Cocked and Locked question.

[RonGoode]

When a gun, a 1911 is cocked and locked, how long can it stay this way? Surely this is causing pressure on something. Is it the sear? I mean, if this is the way I'm going to have to treat my guns without decockers, how long can a gun stay this way? I need some information. Thanks.

 

[SkaerE]

i talked to a feller once who found a 1911 (his grandad's) after his grandad passed away.

aparantly it had been cocked and locked for 50 yrs and it still functioned great.

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now, take that for what you will. i didnt know the guy very well, and i never saw it so i cant confirm this or not.

wear and tear is what will wear out moving metal parts, sitting there under pressure shouldnt.

and as far as springs go, i've left magazines loaded for years with no problems

 

[1911Tuner]

re: Long Term Cocked

Howdy Ron,

Lay your concerns to rest. Skaer ain't jivin' ya. The hitch is with the
extractor. A correctly spring-tempered steel extractor as per original spec
will hold its tension when kept in Condition One longer than you'll live. Modern extractors? I can't say on the factory numbers, but my carry pistol has an Ed Brown Hardcore that has had a round under it continuously
for 2 years and has kept perfect tension.

So cock it, lock it, and check extractor tension once a week until you're
satisfied that it'll hold.

Luck!

Tuner