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!
GMC(SW) - USN Retired 1978 - 2001
Leave the hammer down, otherwise the hammer spring will loose its strength quicker.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015

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.
This is a bit over my head but I did surmise that less tension is best: http://www.lesjoforsab.com/technical-information/durability.asp
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
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.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
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