Striker fired guns

[Grendel Guy]

I've been wondering if there's a need for pulling the trigger after done shooting with striker fired guns. I do so for 1911s and other steel guns so that they aren't having the hammer spring compressed for long periods of time. I guess I could get snap caps or pick up a fired empty and chamber it. But is it necessary?

[aca72]

But is it necessary?

No.

[MajorSideburns]

Is it necessary? No, and with striker fired handguns the spring is not even compressed fully when "cocked" as the trigger pull is what finishes cocking the firing mechanism. Unless you cycle the gun millions of times you will probably never need to replace it anyway. If you are ever concerned about the reliability and want to do preemptive maintenance after few hundred thousand rounds a new spring is a very cheap part.

[walmart_ar15]

Is it necessary? No, and with striker fired handguns the spring is not even compressed fully when "cocked" as the trigger pull is what finishes cocking the firing mechanism. Unless you cycle the gun millions of times you will probably never need to replace it anyway. If you are ever concerned about the reliability and want to do preemptive maintenance after few hundred thousand rounds a new spring is a very cheap part.

Depending on the gun. Glock yes, other maybe not.

[Grendel Guy]

Well, it is for my 30s, but might as well get some snap caps while I'm at.

[acaligunner]

No, no and No.

[TheFlashG]

Not necessary, but after I'm finished shooting, I keep the muzzle pointed downrange and do that 'final dry fire' before the quick wipe down and putting it back in the case.
Just my 'process', but again it's not necessary...

[Big Chudungus]

Springs are OK being compressed for long time periods. Its the cycles, not the compression, that causes them to weaken. Thats why it SHOULD be OK to leave mags fully loaded for long time as long as they don't get dirt or corrosion, and why you don't need to put a car "up on blocks" to store to save springs.

[saudadeii]

Necessary? No. I do anyway. Mostly out of "force of habit". I always point downrange and pull the trigger on my hammer fired guns after clearing them before I put them back in their rugs. I don't treat my strikers any differently. I do the same with my long guns.

[Grendel Guy]

So I'm thinking that the consensus (mostly) is that while not necessary, do it out of habit/peace of mind.

[SigSauerP226]

I always “decock” my guns when I’m done with them, which aside from my OG P series SIGs would mean pointing it safely and pulling the trigger. Idk if it’s good or even matters, but on my 1911 I’ll lower the hammer with my thumb instead of letting it drop.

[Thrashard340]

Your striker fired gun is not a cheap toy that breaks after a few uses. You would be amazed at how much abuse your modern firearm can take. Now that being said, from a habitual standpoint, I do tend to decock all of my firearms before storage.

[Grendel Guy]

^^^^Same here, old habits are hard to break.