striker fired weapon question

[Terminator03]

I was hoping that those of you with a lot of experience with striker fired handguns can answer this. I have a Ruger SR9C, and carry with 1 in the chamber, as well as leaving it in this condition by my bedside in case the need should arise. Anyhow, this got me thinking that being kept locked and loaded all the time basically, can't be good long term for the springs. Is this something I should be concerned about? I haven't really had any time to go to the range lately, so it hasn't been fired, just stays locked and loaded as I mentioned.

 

[Mr Weebles]

Springs wear out when they are stretched and compressed over and over, not when they are kept in either state over a period of time.

 

[wheelgun]

I don't know the details of the SR9, but if it's like Glocks the firing spring is only partially compressed. Pulling the trigger compresses it fully. And anyway, like Mr. Weebles said, keeping the springs compressed doesn't hurt.

.

 

[atmay]

its cycles, not compression, that kills springs. keep it loaded with no worries.

 

[Jose]

Springs wear out when they are stretched and compressed over and over, not when they are kept in either state over a period of time.

[/thread]

 

[M1911]

You are worrying about nothing.

 

[Bill Nance]

As long as you have a snap cap in the chamber it's all good

 

[Terminator03]

Thanks, you guys have made me feel a lot better about it. I was thinking that maybe I should unchamber the round whenever it wasn't being carried, but then what good would that do me, if I needed it at night to help me get to my bigger and better guns?

 

[Terminator03]

As long as you have a snap cap in the chamber it's all good

Come on Bill, you know that you have to have the first 2 be snap caps, so that if the BG gets the gun, he can't use it on you!

 

[TBalls]

I don't know the details of the SR9, but if it's like Glocks the firing spring is only partially compressed. Pulling the trigger compresses it fully.

Yes, the SR9c functions the same way.

 

[Keystone]

Springs wear out when they are stretched and compressed over and over, not when they are kept in either state over a period of time.

This.

Physics, for the win!

 

[Jose]

I was thinking that maybe I should unchamber the round whenever it wasn't being carried

Every time you manipulate ammo into or out of a firearm you are increasing your chances of having an ND.

Just leave it alone and unload it if there is a good reason for it.

 

[M1911]

I was thinking that maybe I should unchamber the round whenever it wasn't being carried

Why?

All that would is to cause extra wear and tear on that round, possibly increasing setback of the bullet, increasing chamber pressure. There is also, as Jose mentioned, the added risk of an ND -- you would be decreasing safety, not increasing it.

 

[FSTC]

How about this: Shoot it often to "exercise" the spring.

 

[Archilochus]

Interesting spring reading...
http://www.rockfordspring.com/relaxationofsprings.asp