Storing a bolt action bolt

powdergun

powdergun

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So typically I store my bolt action by holding the trigger while closing the bolt to take tension off the spring. If the bolt is removed and stored separately or left open is there more/less tension on the spring.

What is the best way or does it matter ?

Thanks in advance for the advice
 
I wouldn't worry about it. I'd be more afraid that I'd misplace the bolt than any kind of damage to the spring.

The general rule is that springs wear out with use, not with prolonged compression.
 
I don't think it matters. My opinion means nothing.
If it bothers you enough you could disassemble the bolts.
I've never heard of a bolt causing malfunctions because the bolt was stored off the firearm for long periods of time.
 
Thank god you didn’t say ease the spring, that gets the CGN heads spinning, the last time this was asked it sure highlighted a lot of people’s inability to read between the lines and think critically.

As Keller said the wear will be caused from use not storage.
 
On bolt action rifles, it had been my habit to hold trigger back while closing the bolt - for decades - my impression was that the firing pin spring was under less pressure than if "cocked" - and then I got a couple over / under shotguns - now what? - no way to relax those springs when closing the action - I do not like dry firing without snap caps - and not going to be storing shotguns with snap caps in chamber - was advised on CGN and elsewhere, that it did not really matter - the amount of tension relieved between cocked and not cocked is not even a significant portion of the coil spring tension when not cocked. So, if you have not formed "the habit" - it does not matter; if you have "formed the habit" - it does not matter. I am quite convinced that flexing (using) a coil or flat spring is what will "wear it" or "crack it" - I am not convinced that storing under compression of either coil or flat spring amounts to a measurable difference.

It might have all started with elderly "#### on close" rifles - M96 Swede Mausers and M1917 Enfield's - significantly easier to close the bolt if you hold the trigger back - the cocking piece does not engage the trigger sear - the action does not get "cocked". Then "#### on open" Mauser 98 - 98% cocked when the bolt handle lifted up - last little bit of cocking as the bolt is closed - just enough for the trigger sear to take the weight of the firing pin spring. Not sure at all how it works with "modern" designs - Winchester Model 70, Ruger No. 1. But, as mentioned - the "habit" had been formed and I just continued to do the same over the years - until I ran into those over under shotguns. There are now a number of them in the cabinet - all apparently are "cocked" and their main springs are compressed.
 
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If you want to decock a bolt for storage, go ahead. But I doubt it makes any difference to the spring.
The critical issue is to make sure the bolt(s) don't get lost!
We've all seen boltless rifles for sale, or want ads for bolts, which became lost.
 
I usually get a half dozen calls a year from people who "stored their bolts separately from the rifle" BIG MISTAKE.

Store the rifles with the bolt OPEN, in your safe, if you have one.

I went to an estate sale preview last Tuesday. There were five rifles available and all of them were missing their bolts. If they had been anything special, I might be interested. They're just run of the mill low end commercial sporters, that may have been worth $300 if they had their bolts. IMHO, they were worth $100 each, at most.

By the time I can track down a bolt, ship it, etc then spend time fitting it, if possible without pulling the barrel, etc. They're worthless to me.
 
powdergun said:
I was wondering as storage space is limited and taking the bolt out gives more room.
Click to expand...

I store my bolt action rifles in the safe with the bolts removed, that way they can be closer together without doing damage.

Than I fabricated a rack inside the safe door to hang the bolts, marking beside the bolt which rifle its from.

Only problem is of course not to forget to put the bolt back in when heading for the range.
 
To the best of my knowledge, the firing pin/striker is not compressed, until the bolt is closed and "in battery" in the receiver. So, if you're leaving the bolt out of the gun, the spring won't be compressed. There are very few exceptions to this and none come to mind right now.
As has been said - if you leave the bolt out of the rifle - be very careful where you store it - and don't try to hide it, or it will be gone forever.
 
Most of my bolts are #### on close, so just store them with the bolt open.

Like magazines I keep one in the gun. As I don't want to get to the range and forget.
 
powdergun said:
If the bolt is removed and stored separately or left open is there more/less tension on the spring.

What is the best way or does it matter ?
Click to expand...

The spring is under tension regardless, there's just slightly more tension when the bolt is closed and cocked. It's not enough of a difference to worry about.

I find my rifles fit into the safe better with the bolts open. I won't separate them from the rifles, because, like many others on here, I've seen too many guns for sale with the bolts missing.
 
powdergun said:
I was wondering as storage space is limited and taking the bolt out gives more room.
Click to expand...

I did some trading with a guy on here a while back who had a storage problem ... so he stored all his bolts in locked ammo cans. Well, those ammo cans got stolen, but the rifles remained.... if I remember about 30 guns or so.

Well, besides the aggravation of having 30 useless milsurps - insurance wouldn't pay!

so - I am with everyone else, keep them in the guns.
 
Dry fire it and don’t stress out about it, unless it’s an older rimfire then use a drywall plug or leave it cocked. Springs wear out from repeated use not being stored while compressed.
 
M1-Garand said:
I store my bolt action rifles in the safe with the bolts removed, that way they can be closer together without doing damage.

Than I fabricated a rack inside the safe door to hang the bolts, marking beside the bolt which rifle its from.

Only problem is of course not to forget to put the bolt back in when heading for the range.
Click to expand...

OR''''' If you have several rifles which are the same, putting the proper bolt into the rifle it came from.
 
Butcherbill said:
Dry fire it and don’t stress out about it, unless it’s an older rimfire then use a drywall plug or leave it cocked. Springs wear out from repeated use not being stored while compressed.
Click to expand...

Dry fire???? That may be OK for modern bolts but with older bolts not so much.

The heat treatment on some firing pins wasn't the best and it wasn't uncommon for the tip of the firing pin to separate when dry-fired.

I have repaired dozens of firing pins missing their tips from the practice of "dry firing"

There are at least a dozen No1, No4, 98, firing pins in a drawer that need new tips.

You can get away with it until you can't.

It usually happens when you least need it to happen or least expect it.

It happens often enough that it's not a good habit to get into.
 
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