Percussion storage question?

[railshot]

I hope I am in the correct place to ask this question.....
How does everyone suggest storing their percussion rifles?

Hammer down, 1/2 cock, full cock?

The reason I am asking, is my uncle, that has my original CVA mountain rifle from 1978 that I built, has had it on his wall since 2003 at 1/2 cock while displaying it.

My first build, and I am still proud of it!

I will be buying it back from him "eventually", but want to know if I should be prepared for anything once I do.

Weak springs etc....

Also, I have 3 new builds, and want to store them appropriately with what works best.

Thanks in advance,
railshot

 

[Phil Coffins]

I let the hammer down all the way on every thing for long term storage.

 

[Bearkiller]

Me too!

 

[Swandog]

I've heard metal springs wear out from being worked. Sitting idle even with compression on them won't weaken them. Not as a true comparison but I have a recurve bow by the back door that has been strung for years and has not lost any poundage at all. Yes it's wood and fiberglass but...

Nice looking Mountain rifle! I built one too around the same time.

 

[railshot]

As I suspected and do so myself!

 

[railshot]

I've heard metal springs wear out from being worked. Sitting idle even with compression on them won't weaken them. Not as a true comparison but I have a recurve bow by the back door that has been strung for years and has not lost any poundage at all. Yes it's wood and fiberglass but...

Nice looking Mountain rifle! I built one too around the same time.

I love that rifle enough that I have been searching online for either a kit that somebody has not completed, or a finished one I can make mine.

I too have a recurve that has been strung for a very long time, and it does not seem to have lost any pull, but I am not sure of any metal fatigue, so I think I will chastise him for storing it this way..... Heheh, maybe even ask for a rebate!

Man I want this rifle back in the worst way....
Quite a few very good memories of my oldest daughter and I putting it together back then.

 

[Swandog]

I love that rifle enough that I have been searching online for either a kit that somebody has not completed, or a finished one I can make mine.

I too have a recurve that has been strung for a very long time, and it does not seem to have lost any pull, but I am not sure of any metal fatigue, so I think I will chastise him for storing it this way..... Heheh, maybe even ask for a rebate!

Man I want this rifle back in the worst way....
Quite a few very good memories of my oldest daughter and I putting it together back then.

I know what you mean. I just pulled mine outa the gun safe where's it been for years and it still shoots great. I moved on to center fire rifles ago and forgot all about how fun it is to shoot this rifle. I'm so glad I never sold it.

 

[railshot]

I know what you mean. I just pulled mine outa the gun safe where's it been for years and it still shoots great. I moved on to center fire rifles ago and forgot all about how fun it is to shoot this rifle. I'm so glad I never sold it.

You are so lucky to still have yours!
I would give quite a bit to have my original build back..... time to go on Face=yuck and make an offer to him..... I wonder if he would like a never fired Kentucky to replace it..... ?heheh

 

[Dixieshedhunter]

I'd run a patch down that bore with some barricade or break free collector on it. 2003 is a ways back.

PD

 

[azmntman]

I go on nipple or half cock, never full cock. All mine hit the nipple and fire fine.

 

[Swandog]

Here's mine railshot. All said, I have mine stored with the hammer down. I have a piece of rubber tubing on the nipple for dry firing.

 

[Rat]

You stored it so long the worms ate the ram-rod. Hate it when that happens. Half cock probably does not fatigue the spring, but why not err on the safe side?

 

[railshot]

Well, I just heard back from my Aunt Judy, and good ole "Grumpy Uncle Mel" will not give or sell it back to me, so on to the next project...…
He really does not know me, and I can understand his side, so …...
manure, I let him have it for $75.00,with 1 lb. of powder, possible, balls, ball starter, patches etc.... but he likes it.
It only has sentimental value for me, so eh.... no biggie.

 

[railshot]

View attachment 1096

Here's mine railshot. All said, I have mine stored with the hammer down. I have a piece of rubber tubing on the nipple for dry firing.

Nice looking rifle!
I will have another soon.....

 

[Dixieshedhunter]

CVA Mountain!

 

[toot]

leaving it on any thing other than all the way down on the nipple will over time cause undue fatigue on the main spring.

 

[Boomerang]

If you want even less tension on the spring, you could remove the nipple and let the hammer rest all the way down. I don't think that is necessary though.

 

[Adui]

I have seen several studies that prove springs fatigue (right word?) from use. Storing in a static position, either compressed or relaxed, does not in and of itself affect the spring. That said, on the wall, I suppose half cock looks cool... I however ALWAYS store my weapons both modern and muzzle loading in the fully uncocked position.

 

[N.Y. Yankee]

The last oily patch that I run down the bore I fold up in a square, place it between the nipple and hammer and lower the hammer down to rest on it. Never a problem in 35 years plus.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Removing the nipple and lowering the hammer may cause the main spring to press down on the wood inside the lock mortise. I wouldn’t do that, the spring won’t fatigue with the hammer on the nipple.