Percussion storage question?

[Ketchakah]

Railshot,
Got one just like it.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I like to have my muzzle lower than the butt plate when I put them on the rack...by just a tiny bit. Picked up that habit from my first flinter which was patent breech, and it didn't like the rust preventative over time, creeping down the barrel to the breech.

LD

 

[azmntman]

BTW Railshot, I really really like your wall decor, the knife etc, the BAG IS AWESOME

Be that a horn stickin out on the left?

 

[Juice Jaws]

The last oily patch that I run down the bore I fold up in a square, place it between the nipple and hammer and lower the hammer down to rest on it. Never a problem in 35 years plus.

I do the same thing and just about as long also.

 

[Billnpatti]

I hope I am in the correct place to ask this question.....
How does everyone suggest storing their percussion rifles?

Hammer down, 1/2 cock, full cock?

The reason I am asking, is my uncle, that has my original CVA mountain rifle from 1978 that I built, has had it on his wall since 2003 at 1/2 cock while displaying it.

My first build, and I am still proud of it!

View attachment 1085

I will be buying it back from him "eventually", but want to know if I should be prepared for anything once I do.

Weak springs etc....

Also, I have 3 new builds, and want to store them appropriately with what works best.

Thanks in advance,
railshot

I store all of my percussion guns with the hammer down. It relieves the mainspring. Some of the older springs would "take a set" if left in a compressed position. When you get your rifle back, if the hammer doesn't fire the cap reliably, the mainspring may have taken a set and will need to be replaced. If that is the case, just contact either CVA, Track of The Wolf or Dixie Gun Works for a replacement.

 

[RedFeather]

Springs can "take a set" if left compressed for a long time. I'm not sure how much your uncle's gun has but it may be minor. I leave the hammer down on all my guns rested on a lightly oiled (or preservative of your choice) patch or, better yet, one of those cone-shaped faucet washers. The washer protects the nipple and you can dry fire a bit to check your lock, too.

 

[artmechanic]

I hope I am in the correct place to ask this question.....
How does everyone suggest storing their percussion rifles?

Hammer down, 1/2 cock, full cock?

The reason I am asking, is my uncle, that has my original CVA mountain rifle from 1978 that I built, has had it on his wall since 2003 at 1/2 cock while displaying it.

My first build, and I am still proud of it!

View attachment 1085

I will be buying it back from him "eventually", but want to know if I should be prepared for anything once I do.

Weak springs etc....

Also, I have 3 new builds, and want to store them appropriately with what works best.

Thanks in advance,
railshot

Even when only stored for a little while I always place a folded bit of patch material between the hammer and nipple of my muzzleloaders. That way there's no tension on the spring and no chance of galvanic (bimetallic) corrosion between the two dissimilar metals being in contact.

 

[Cowboy]

After my cleaning routine which BC Barricade is applied in the bore lastly, I store the muzzleloader barrel down for a couple of days to let any accumulation left in the breech to drain and dry.

Then store away muzzleloader’s barrel up in safe’s. Hammer resting on nipple.

That’s my routine and have never had a problem my friend.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Pete44ru]

How does everyone suggest storing their percussion rifles?

Hammer down, 1/2 cock, full cock?

I've always stored my caplocks hammer down on a piece of leather to protect/seal the nipple & a cork in the muzzle after cleaning/lubing the bore.

 

[Denny B]

I have always just left my cap lock with hammer down and the gun placed in a gun cabinet with my other guns never worried about plugging the bore. None of my other guns ever had a bore problem nor did my cap lock.

 

[Ketchakah]

I have one Caplock. Treat it same as my Flints. Hammer down. No block. Cleaned and greased with a very loose wad of tow in the very end of muzzle. Mainly to keep out dust, but i do not know if this is really necessary, just been what i do.

 

[OLD CROW]

As per spring loosing its ''spring''. back in the day, over 55 years ago....in deer camp,. like most Canadian kids,i was toting a sporsterized LEE ENFIELD #4. EACH morning,i'd load the clip with 8-9 rounds....back at the ''shack'' at noon ,i'd unload the clip and reload it for the afternoon hunt...a friend of GRANDAD asked WHY I did that??? I replied,don't want to ''wear the spring out''. he looked at me the way wise seniors do to NOT so wise kids and said,SON, That rifle has spent years on the battlefield,loaded up and is ONLY unloaded when shot !!!!! just remove the clip and leave the G**D**N rounds in it until you put down your deer or the season is over.....I never did follow that advise lol