store mp15-22 cocked or uncocked?

bobermo · Jan 7, 2013

Newbie here.

Just purchased new basic mp15-22. Is it best to store the rifle with cocked or uncocked hammer? Seems if I keep it cocked, the hammer spring stays compressed. If i leave it uncocked, the firing pin spring remains compressed. Not sure which is worse. Also, if left uncocked, might the firing pin hit the barrel when i collapse the receiver as the hammer meets the firing pin?

Just curious how others store this rifle, as i don't want to accidentally dry fire and damage the pin or barrel. Wish S&W was a little more clear in instructions.

Thanks for your help.

Locked-N-Loaded · Jan 7, 2013

My rifles, in a safe (that should appease the "gun safety first" preachers), are all locked and loaded with the safety on.

Scopes · Jan 7, 2013

Same for me as well. Otherwise it's just a bat.

Kayback · Jan 7, 2013

Neither, either. It makes no difference.

Springs do not weaken from being in a compressed state for an extended length of time.

They only weaken from being compressed and released. Actually people who "un compress" a spring are doing more damage to it than if they just left it.

Incidentally the pin will not be damaged by dry firing, especially not the occasional accidental one. It does not strike the barrel. Even under full pressure it is a couple of thousands too short to do that.

Of course you should never accidentally dry fire it. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire!

KBK

Locked-N-Loaded · Jan 7, 2013

I concern myself about springs staying compressed in rifles/pistols about as much as I do those in magazines that are loaded = zero concern

zachnelson · Jan 7, 2013

My 15-22 is a range only device, thus I store mine with the bolt locked back and open, with no magazine in, and safety on.

JLK* · Jan 7, 2013

@Kayback,
Since buying my 15-22 last month I've wondered about dryfiring it.
The manual cautions against it but I too have checked it's travel and
it appears it will not hit the breech.
I have seen rimfire firing pin damage to the chamber area on other guns and I think I understand it.
Does anyone else have any thoughts?
Thanks!
JLK

BP_Z28 · Jan 7, 2013

Cocked, locked,and ready to rock

As to the dry firing please do a search, its been discussed many times. You can dry fire this rifle as many times as you would like.

CB43FAN · Jan 7, 2013

Kayback and Locked-n-Loaded, I disagree. I left my Colt 1991A1 coked and locked in a case for a looong time and when i got it out to shoot, I had about a 50% fail to fire rate. I could tell just by sound that the hammer was barely hitting the pin with any pressure. DO NOT leave any essential spring compressed other than mags. It may not seem as though it does harm, but it weakens the force required to hit the firing pin. I will never leave my guns cocked and locked other than when carrying.

moe l. · Jan 7, 2013

If you worry about this, just think about the springs being compressed for years over all 4 of your car wheels!!!

Kayback · Jan 7, 2013

CB43FAN said:
Kayback and Locked-n-Loaded, I disagree. I left my Colt 1991A1 coked and locked in a case for a looong time and when i got it out to shoot, I had about a 50% fail to fire rate. I could tell just by sound that the hammer was barely hitting the pin with any pressure. DO NOT leave any essential spring compressed other than mags. It may not seem as though it does harm, but it weakens the force required to hit the firing pin. I will never leave my guns cocked and locked other than when carrying.

Then you have the exception to the rule. Or the spring was suspect when you started storing it. The action could also have seized up.

Springs do not wear out or "set" when compressed.

KBK

CrazyFingers · Jan 7, 2013

CB43FAN said:
Kayback and Locked-n-Loaded, I disagree. I left my Colt 1991A1 coked and locked in a case for a looong time and when i got it out to shoot, I had about a 50% fail to fire rate. I could tell just by sound that the hammer was barely hitting the pin with any pressure. DO NOT leave any essential spring compressed other than mags. It may not seem as though it does harm, but it weakens the force required to hit the firing pin. I will never leave my guns cocked and locked other than when carrying.

Morbo says:

SPRINGS DON'T WORK THAT WAY!

les strat · Jan 7, 2013

I keep my true home defense weapons (G30, 18.5" Mossy 500 12ga, and an AK and 6920 in the safe) ready to rock, but range toys and hunting firearms stay unloaded. That way I know and don't lose track of what's loaded, chambered, etc.

Now if the squirrels don't get their welfare nuts one month and start storming the house, I might change my mind.

agp · Jan 7, 2013

I keep mine unloaded with the bolt locked back. Its a range and doesn't need to be ready for anything.

TacticalTom · Jan 7, 2013

All my ARs and AKs are stored with hammers forward and relieved of tension....not that it matters (I know how springs work)...I keep a pistol with me at all times and its primary use is to fight to get to my rifle. Mags are loaded and stored with the rifles.

Dikinalaska · Jan 8, 2013

JLK* said:
@Kayback,
Since buying my 15-22 last month I've wondered about dryfiring it.
The manual cautions against it but I too have checked it's travel and
it appears it will not hit the breech.
I have seen rimfire firing pin damage to the chamber area on other guns and I think I understand it.
Does anyone else have any thoughts?
Thanks!
JLK

Just make very sure not to dry fire it with the upper removed. Don't do this in any ar, but this one being polymer could be worse.

gdnagle · Jan 8, 2013

If it is a concern rembember snap caps, rawl plugs, once fired empty shell case Remember fired no power, no bullet!!!

then you can pull the trigger when pointed in a safe direction, to release the hammer, or seperate the upper and lower receiver hold the hammer and release slowly then reassemble the rifle with hammer down problem solved. S&W does not recomend dry fireing them (if bolt doesn't lock back on last round you will dry fire) but that is probaly for liability reasons for them with damage issues. And yes all my firearms are fully loaded wheather they have bullets in them or not, remember the golden rule. One of my firearms a LLama .45acp has been loaded since the early 70's no problems with it.

Majorlk · Jan 8, 2013

bobermo said:
I suppose if I wanted to be totally anal, I could remove the entire bolt assembly when storing the gun. This would allow the hammer to be forward without placing tension on the firing pin. Neither the hammer spring or firing pin spring would be under tension.

This whole discussion is much ado about nothing, IMHO.

Does anyone really believe the military does any of these spring-saving things in real life????? The FP spring will last longer than you or your children will live.

Boz · Jan 8, 2013

I keep mine in a locked hard case, trigger released, unloaded, safety on and with the orange chamber flag in place. Exactly the way it was shipped. I figure if it's good enough for S&W, it's good enough for me.

DelFuego · Jan 9, 2013

Uncocked because:

An Englishman shot himself in the groin recently after drinking fifteen pints of beer and stuffing a sawed-off shotgun down his pants.

Apparently, the man was under the impression the gun wasn't fully cocked. Now unfortunately he is not cocked either.

store mp15-22 cocked or uncocked?

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