To store cocked or uncocked?
 

I have searched without finding this discussed.

I have a DHE and would like to know whether it is best to store it with the mainsprings cocked or dry fired? FWIW it has a Miller single non selective trigger.

I have read about the complex ejector mechanism and would like to store the gun in the manner least likely to cause it to require repair.

Thank you.

One opinion is:
http://www.parkerguns.org/pages/faq/Storage.htm

I store my guns with the hammers in the uncocked position. If a gun is left with the hammers cocked for a very long period of time it could weaken the mainsprings which can result in light primer strikes. I had this happen once with an L.C. Smith that was stored with the hammers cocked.

Should you dry fire to uncock the gun? I was always taught never to dry fire a gun but I don't know if it really matters. Nowadays I use snap caps, just because I like them and they're another fun accessory, but I don't know if they're necessary either.

it is OK to dry fire a Parker. See our FAQ on the topic at:

http://www.parkerguns.org/pages/faq/DryFire.htm

I don't think I would dry-fire a Parker Bros. hammer gun though.





.

I don't believe in dry firing any Parker, regardless of the little tag they printed. The hammer comes to a screeching halt somewhere, and I'd rather it get some cushioning from a pair of snap-caps than the frame pocket in front of the hammer.

From a practical point, I don't believe anyone has ever proven that Parker hammerless coil springs suffer significantly from long-term compression. Do you jack up your car and put it on blocks when you go on vacation?

From a metallurgical standpoint, there is nothing taking place that changes the ductility of the spring material.
The other reason I don't think it matters, in the case of an ejector gun is that the ejector hammers also remain compressed, even if you dry fire the hammers onto a pair of snap-caps. I have never heard of anyone storing their hammerless Parkers in a dry fired, and opened (ejectors fired) position

Ejector guns, I use A-zoom alloy snap caps. This gives the ejectors something to do when they are released...less chance for damage...(-:

Having snap caps in when ejectors are tripped do little to nothing to ease stress on the ejector system. The hammers are still firing and the kickers are still slamming i to the stop plate. Snap caps have no resistance on the chamber walls.

Even when the ejector hammers are tripped, the springs are still partially compressed.

As edgar said, from a metal composition and integrity standpoint, a spring should work as new forever, in theory. We know that this is not exactly always reality, but i think it has a lot to do with a certain spring doing the job it was intended to do and not being overworked from a load standpoint.

deleted. Multiple post

[QUOTE=Dave Suponski;199207]Music wire springs such
as Parker main springs will lose 15 percent of their rated pressure soon after being installed. After that the rated pressure will remain fairly constant. Any designer worth his salt will always use springs with a 15/20 higher rate to compensate for this.[/QUOTE

"From a practical point, I don't believe anyone has ever proven that Parker hammerless coil springs suffer significantly from long-term compression. Do you jack up your car and put it on blocks when you go on vacation?"

Well...putting your car on blocks is a lot of trouble. Clicking your triggers is super easy.

Things sag over time. Some more than others. Insert your favorite famous actress joke here.

There are bunches of old cars - let's say from the 50's/60's etc. that sit lower than they did new on account of saggy springs. Theoretically...I don't wanna get into a theoretical argument but rather the 'reality' is coil springs lose their 'boingyness' over time when left under compression. How much is another whole topic.

Boingyness? I like that.

No doubt springs, coil or otherwise loose a certain amount strength, either tension or compression, but this will come with normal use early on, cocking and firing, bouncing down the road, whatever. Beyond that initial "creep", remaining under tension or compression won't contribute further to it. One whole semester in the dynamics lab was a lot of fun trying to do what wasn't supposed to happen.

I leave mine cocked. I have both ejector and non ejector guns. If the hammer is tripped and you take the forearm off an ejector gun then the fun really begins:eek:

i too leave mine cocked...but i m sure they do lose a little of there tension in time... charlie

We're playing with 100+ year old guns. I don't think for a minute that through the years previous owners gave much thought to the springs and left the guns cocked. They're still working today. The magazines in semi-auto pistols are the weak link. A friend received some that had been fully loaded and put away for 30 years. They still worked just fine.

So why do the guns in fancy trunk cases always have snap caps with them :confused: ?

They need to fill the space with something.:rotf: Ever see anyone taking the oild bottle from their trunk case and adding a dab here and there?? It's all in the accuterments:rotf:

:rotf::rotf::rotf: