Internal Hammer Question

[Denton Dog]

I have recently acquired my first semi-auto rimfire, an S&W22 Victory, which has an internal hammer. When the last round in a magazine is fired the bolt remains locked open. Upon releasing the bolt to store the gun, the hammer is cocked. Pulling the trigger will release the hammer. But the instructions say to never dry-fire the pistol. Question: Is there another way to release the hammer besides dry-firing? Or should I just leave the hammer cocked??

[BigDog48]

you can put a snap cap or spent casing in the chamber, then pull the trigger.

[Denton Dog]

Originally Posted by BigDog48

you can put a snap cap or spent casing in the chamber, then pull the trigger.

Thanks for the suggestion, I have snap caps but I would rather leave the chamber empty in storage. It seems to me that in that case the choices are only to leave the bolt locked open or to leave the hammer cocked. What do other Victory owners do?

[2ffat]

I just leave the hammer cocked.

[Denton Dog]

Originally Posted by 2ffat

I just leave the hammer cocked.

Thanks. That's what I'll be doing too.

[Sevens]

Modern springs don't mind being compressed and left that way. The "life" of a spring when used properly in it's range is measured by cycles and not by the amount of time that it's compressed.

Leaving the hammer cocked is definitely the best choice and it's the choice.