Shotgun Firing Pin

racin · February 28, 2010, 12:56 PM

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

hogdogs · February 28, 2010, 01:00 PM

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

BigJimP · February 28, 2010, 02:33 PM

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 ...

bswiv · February 28, 2010, 02:36 PM

"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.........

10-96 · February 28, 2010, 03:12 PM

Yup- snap caps.

Yessir, I do believe that's the way to go.

oneounceload · February 28, 2010, 04:57 PM

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

Scattergun Bob · February 28, 2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

We know that dry firing doesn't bother the gun

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

nutty ned · February 28, 2010, 08:28 PM

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.

Scattergun Bob · March 1, 2010, 02:17 AM

[QUOTE][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

govmule84 · March 1, 2010, 07:16 PM

...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.

xm21 · March 2, 2010, 02:36 AM

GMule,because you need to have the hammer back to re-install the trigger group.

February 28, 2010, 12:56 PM	#1
racin Member Join Date: October 2, 2007 Posts: 46	Shotgun Firing Pin 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

February 28, 2010, 03:12 PM	#5
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Yup- snap caps. Yessir, I do believe that's the way to go. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

March 1, 2010, 02:17 AM	#9
Scattergun Bob Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: Nine Mile Falls, Washington Posts: 1,186	nutty ned [QUOTE][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 __________________ First, with the most, WINS! Regards, Scattergun Bob

March 1, 2010, 07:16 PM	#10
govmule84 Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Location: Up on a hill Posts: 398	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.

February 28, 2010, 01:00 PM	#2
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	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

February 28, 2010, 02:33 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	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 ...

February 28, 2010, 02:36 PM	#4
bswiv Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: NE FL....... Posts: 1,081	"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.........

February 28, 2010, 04:57 PM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	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

February 28, 2010, 08:28 PM	#8
nutty ned Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 765	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.

March 2, 2010, 02:36 AM	#11
xm21 Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2008 Posts: 177	GMule,because you need to have the hammer back to re-install the trigger group.