Does it weaken firing pin spring keeping clocked?
My girlfriend was attacked in her apartment years ago, and has never gotten over it.
She keeps her locked, loaded and cocked(with safety on) semi-auto next to her bed in easy reach 24/7.
Will that weaken the firing pin spring?
please answer.
She keeps her locked, loaded and cocked(with safety on) semi-auto next to her bed in easy reach 24/7.
Will that weaken the firing pin spring?
please answer.
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What kind of pistol? 0 -
I think you mean the main spring, since leaving a semi-auto cocked puts no stress on the firing pin spring.
To answer your question, yes. Leaving a spring compressed will weaken it over time.
Now the important part. Will it weaken enough to matter? Probably not. The designers and manufacturers build in a fatigue factor so that the spring is actually way stronger than it has to be when new.0 -
When I first answered, I was thinking of a quality pistol with an exposed hammer. Afterward, it occurred to me that there are striker-fired pistols. The striker spring would be the same as the firing pin spring, and it would be stressed when the piece is cocked.
So, I will also ask: What kind of pistol?0 -
...Springs weaken from being compressed/released, compressed/released, not from just setting compressed or released...[;)] 
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quote:Originally posted by COLT
...Springs weaken from being compressed/released, compressed/released, not from just setting compressed or released...[;)]
+10 -
It's called "work hardening", from movement, not being in a given position. They are designed for that already. 0 -
I've got a couple semi auto pistols that I've kept loaded and cocked for over 35 years with no noticable sign of spring weakening. 0 -
Some springs take so much compression, lose a little length, and then lose no more. Other springs will lose some length continually.
This paraphrased from Brownells.0 -
Well, if it's a flat or "V" spring than it can weaken by being compressed over time.
If it's a coil spring, than no problem leaving it under compression.0 -
Thanks guys,
"V" spring?...please explain that?
There are actually 2(or at times 3) pistols we keep well hidden, loaded and cocked in various hiding places around the house.(it's a pretty Large house)
Do any of my semi-autos have "V" springs...Please?
(All .40 caliber)
Taurus Millenium Pro PT-140
Steyr M-1A
Glocks 23 & 27
Beretta Cougar 8040
Sig P239
Baby Desert Eagle
CZ75B
Springfield XD-40 Subcompact
What do you think?
(don't worry, they are very hidden well....and ALL go into our gun safe when we're gone, or when any kids are over!)
Would it "hurt" the springs in those to be loaded and cocked 24/7?
Possibly since the model of pistol seems to make a difference, you knowledgable guys could tell me which would...or would not be affected, please.
They are:
(and one other...I forget what, I'm at work and haven't had my coffee yet. Ha!...but with think of it soon)
Thank you so much, if you'd tell me which would be "fatigued" more/not hardly at all....but leaving that way constantly, please0 -
Yes, some semi autos have V springs (eg. 1903 Colt Model M)
It is unlikely that yours do, as coil springs have been used almost exclusively for many years. We really need to know what make and model your guns are before we can give you a definitive answer.0 -
Old Fool,
With the possible exception of one more, they are ALL listed in my last reply above.
What about those make/models, please?0 -
take it out to the range and see if it goes bang.. 0 -
I keep my magazine for my Ruger #1 22 LR filled with amo, same question will that weaken the springs 0 -
quote:Originally posted by blogdog37
I keep my magazine for my Ruger #1 22 LR filled with amo, same question will that weaken the springs
I've had mags filled for years... They still function fine.0 -
Right blogdog37....it takes very very long times to weaked mag springs.
select-fire, yes...they all go BOOM now after being loaded and cocked for about a year. Will They Still be the same after another year(or more)for self/home-defence emergengies after staying loaded and cocked? (except for our range practice times)?0 -
quote:Originally posted by blogdog37
I keep my magazine for my Ruger #1 22 LR filled with amo, same question will that weaken the springs
Someone said that if I kept one less round in the magazine than it held it would lessen the chance of weakening the spring. (Example: keep 9 rounds in a 10 round magazine).0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I think you mean the main spring, since leaving a semi-auto cocked puts no stress on the firing pin spring.
To answer your question, yes. Leaving a spring compressed will weaken it over time.
Now the important part. Will it weaken enough to matter? Probably not. The designers and manufacturers build in a fatigue factor so that the spring is actually way stronger than it has to be when new.
Really that is not true many smaller cheaper semis are striker fired and it can weaken the spring to leave them cokcked for long periods. A man recently brought in a old raven he found in his mothers things after her death it had been loaded for years with a round in the spout. The spring had set so it did not have enough strength to dent the primer0 -
springs/spring steel.
it all has memory. the specially tensioned wire is wound in a way that it provides addiquate force to detonate the cap or primer.
if you where to do the opposite and stretch the spring and then put it back into the gun it would not have enough strength to ingnite the cap. Same is to be said of a spring that has been squashed or compressed for a long period of time it will loose it's memory thus losing its strength.0 -
Sorry Odawgp,
But you lost me with that last statement about a constantly compressed spring.
So you ARE saying that will weaken it?0 -
Some springs take so much compression, lose a little length, and then lose no more. Other springs will lose some length continually.
This paraphrased from Brownells.
A company that is in the business of selling new springs.
Really, if this is playing on your mind so much why not just get her a revolver?0 -
We both have some.
But prefer the semi-autos......so, I just wanted to know.
If you guys hadn't guessed it already yet...Ha!, I'm very curious and interested in Everything involved with firearms and reloading(being a relative new gun owner/user).
thanks0 -
Coil springs will eventually weaken. Otherwise, I'd not have had to replace so many over the years. True, manufacturers today make great
quality springs, but everything wears out eventually. When I was young, I thought that any new gun would be perfect out of the box
and would shoot forever. I learned better. If you want a quick test
of your firearm's spring, put it side by side to a brand new spring.
If your gun has been fired much over the years, it will almost certainly be shorter, even though it may still shoot fine. I have to replace coil springs in paintball guns quite often.0 -
Carried a 1911A1 for 4 years cocked and locked with no noticable weakness in the main spring. 0
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