Shotgun Firing Pin

R

racin

New member
A couple of friends of mine were gathered around a table at a local game dinner debating if you should dry fire your shotgun after hunting season. We know that dry firing doesnt bother the gun the debate was if its better to keep the firing pin relaxed. My thoughts were that it is a good idea because it keeps the tention off . Others said they never dry fire it after the season is over.
Thanks guys
 
Most modern guns are safe to dry fire according to their manual.

The springs are not under any threat of weakening from being left cocked as well...
Bottom line? It is your call as the gun owner on both dryfire (if manual says it is fine for your model) or long term storage.

Brent
 
Cycling the spring is what wears them out / but I wouldn't leave a spring "loaded" under tension long term either .... I say dry fire em ...
 
"modern guns", that's the sticking point.

I have a couple of OLD double barrels and have had problems with them as far as dry firing. Actually had the yoke on one break which hung up the whole action. The other one developed firing pin problems that necessiated a new one.....which had to be made!

Both of them have leaf springs driving the firing pins and old leaf springs hold up better if left relaxed.....or so I hear. Bought a couple of snap-caps and just drop the hammers on them. That relieves the springs and cushions the firing pins when they strike.

New guns not to worry.......old ones..... better safe than sorry.........
 
Snap caps, even really good ones, are inexpensive compared to replacing firing pins......I use caps in ALL of my shotguns - and I release my triggers after each cleaning, even if I'm going shooting in a few days
 
racin

We know that dry firing doesn't bother the gun
Click to expand...

At yet I have personally replaced around ten 870 fractured fireing pins over the the years. All were fractured about midway along their length. Some of the scatterguns were very early models, several were Express models (not that old). I make a habit of replacing the retaining spring during this repair.

As of yet I have never seen a failed retaining spring.

I am a great believer in dropping the hammer of 870 scatterguns on a snap cap for long term storage. It may help and IT CAN'T HURT.

Good Luck & Be Safe
 
I do not think it matters.

Just a point of order, the firing pin spring just keeps the pin back in the bolt until the hammer hits it.
 
nutty ned

[Just a point of order, the firing pin spring just keeps the pin back in the bolt until the hammer hits it. /QUOTE]

To be precise, the firing pin retainer spring is ONE of the safeties on the 870, it retains the firing pin in the rearward position in the bolt until the hammer falls, this is of great importance, and is not a JUST issue.

Good Luck & Be Safe
Click to expand...
 
Forgive me if this sounds silly...

...but if you're putting 'er away for a few months, aren't you likely to clean it?

Why not just thumb the hammer down when you pop the trigger group for cleaning? Problem solved.

-L.
 
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