this wear out anything on the trigger?

Ive noticed at gun shops, when I ask to see something, they will rack the slide to show that the gun is empty, then close it without dry firing or de-cocking the hammer. So Im assuming its ok. But then again, thats why we have THR, to ask questions.

Any input would be appreciated.

-Kev

[RyanM]

Good quality springs won't fatigue past a certain point if left compressed. Cycling fatigues them much faster than leaving them compressed. So that means that rotating magazines actually wears them out faster than leaving them loaded.

[psyopspec]

I leave mine uncocked for long-term storage. I can't quote specific science behind it, but it gives forth a good warm-fuzzy which is good enough for me. Mags are stored loaded.

[rnovi]

Gun Safe - Weapons are un-cocked, mags unloaded.

Home Defense Guns - magazines loaded (loaded one round short to help prevent mag spring decay), round in the chamber, hammer cocked, safety on.

[Doc2005]

Specifically, I leave all of my firearms loaded to capacity, however, I never leave one in the chamber. It is too risky. I have an 11-year-old (Lilsureshot1994) and I need to assure that no accident ever happens should she ever pick up one. The vault is always locked, and shut. But, as anyone can attest, anyone can make a mistake and leave it open. Besides, it doesn't take me THAT long to rack the firing mechanism of any gun I own.

Regarding the spring fatigue myth, do a search here. There was recently an excellent thread about that very issue. I think it was here. Maybe it was Glocktalk.

This is a great thread! Thanks for starting it!

Doc2005

[John Hicks]

Two gun quick-action safe in the bedroom. Wife is on travel from work and is not home that often this year. Just a dog and me for a while.

Glock is one in the pipe, full mag. No safety, just grab and go.
FN FiveSeveN is one in the pipe, full mag, safety. Keys to the shotgun rack (concealed in closet) are in there too.
Mossberg is full tube, but action open (necessary to lock it to the rack). Push the action, hit the safety and go.

Once my wife is back for good, I'll reconsider, since I'll have backup and want to avoid accidents. My biggest fear is not being able to get both hands free to rack the slide, or barely having enough time to get the gun out quickly.

However, once kids are in the mix, ammo and guns are always separate. Period. Too much risk. I'll upgrade the alarm system if I feel I need more time to "arm".

jh

[Mannlicher]

should not hurt them at all.

[Reloader]

I remember a few years back, a writer for Gun Digest did an article on a WWII 1911 and magazines that had been loaded since 1945. They fired 100% and had no stoppages or problems. He also loaded with fresh ammo and had no problems. The mags were GI issue. I'll look for the issue and get back with you.

[riverdog]

It won't hurt the guns, but what's the point? The guns in my safe are unloaded; there's no ammo in the safe. The pistol, revolver and shotgun not in the safe have loaded magazines, empty chambers.