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What's the best way to store a Winchester lever action?
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Troutdale, OR
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August 29, 2017 - 5:45 am
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Regarding the hammer position.  Should it be stored at the half-cocked/safety position?  Or at the forward/fired position?  Or does it not matter?  Just wondering if it causes any unnecessary wear one way vs. the other, such as to the hammer spring, etc.?

Thanks,

Don

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August 29, 2017 - 11:34 am
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This topic will raise many pros and cons. One group is adamant that leaving mainsprings/hammers cocked causes no harm. The other group simply asks, why leave a hammer cocked. Regardless of these two schools of thought, I always lower hammers on all of my guns. Cheers!

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August 29, 2017 - 2:15 pm
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Leave the hammer down, otherwise the hammer spring will loose its strength quicker.

Bob

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August 29, 2017 - 2:35 pm
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1873man said
Leave the hammer down, otherwise the hammer spring will loose its strength quicker.

Bob  

Agreed.

Everything I own is stored with the hammer down.  I have some guns purchased in the 1970’s that were never touched for some 20+ years prior to my retirement.  Imagine the effects of that extra tension on a century old flat spring.

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August 29, 2017 - 3:47 pm
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With “modern” guns it supposedly doesn’t matter….but I have to replace springs in modern guns on a regular basis. Most of them are normally compressed so that may have something to do with it. Springs in my old guns are all stored in a relaxed state, they deserve it after all these years.

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August 29, 2017 - 3:53 pm
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This is a bit over my head but I did surmise that less tension is best:  http://www.lesjoforsab.com/technical-information/durability.asp

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August 30, 2017 - 2:44 am
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Thanks everyone for the sound advice.

Don

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September 9, 2017 - 9:38 pm
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Having the hammer cocked seems less safe. Now, lets see is the chamber empty or loaded.Confused

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September 17, 2017 - 9:22 pm
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A little off topic but I always ,when putting up one of my bolt action Winchester 22’s, keep the trigger depressed as I slowly close the bolt to release the tension on the firing pin spring. You never dry-fire a 22.

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