After loading and unloading a gun do you recommend pulling the triger or leaving the gun cocked while in storage? Thanks Ron Ocz

[Ronald Oczkowski]

After loading and unloading a gun do you recommend pulling the triger or leaving the gun cocked while in storage? Thanks Ron Oczkowski NH

[Johnnie]

Personally I wouldn't leave the gun cocked while in storage. It would leave the firing pin spring compressed, which isn't good for the spring. Also it could be dangerous leaving a gun stored in a cocked mode even though it is unloaded. You might know it is cocked, but others might not know it. Or forget it is cocked. Probably wouldn't hurt to put the safety on while in storage..... you never know what will happen in this world of people suing for any little thing that goes wrong.

[Derik Lee]

The majority of firearms accidents happen with a "unloaded" firearm, or atleast that's what the people say that it was unloaded. Better to be ont eh safe side and leave it uncocked, probably not a good idea to dry fire it either as there is the possiblity of damaging the firing pin. Plus any firearms safety course will tell you that you should store the firearm unloaded with the action open if possible.

[islandhunter]

Always clean the gun first after shooting it. Then I suggest using snap caps or a fired cartrige and shooting the gun to discharge the fireing pin. put it away with the action open if possible.

[bigjake]

never leave a gun cocked for any extended amount of time, it will weaken spring strenght, same goes for box magazines, take the cartridges out or the springs will weaken and will not feed properly

[tmackfrost]

I personally dont like to leave the gun cocked. Ive actually heard from many people that dry firing newer model guns doesnt hurt them at all. If you dont want to dry fire though, you can buy snap caps. Another trick with bolt action rifles is to close the bolt and pull the trigger at the same time which will release the spring without dry firing.