Store a Model 41 with cocked hammer?

[fred5876r]

Finding and inserting a fired case in order to drop the hammer for storage is kind of a pain, and the slide is harder to work the next time out. Is it really necessary? Will it hurt the mainspring to be constantly cocked?

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Generally leave mine cocked if used from time to time, but fire it empty if for my collection. Don't like dirty brass in the chamber and a few dry fires will not be a problem.

 

[505Gibbs]

I agree with Tom's comments about a few dry firings will not do any harm.

 

[shooter37]

I find that if I hold the slide just off battery I can dry fire without risking damage to the chamber or firing pin. About 3/32" is all it takes.
Al

 

[handgunner356]

It's really the cycles and not the compression that wear the springs, I'd have no problem leaving it cocked.

 

[eljaydubya]

A fellow shooter cut up an old credit card into a 1/4" strip about 3" long. He pulls back the slide slightly, inserts the strip pulls the trigger and slides the strip out. Jim

 

[JudgeColt]

As is the case with all "modern' .22 rimfire guns, the Model 41 is designed so the firing pin does no hit anything if the chamber is empty and the trigger is pulled. No need to do any of the extraordinary techniques mentioned. Just pull the trigger if you do not want to leave the gun cocked.

 

[johnd3]

Personally for all of my 22 semi auto pistols I use snap caps. I prefer to not leave any of them cocked and snap caps are very inexpensive.

Just my personal thing.

 

[M19-5]

I used a M41 for almost 4 years for bullseye.
Always left it cocked in the gun box between use.
Even after cleaning it I would cycle the slide which would reset the hammer and put it in the gun box.

Never had a problem with many thousand rounds through it.

I do use the credit card trick for dry firing the Marvel though.

Clarence

 

[JoeHatley]

I just use those inexpense plastic "snap caps" in mine.

 

[adowns]

Your car is now sitting in the driveway with the engine not running. One fourth of the valve springs in the engine are always "cocked". The valve springs go decades without losing their tension. I don't see why a gun's striker spring would be any different.