Should I store my semi-auto rifles with the bolt open or closed? and why? (they're an yugo sks and old .22)

Answer 1

In a semi-auto gun, I would store it bolt closed. Less tension on the spring(s) and less possiblity of foreign objects, dust, debris, and fingers entering the chamber or barrel.

Suppose something fell in the chamber, and you didn't know, then the object lodged in the barrel while you were moving or handling the weapon, then you took it out to shoot it, you now have an obstructed barrel, and a useless rifle and possibly injury or death when you pull the trigger.

I have several semi-auto pistol and after cleaning and a function check, they are locked in hard cases, with a padlock (not some cheesey cable lock) with the slides foward (closed) hammer down, (or striker released in non-hammer models), the safeties in either "Off" or their neutral positions.

While I was in the Marines, every weapon was inspected, then stored in the armory with the actions closed, from pistols to machine guns. Whenever they were removed from their locked racks and issued, the armorer did a chamber check before handing the weapon to the recipient, and vice versa upon returning the weapon to the armory.

Weapons were NEVER stored or carried with an open chamber, anywhere. this included the big open bolt machine guns.

You decide which would better from here. The biggest "gun club" in the USA should know a thing or two about storing weapons.

If you do use a cable lock (which wouldn't hurt if you are that concerned about saftey), just install the lock and let the bolt ride foward to rest on the cable.

Answer 2

bolt action rifles will usually outshoot semi-autos for accuracy purposes. A quality .22 bolt gun with a good bore should be able to shoot 50 rounds into a 1 inch circle at 50 yards (the shooter may have to practice a bit) Just about all major makers produce a bolt action .22 that can do this kind of work...If you spend the money for a Kimber or Ruger 77/22 I'd expect nothing less... I shoot a standard tapered barrel 77/22 with a Simmons 4 power scope... and it will place 50 rounds into a quarter sized hole at 50 yards.. shooting prone... and can nearly do the same at 100 if the wind is calm...out of the box with no trigger work... If marksmanship is your goal stick with a bolt rifle... folks shoot semi-autos to fast for the most part and can pick up some bad habits.. working with a slower bolt action lets you reflect on whats working and what you did wrong from shot to shot.

Answer 3

Never store a Semi-Auto firearm open. For the same reason, never keep a magazine loaded for periods of time without releasing the spring. Springs have memory and will lose their spring if they remain compacted. Your semi-auto has a spring that returns the slide once the shell is ejected. If you store it for a long period of time open this spring will lose its strength and start to fail. This will cause countless jambs in your firearm.

If your worried about safety, unload your firearm before you store it like most do.

Good Luck & Happy Shooting !!

Answer 4

It really doesnt matter. When I have just cleaned my rifles and oiled them up to put away, I always close the bolt. Not that it matters, but to me it looks better and I feel that after they are oiled down and the bolt is closed, it "holds" the oil in their better. Im sure its doesnt matter either way though.

Answer 5

Open, for visual safety. Having it open will not harm your springs, heard reports on shotgunworld of a guy who left his shotgun open for fifteen years and decided to take it to the range without a hitch. I like my shotgun to be left open and I do so for days, weeks etc. The springs will be fine. I think you should leave them open for safety reasons and knowing a round is not chambered by you or anyone else. Should be the habbit when firing at the range, once you are done shooting the bolt should be opened. Plus my shotgun keeps the bolt open for just that purpose when the chamber is empty.

Answer 6

Closed it wont let dust into the action. But with it open you can cable lock it for saftey. I would go closed for dust.

Answer 7

Bolt closed, hammer down (on an empty chamber of course!).

Answer 8

if you're very safety conscious then you should store it with the bolt open and a lock through the action and out where the clip goes. if there is no risk of anyone getting into them(children) then bolt closed or open just without the clip. but there really is no difference in performance just how you are most comfortable with them.

Answer 9

bolt open and a gun lock in there. unless you have a trigger lock then that works too. but preformance wise, it dosent make much of a difference.

you just might have to replace a spring if it is left open for too long

Answer 10

CLOSED= Common sense.....