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Storing a lever action rifle
wolfpack
Member Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭✭
When storing a lever action rifle is it best to store with the hammer resting on half cock or all the way down or does it even matter? I generally always stored on half cock but have been putting the hammer all the way down lately. Yes with an empty rifle
Comments
I doubt it makes any great difference, but I let the hammer down all the way. We are talking about an empty rifle yes???
I have always done it hammer down.
I have always thought it best to store firearms with the springs "at rest," especially flat springs. But, I honestly don't know if that is important or not. It just seems logical that long term storage with minimum tension on the springs would be beneficial. I understand that coil springs can be compressed for long periods of time and still remain fully functional.
The storage conditions, ie, humidity, temperature, etc. are way more important than hammer position. That said, hammer down IMO.
Probably best to store lever guns with the hammer at rest instead of being held in place by the sear. That said, if you are talking about using a lever gun for home defense with the chamber empty but magazine loaded, having the hammer at half cock will make it a little easier to lever in a round in a hurry if you need to.