Storage questions for new owner

[Techse7en77]

I tried to do a search to make sure Im not rehashing an old thread... if so, please delete this thread and point me to the old one, thanks!

Anyway, I just bought the SD40VE and I was wondering if I should always dryfire the gun before putting it back in the safe. As it is now, I have been practicing holding and handling the gun in the house (no ammo obviously)... but when I put it away, I have been dry firing first because the idea of leaving the "firing pin cocked" seems weird to me.

Also, I store my gun inside a small safe... with a loaded magazine laying next to it. Is this a good way to store it? It will do no harm storing the gun without the magazine in place, right? I understand that having to load the magazine during an emergency into the gun is a extra step, but Im not comfortable at this point leaving it loaded into the gun until Im ready to use it.

Thanks everyone!

 

[litenlarry]

I don't think it makes any difference wether you leave the pistol cocked or not..As far as having the pistol inside a safe unloaded with a mag close by..Just me, but I would not store it that way..Do you really want to fumble around in the dark should you need it ?
My suggestion, store the pistol with the mag inserted, should the need arise for use, rack the slide and you are ready to go..
I have my bedside Glock with one in the chamber , mag inserted..Pull the trigger and it goes bang..There again, I do not have children to worry about..

 

[lhump1961]

As litenlarry said I can see no reason to store a gun intended for self defense that is not loaded. To have a loaded mag inserted but nothing in the chamber is as safe as you can get yet still having the gun ready if needed. I have a loaded, chambered auto within reach and feel very safe...guns don't just go off when handled properly. If a person isn't comfortable handling a loaded gun then perhaps a little more training is in order before you think about it as a defense weapon...that comment isn't directed at anyone...just a generic opinion! My daughter asked for a home gun from me but I won't until she has the experience needed to handle it responsibly. I LOVE my guns buy they are very unforgiving of operator errors!

 

[BBauer927]

I agree in "emergency" situation in the dark where seconds can make a difference from you being lock, loaded, and ready to aim then fumbling with your gun as a bad guy who already probably has his gun loaded and in the ready to aim position. I highly suggest keeping your mag in at night! You don't have to worry about accidental fire really because with a striker fire gun only way to fire live ammo is to rack the slide which takes a good strong pull back.

As far as worrying about the firing pin issue as bad as it seems there is no issue with keeping it cocked and no problem with dry fires. With the mechanics of the center fire bullets and striker pins they don't have the same issue as your older style guns with dry fires and such. I know people who carry with their gun loaded and slide racked so all they have to do is unholster, point and shoot. And they will walk around all day with the firing pin primed.

As for me. I have a 2 yr old so I'm just as concerned for gun safety. I decided still I wanted every second on my side when protecting my family so at night I pop in the mag and chamber a round and place in my safe. I moved my safe to the top of a 5 ft high dresser so it would be more than inaccessible for my child. In the morning when no bad guys decide to end their life early I pop out the mag and rack the slide to de-chamber the round and place back in safe.

Hope this helps. And best of luck with your new gun ownership. Have you took it to the range yet? Nothing clears the gun jitters than blasting a 100 rounds at the range. Most of your anxieties are due to the unknown. Once you start shooting it you will feel like you have the power instead of the gun.

 

[Techse7en77]

I havent gone to the range yet... I plan on going this Saturday. Thanks for input!

 

[BBauer927]

Very welcome. I think after the range you will feel alot more confident and safe once you know how to handle it in action mode. Keep us posted and happy safe shooting!

 

[CatFanInTn]

First of all, you should try and find your local Tractor Supply Store and purchase the 3 button Stack-on pistol safe for $69 or $79. I believe Wal-Mart has the same safe for something like $135.

Anyway, I have two young children and I keep my safe open (sat high on some furniture in my bedroom) with the mag in and one in the chamber pretty much at all times.

My thoughts mirror what someone else already said... if someone tried to come in on you at night, the last thing I want to do is fumble around trying to get the mag in and get it ready to shoot. I would rather just reach into my safely placed open safe and be ready to go.

 

[Techse7en77]

Thanks for the input... I actually bought a stack-on safe from WAlmart the same day I bought the gun. I got the PDS-500, it's listed as $40 on the site but it's only $30 in store. I was gonna take it back if it seemed cheap, but it's surprisingly pretty nice. Nice and heavy... And the bars that lock the safe are really thick. Once I get more comfortable with the gun I will start to leave the magazine in... Thanks for the input!

 

[J Rich]

To the OP store your gun how YOU feel safe.

As far as dry firing. It won't hurt the gun. It also will not hurt to leave it cocked. When in the cocked position the striker is only about 5% cocked. Pulling the trigger pulls the striker back the rest of the way.

 

[stringpicker]

Until you are familiar and proficient with the safe handling of your weapon, keep the chamber clear. Work with it, learn it, be comfortable with it. Buy snap caps and cycle the weapon regularly until you know what it's going to do to. Get a feel for the gun first, then you'll be able to answer your own question...everybody's different.