Originally Posted by Rastoff

Interesting. I've actually never heard the phrase "hammer up" before so, I just thought you were speaking literally. When the sear is released on an empty chamber, it is physically up from it's cocked position so, that's what I thought you were saying.

I honestly don't remember anyone ever saying hammer up to mean a cocked gun before. I wouldn't because the hammer is not up when cocked.

Anyway, any gun I've ever touched in the military, was stored in the fired position. I store mine the same way. I see no value in leaving it cocked unless there's a round in the chamber.