Colt 45 auto. Hurt to leave cocked & locked?

May 24, 2004 12:22

Will it harm to leave a Colt 45 Auto cocked and locked for an extended period of time. For example, will it weaken the hammer spring?

Comments

4 comments

Laredo Lefty

May 24, 2004 12:30
The Colt 1911 pistols were designed to be carried in the C&L condition. It will not harm it to be cocked and locked for extended periods. I must ask, however, what you consider "extended".

Like any other gun the springs should be relaxed when stored and not in use.

"Never let school interfere with your education"
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perry shooter

May 24, 2004 13:52
HELLO no it will not hurt . I would not do it for months at a time or if I did would change out the hammer spring every 6 months. the sme goes for rounds in the mag.
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JudgeColt

May 25, 2004 04:34
In the 1970s, I bought a Colt Government Model made in 1918 that the family from whom I bought it claimed had been loaded and cocked and locked in a drawer since new. It functioned fine when I shot it.

I would not worry about leaving any Colt Government Model cocked and locked for any length of time, and would not consider replacing any springs on any schedule. The bigger danger would be solidifying lubricant on an unused gun causing malfunctions. Careful selection of lubricant and use of little or no lubricant will prevent that.
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Tailgunner1954

May 25, 2004 04:44
Ref the "Urban legand" about "relaxing the springs"
IF your talking about LEAF springs it's a good idea. However for COIL springs it's absoultly and totaly unnecessory to "relax" them.

Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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