Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: ShootingABN! on July 15, 2018, 02:14:10 PM

Title: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: ShootingABN! on July 15, 2018, 02:14:10 PM
So do you use a snap cap? Those little shell like things that go inside the chamber and you pull the trigger to release the firing pin?

Has anyone ever had a firing pin spring go bad? I'm just wondering.

Oh and I miss spring turkey hunting really bad.


Please share your thoughts on the subject and or your experance.
Thanks and have a blessed day.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Greg Massey on July 15, 2018, 02:21:07 PM
Never have really worried about it myself ... i'm not saying it's a bad idea.... I've just never had a problem...
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: outdoors on July 15, 2018, 02:32:38 PM
Iv thought about it  , every now and then through the years
Just never worried about it
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: ShootingABN! on July 15, 2018, 02:47:59 PM
Thanks for the replies. Knock on wood. I haven't had a spring fail yet. Oldest shotgun I have is 92 I think?

I would like to know if anyone has had a spring fail. 
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Turkeytider on July 15, 2018, 04:01:07 PM
Use them routinely and have for a number of years. Never had a firing pin failure. Coincidence or related? Don`t know and I`m not sure how you could determine that.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: NCL on July 15, 2018, 04:14:09 PM
I had snap caps in my competitive shotguns but then they were shot thousands of rounds per year. With that said even though those gun were shot extensively  there was never a spring failure.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Sir-diealot on July 15, 2018, 04:24:51 PM
I use them in two of my guns and will use them in all as soon as I can get more of them.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: greencop01 on July 15, 2018, 07:21:13 PM
I'm 65, been hunting 50yrs, never had problem w/ firing pins in my guns. Never used snap caps and I also never abused my guns, just shot them a lot and never had a problem with firing pins. I keep my guns clean and in a gun locker. Never had a mechanical failure. Owned Mossburgs and my favorite shotguns have been Remington 870's, 1100's and 1187's.
Title: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Dr Juice on July 15, 2018, 07:23:02 PM
I spoke to a gunsmith about this and according to him it is not an issue with modern day shotguns. Where it is a problem is the older side by sides and over unders that used leaf springs in the mechanisms. Just my two cents
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Mtd69 on July 16, 2018, 08:48:43 AM
I have never used anything and have never had a pin or spring fail I have guns I have used for over 40 years
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: 1iagobblergetter on July 16, 2018, 09:37:57 AM
I've never heard had any issues and I have quite a few guns. The only thing I've ever heard with firing pins is don't dry fire a gun.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: daddyduke on July 16, 2018, 10:06:06 AM
Never used them and no problems so far.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Marc on July 16, 2018, 11:55:55 AM
I have had both the pins and the springs go bad... 

Guns hardly used and in storage for a long time for the springs...  High use (clay target) guns I have had the pins go bad.

Most of my hunting guns, I can release the firing pin spring with the bolt half engaged and pull the trigger.  This releases the spring without firing the gun (obviously the gun is still empty when I do this).

All of my other guns have some sort of "snap caps."  I lubricate the snap caps before storing, and do NOT use empty casings with plastic hulls...  I have used empty paper casings (oiled) as snap caps though.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Greg Massey on July 16, 2018, 02:04:14 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on July 15, 2018, 04:24:51 PM
I use them in two of my guns and will use them in all as soon as I can get more of them.
Why do you feel you need to use these in your guns ?
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Sir-diealot on July 16, 2018, 03:29:49 PM
Quote from: Greg Massey on July 16, 2018, 02:04:14 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on July 15, 2018, 04:24:51 PM
I use them in two of my guns and will use them in all as soon as I can get more of them.
Why do you feel you need to use these in your guns ?
Just to relieve the built up tension in the spring. Nothing is good to be under load for long periods of time. JMO
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: ShootingABN! on July 16, 2018, 04:50:51 PM
Thanks everyone for taking time to share your opinion. I appreciate it.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Greg Massey on July 16, 2018, 06:28:21 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on July 16, 2018, 03:29:49 PM
Quote from: Greg Massey on July 16, 2018, 02:04:14 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on July 15, 2018, 04:24:51 PM
I use them in two of my guns and will use them in all as soon as I can get more of them.
Why do you feel you need to use these in your guns ?
Just to relieve the built up tension in the spring. Nothing is good to be under load for long periods of time. JMO
All i can say in my 40 plus years of owning firearms, I've never seen the need for snap caps ... i always check my guns before season starts for any game i'm pursuing .... just my opinion...
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Spitten and drummen on July 16, 2018, 06:54:33 PM
I have a safe full of guns , a couple thats over 60 years old. Never used anything on any of them. Never had a issue from storing them.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: TRG3 on July 17, 2018, 03:38:59 PM
While it may make no difference, I feel better if the firing pin spring is stored in a relaxed position. To do this, I lightly cover the outside of a fired shotgun shell of the same gauge as the shotgun with RIG, place it in the chamber, take the safety off, and pull the trigger. I lightly wipe the exterior metal down with gun oil or RIG before putting it away for a few months.
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: 1iagobblergetter on July 17, 2018, 04:28:48 PM
Whatever gives you piece of mind do it. I think for what the failure percentage probably only is ill stick with what ive been doing which is nothing for around the last 40yrs...
Title: Re: Shotgun storage and firing pin questions.....
Post by: Greg Massey on July 17, 2018, 08:19:21 PM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on July 17, 2018, 04:28:48 PM
Whatever gives you piece of mind do it. I think for what the failure percentage probably only is ill stick with what ive been doing which is nothing for around the last 40yrs...
x2