Storing your Bolt Action
- Thread starter PhilaMike
- Start date
Re: Storing your Bolt Action
I used to use snap caps for this, but now I drop the bolt handle while the trigger is pulled to de-cock it.
I used to use snap caps for this, but now I drop the bolt handle while the trigger is pulled to de-cock it.
Re: Storing your Bolt Action
I've seen too many old springfields, mausers, mosins, even had an 1891 stamped Gew 88. Never seen a weak spring. Not saying it can't happen, I'm sure it does, but I'm not worried about it.
I've seen too many old springfields, mausers, mosins, even had an 1891 stamped Gew 88. Never seen a weak spring. Not saying it can't happen, I'm sure it does, but I'm not worried about it.
Re: Storing your Bolt Action
i use snap caps or just hold the trigger as i close the bolt, decocks the spring just fine
but its just for peace of mind, i dont think it really matters.
i use snap caps or just hold the trigger as i close the bolt, decocks the spring just fine
but its just for peace of mind, i dont think it really matters.
Re: Storing your Bolt Action
I've been told 3 lines of thought. Just put it on safe with to store it with bolt in. Pull the bolt out store so if something happens like a water pipe breaks or a flood at least the gun isn't rusted shut. Or ride the bolt home while holding the trigger on an empty chamber taking some of the pressure of the spring.
I prefer the bolt out of the gun if I have it in a pelican case traveling. Otherwise if its in my safe I de-cock it as mentioned above. Have not found any of the above to be better then the others.
I'm curious if storing it with the bolt out of the gun with some kind of humidity control present would help preserve the barrel.
I've been told 3 lines of thought. Just put it on safe with to store it with bolt in. Pull the bolt out store so if something happens like a water pipe breaks or a flood at least the gun isn't rusted shut. Or ride the bolt home while holding the trigger on an empty chamber taking some of the pressure of the spring.
I prefer the bolt out of the gun if I have it in a pelican case traveling. Otherwise if its in my safe I de-cock it as mentioned above. Have not found any of the above to be better then the others.
I'm curious if storing it with the bolt out of the gun with some kind of humidity control present would help preserve the barrel.
Re: Storing your Bolt Action
Storing the bolt out of the rifle, with the bolt locked up in the other part of the house may discourage theft.
Storing the bolt out of the rifle, with the bolt locked up in the other part of the house may discourage theft.
Re: Storing your Bolt Action
In the past I have, for security, removed the bolts and stored them in a separate lockable cabinet (I think this is actually recommended practice or even a legal requirement in the UK??).
But that became a bit of a PITA when the cabinet got too full and it took a while to sort through 9 or 10 bolts everytime you wanted to take a rifle out...I was also worried about damaging the bolts in the tangle so at one point had them all in separate bolt sheaths.
IMHO, setting aside the possible damage to the firing pin spring being under maximum tension, storing the rifle with the bolt closed could potentially lead to some accidents if you were ever to inadvertently leave rounds in the mag....as Rob says, you assume everyone is safety conscious and wouldn't do this.....but accidents and oversights can and do happen.
I store my rifles with the bolts in and open, never closed.
Lets the air circulate and I have silica gel in the safe to soak up humidity.
I also leave rolled up kitchen towel in the chamber to soak uo any oil that may be tempted to leak back into the trigger group.
In the past I have, for security, removed the bolts and stored them in a separate lockable cabinet (I think this is actually recommended practice or even a legal requirement in the UK??).
But that became a bit of a PITA when the cabinet got too full and it took a while to sort through 9 or 10 bolts everytime you wanted to take a rifle out...I was also worried about damaging the bolts in the tangle so at one point had them all in separate bolt sheaths.
IMHO, setting aside the possible damage to the firing pin spring being under maximum tension, storing the rifle with the bolt closed could potentially lead to some accidents if you were ever to inadvertently leave rounds in the mag....as Rob says, you assume everyone is safety conscious and wouldn't do this.....but accidents and oversights can and do happen.
I store my rifles with the bolts in and open, never closed.
Lets the air circulate and I have silica gel in the safe to soak up humidity.
I also leave rolled up kitchen towel in the chamber to soak uo any oil that may be tempted to leak back into the trigger group.
