I carry my Kel-Tec with a full magazine, cocked, with one in the chamber. When I put it away for the night, I usually leave it that way. However, I wonder whether it would be better in terms of wear and tear to pull the magazine, eject the round from the chamber, and dry-fire it. Which does more damage --- compression on the spring or dry-firing? Or doesn't it make much difference, as a practical matter? What do you guys think?
Semi-auto Storage?
- Thread starter vperlman
- Start date
usmc-walker
USMC
its not a paintball gun dry firing it is not going to hurt it...although it is a kel-tec so it might...but anyways leaving it hot will not hurt it in any way and plus if someone comes in your house at night its ready as well
See above. Some parts on semi's will wear out after time and use. You aren't going to speed things up that much with the above description of storage. I keep one of my pistols ready to go at all times. Granted it's a double action pull for the first shot so it's not cocked, but other than that not much difference. If you get a reasonable amount of range time with the pistol on a regular basis, just note any change in function. If you start having issues you might need to replace a spring somewhere.
Bottom line, I wouldn't worry about it or over think it.
As was said before, this is not a paintball or air gun. Those you can't, shouldn't dry fire or store cocked. The spring in a springer air gun is huge and will suffer damage from prolonged compression. In your case, do what you want.
Good advice above. I know people who won't even store their magazines loaded for fear of ruining the springs. Some people are so set in their ways that they wont change even when given the facts.
cartisdm
Young & Eager
Thanks for posting this question!
This same thought has been on my mind lately since I will be taking my CCW course in a few weeks. While I plan on carrying my gun loaded on a daily basis, I most likely won't be droppin' crooks like flies, thus leaving my gun "cocked and locked" for extended periods of time.
Of course, I will be at the range on occassion but that still leaves periods of weeks in between removing rounds from the magazine. It's nice to know that's ok to do and not hurt my gun.
This same thought has been on my mind lately since I will be taking my CCW course in a few weeks. While I plan on carrying my gun loaded on a daily basis, I most likely won't be droppin' crooks like flies, thus leaving my gun "cocked and locked" for extended periods of time.
Of course, I will be at the range on occassion but that still leaves periods of weeks in between removing rounds from the magazine. It's nice to know that's ok to do and not hurt my gun.
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gunbuyer76
Drew Estate Sam
i rotate mags every 3 months in my semi's, and always have 3 for each loaded
See above^^^
It's good to rotate the mags out monthly. Then quarterly it's a good idea to stretch the springs out a little. Just my $.02
It's good to rotate the mags out monthly. Then quarterly it's a good idea to stretch the springs out a little. Just my $.02
I agree, wouldn't worry about damaging anything... It also boils down to personal preference. What good would it do you in a self defense situation if the firearm wasn't ready to fire, especially "when seconds count".