Hello. I read that it's probably a good idea to relieve the firing pin spring tension prior to storage. I have a S&W M&P 22lr. I saw online that I can use a #4-6 anchor or a spent shell casing to prevent damaging the firing pin. But my question is, after pulling the trigger and decocking it, how do I remove the anchor or shell casing without recocking it again?
Thanks,
John

You can get some snap caps or just pull the slide back a 1/4” and fire it so it doesnt hit the breech face.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How long of storage are we talking ?
If it is months and years, yes, go ahead and de-cock.
If you plan on shooting again soon, don't worry about it, there are bigger things to worry about.

And if you are planning long term storage, use the #4 anchor and after releasing the striker spring tension, just leave the anchor in there.
Why the need to take it out ?

__________________
U. S. Army Veteran

If you are that worried about it my advise is to make sure the chamber is empty , pull the trigger releasing the “spring tension “ put the gun back in the box and take it back up the gun store where you bought it. That way you will not have to worry any more. Seriously thou pulling the trigger on a empty chamber every once in a while is not a problem. I have checked the chamber of an M&p 22 that is a range rental at a local shop I hang out. This gun has been dry fired a lot and has no damage

Here’s another thought to consider......
I read somewhere,sometimes ago about similar concerns about wear on mag springs that
We’re kept under tension for long periods of time. Anyway the”expert” opinion that stuck in
my memory is that springs in general lose more power from constant use than from being
kept under tension for long periods.

__________________
JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

That is true. Springs weaken from constant use, compression/decompression, over and over.
Not from staying compressed.

__________________
U. S. Army Veteran

All springs take an initial set, quality springs weaken from repeated cycling, cheap springs are weak to begin with. I would not worry too much about the striker spring failing or weakening while being stored.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

When you get as old as me, you don't worry about anything..... Well, maybe there is ONE thing you 'think' about.

IMHO and :-)

J.

What you read is nonsense. When you are not driving your car do you leave it jacked up to remove tension from the shocks?

I use an aluminum snap cap. It is a bright blue color. I pull the trigger and leave the cap in there. Next time I shoot the gun the first time I rack the slide, the snap cap is ejected. The bright color makes it real obvious when it flies.