Decocking and storing with a snapcap?

[bobaboom]

I decock by squeezing the trigger while slowly closing the bolt.

Is it a good practice to decock my rifle using a snapcap before storage?

Will the firing pin get damaged if I decock without a snapcap?

I'm wondering if I need a snapcap because putting something in the chamber seems like it could potentially lead to a negligent discharge. Obviously a snapcap is safe but potentially a bullet could be put in by accident.

Thanks!

[chomorro]

Just use a yellow wall anker for screws. I use those for snap caps.

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[SkyHawk]

I would not bother with snap caps in a bolt action if my goal was just to store the gun. Closing the bolt slowly with the trigger held should not cause any damage. I do that too.

As for snap caps, a lot of people mistake 22LR proving rounds for snap caps. Don't make that mistake. Aluminum rimfire proving rounds are not snap caps.

If you are really using snap caps (or wall anchors) - it is pretty hard to get those confused for a live round.

[bobaboom]

Thanks but I already have snapcaps. My questions were more about their necessity.

[bobaboom]

Hi Skyhawk, yes, I have Tipton red plastic ones from Amazon.

I didn't say it would be easy to confuse but the process introduces an extra opportunity for error.

Any thoughts on firing pin damage when decocking without a snapcap?

[bobaboom]

Oops, Skyhawk, I missed your first paragraph. Thanks!

[SkyHawk]

Snap caps are good for dry fire of course, but they are also for storing when you have no other safe way to relieve the mainspring tension.

PS - welcome to Calguns!

[bobaboom]

Thanks!!! My other storage and transportation strategy is mag out, bolt closed with empty chamber. I read some police will frown upon a snapcap in the chamber if they pull you over.

[bobaboom]

Can a bolt action still fire when decocked? Could a bump drive the firing pin forward?

[RTE]

Thanks but I already have snapcaps. My questions were more about their necessity.

You've got them, use them.
I store with tipton snap caps, they are made well and are RED in color.

[bobaboom]

RTE, yeah, pretty hard to make a mistake. I guess for a gun accident to happen the fundamentals have to be ignored.

[bergmen]

Most (if not all) modern .22 firearms have firing pin travel stops that prevent damage to the firing pin and/or chamber if dry fired or sofly decocked.

If you want to try having a snap cap in place, try this and check back in a week or so to see if the snap cap can easily be extracted. Sometimes they will stick over time and you may have to use a cleaning rod to knock it loose.

I had this problem with my old Winchester model 88 lever action (.308). It wasn't possible to do a soft decock, it had to be dry fired. So, with a snap cap in place, it would jam in the chamber and could not be extracted when opening the bolt after some storage time (tough on the extractor also).

Dan

[bergmen]

Can a bolt action still fire when decocked? Could a bump drive the firing pin forward?

I would strongly recommend not decocking with a live round in the chamber for the very reason that an impact may discharge. It would take a pretty hard impact but no need to tempt fate. Soft decock with an empty chamber only.

Dan

[Mayor McRifle]

I read some police will frown upon a snapcap in the chamber if they pull you over.

[bobaboom]

Mayor, on some website. No need to tempt the police. I've seen some snapcaps that look like bullets so those may confuse police.