Semi Auto Storage

[Daks]

Gents,

 

I had a look all over the net and there seems to be a lot of divided opinion on storing a semi auto 12g breech open or closed. Some say an open breech puts strain on the springs others say it doesn't.

 

BASC says store with breech flag which is fine, but heres the thing, my flag will chamber about 1 and a half inches into the barrel, so then to hold it in place id need to close the breech holding the breech pull and gently leaving it against the portion of the flag that doesn't chamber, in essence my breech would be now half closed. Doesn't seem right.

 

Closed breech and snap cap maybe ? Pin fired or cocked ?

 

Be nice to get some valid input on what others do, like i said there is divided opinion ?

[JimLondon]

If your talking about storage in your cabinet I'd say snap cap pin fired,the breech flag is there for other shooters to see the gun is not loaded and therefore is safe.

 

 

Jim

[Paul T]

For the semi-auto I'm pretty sure my Beretta manual says to close the breech part way, pull the trigger to release and then let the breech close fully. I always store mine like this.

 

Before some clever clogs say 'How do you know it's empty with the breech closed' the same applies to all my guns whether O/U or SxS - how do you know they're empty?? Well, I just KNOW they're empty, but I still have a check when I get them back out - just as you would do taking one off the rack in a gun shop.

[fenboy]

To store with breech open must keep the return spring under load , I keep mine stored with it closed snap caps are a waste of cash .

I see little point in storing a auto with a breech flag in place unless you do not trust yourself to make the gun safe !

[Mangled99]

Same here I

For the semi-auto I'm pretty sure my Beretta manual says to close the breech part way, pull the trigger to release and then let the breech close fully. I always store mine like this.

Same here pull the trigger with the breech part way closed, there is nothing under tension.

[Daks]

For the semi-auto I'm pretty sure my Beretta manual says to close the breech part way, pull the trigger to release and then let the breech close fully. I always store mine like this.

 

Before some clever clogs say 'How do you know it's empty with the breech closed' the same applies to all my guns whether O/U or SxS - how do you know they're empty?? Well, I just KNOW they're empty, but I still have a check when I get them back out - just as you would do taking one off the rack in a gun shop.

Same here I

Same here pull the trigger with the breech part way closed, there is nothing under tension.

 

Cheers fellas, that's what I have been doing, and will continue to do.

[ozzy518]

As above. No need for silly flags either. I know 100% that my guns are unloaded when they go into the cabinet.

In all probability they will have all been stripped, cleaned and put back together before being put to bed. Strange though that the first thing I do when taking a gun out of the cabinet is to check chamber.

[Will Poon]

Open or closed , trigger pulled or not , does it really matter if your using the gun regularly

 

As above. No need for silly flags either. I know 100% that my guns are unloaded when they go into the cabinet.

In all probability they will have all been stripped, cleaned and put back together before being put to bed. Strange though that the first thing I do when taking a gun out of the cabinet is to check chamber.

+1

[Daks]

Open or closed , trigger pulled or not , does it really matter if your using the gun regularly

 

+1

 

If it didn't matter I wouldn't have asked the question!

[Will Poon]

You shouldn't need to worry about modern day guns , I'm sure there capable of being stored in many manners .

[Daks]

Thanks for the input.

[WelshLamb]

As above. No need for silly flags either. I know 100% that my guns are unloaded when they go into the cabinet.

In all probability they will have all been stripped, cleaned and put back together before being put to bed. Strange though that the first thing I do when taking a gun out of the cabinet is to check chamber.

 

Same here, tho I always check when they come out of the cabinet too

[WelshAndy]

For the semi-auto I'm pretty sure my Beretta manual says to close the breech part way, pull the trigger to release and then let the breech close fully. I always store mine like this.

 

 

 

+1 this how I store my xtrema 2.

[Big Mat]

Bolt is always closed on mine when it is in the cabinet, side by side is always closed as well.

 

If you clear them when you finish shooting then they are not going to magically load themselves in the cabinet!

[1in9]

Store it bolt closed with the action fired off. You definitely don't want to store it bolt open with the return spring compressed.

 

On my Benelli you can ease the hammer off by holding down the trigger as you gently let the bolt run forward, as mentioned in earlier posts.

 

That said, dry firing the action isn't really an issue. Hammers & springs are very different beasts on a semi-auto shotgun or AR compared to a box lock or bolt rifle. That said as easing off the action is so easy, that's what I do.

 

[tbox]

I have a benelli so I store it under a thick layer of silt and mud at the bottom of a lake. Still fires fine every time ;-).

(apologies. On the train home from a well lubricated lunch with boss!... Hic)

[RAMMER BURT]

I have a benelli so I store it under a thick layer of silt and mud at the bottom of a lake. Still fires fine every time ;-).

(apologies. On the train home from a well lubricated lunch with boss!... Hic)

 

do you then use the mud as a face pack/camo before you go shooting

[tbox]

 

 

do you then use the mud as a face pack/camo before you go shooting

 

Naturally! And I use a number 9 Opinel for me manicure!