How do you store your 1911's in the safe?

[NeoGeo630]

In my safe, I use a horizontal pistol rack. The pistols sit upside down with barrel end angled upward, support is on the top of the side and the back spine of the grip. In the case of 1911's, this position will keep the grip safety depressed as it sits.

I'm worried over time this will cause the tension in the mainspring to lessen, just like the recoil spring will lose tension over time if the slide is kept locked back.

Am I right to worry? Should I be looking for another type of rack for my 1911's? Maybe the type which holds by a coated rod through the barrel?

[Live2Ride]

I have space to hang guns on the door of my safe. For the handguns that I've run out of room for, I use these http://www.storemoreguns.com/4pack-handgun-hangers.html .

I don't think you're really wearing out anything quicker. Springs are weakened by use, not by staying in the same position. A recoil spring is compressed and relaxed over and over. Same with magazines. Just having the gun sit with the grip safety depressed isn't going to weaken it more.

[TRSOtto]

Originally Posted by NeoGeo630

In my safe, I use a horizontal pistol rack. The pistols sit upside down with barrel end angled upward, support is on the top of the side and the back spine of the grip. In the case of 1911's, this position will keep the grip safety depressed as it sits.

I'm worried over time this will cause the tension in the mainspring to lessen, just like the recoil spring will lose tension over time if the slide is kept locked back.

Am I right to worry? Should I be looking for another type of rack for my 1911's? Maybe the type which holds by a coated rod through the barrel?

I use the same racks and position my guns the same way. Just as Live2Ride stated....springs don't lose strength from sitting compressed over time. They lose it from repeated cycling. I wouldn't sweat it.

[FLSlim]

This is much more than I want to worry about! But FWIW, I keep mine in a gun sock laying flat.

[Rastoff]

I have this on my safe door:

It's not the best, but it does work nicely.

Springs will compress over time if left in a compressed state. The effect is measurable. However, springs in a gun will not compress enough to make a significant difference. The springs will lose more through cycling.

The thing to take away here is, don't worry about your storage method. It won't significantly affect your springs. Besides, a new sear spring costs about $6 so, just buy a new spring every year and you won't have to worry about it.

[69charger]

Mine just lay flat on shelf's. Right side up. In lines. Spaced 2 1/3 inch's apart. On Blue Velvet. LOL
Dave

[DevilDave1911]

grip safety depressed, has nothing to do with the mainspring. the leaf spring keeps tension on the GS. The mainspring is what provides tension to the hammer. also, springs do not get weak from being compressed. whether a slide is locked back, you keep the hammer C&L or whatever. Once a spring has its initial set, its ONLY compress and uncompress that tires it out. Indefinite compression is fine. you are worrying over nothing. you are good to go.

[GKC]

I keep mine in gun socks, laying flat on their sides. So far, none of them have complained.

[WNC-shooter]

Originally Posted by 69charger

Mine just lay flat on shelf's. Right side up. In lines. Spaced 2 1/3 inch's apart. On Blue Velvet. LOL
Dave

...soft music...

[69charger]

Originally Posted by WNC-shooter

...soft music...

Kenny G.

[1903]

Originally Posted by WNC-shooter

...soft music...

.....candle light......

[magazineman]

On felt pads in cigar boxes. In 10 years there's been no damage. I used to use zippered soft cases but I have so many damn guns (hooray!) that I need to be able to stack them in rows 10 high.

[johnfritz]

On a bunch of white hotel towels. Laying on their sides. No issues that I can determine. I turn them over occasionally, like my mattress. Spring, fall...

When I have the extra DI I'm going to buy some racks and chuck 'em in there. Simply to free up space in the safe.

[Cumminsman76]

Originally Posted by 1903

.....candle light......

...............chilled wine..........

[skosh69]

Originally Posted by WNC-shooter

...soft music...

Originally Posted by 1903

.....candle light......

.....log fire.....

[NRAJIM]

Originally Posted by WNC-shooter

...soft music...

actually I was thinking OCD

[mikeg1005]

Originally Posted by NeoGeo630

I'm worried over time this will cause the tension in the mainspring to lessen, just like the recoil spring will lose tension over time if the slide is kept locked back.

Am I right to worry? Should I be looking for another type of rack for my 1911's? Maybe the type which holds by a coated rod through the barrel?

You are wrong to worry.

Springs don't wear out from being compressed... they wear out from being cycled.

Plus... both your mainspring and you recoil spring are always under tension... even when the slide is forward/hammer is down.

Personally... I just toss mine in their soft cases and pill them in the safe.

What theory requires the grip safety to always be depressed?

Mike.

[QuePsiPhiSmkr]

its a gun......i shoot all of mine... Compressed springs ......replace them..

My guns : Serve the shooter
Protect the household and me



Serve and Protect.....i have no safe queens......

[dakota1911]

As long as mine can talk to each other they seem pretty happy. No, I am not sure what they talk about. They just giggle when I ask.

[FPNunes]

Originally Posted by dakota1911

No, I am not sure what they talk about. They just giggle when I ask.

That is great!

Mine lay flat but complain about the overcrowded conditions and being fed the same thing over and over...

[Rick McC.]

I have several in a rack like yours; and several more in a "carousel" type rack that holds them muzzle up.

They all seem fine; and I agree with all the comments about springs being worn from cycling, not sitting, either compressed or relaxed.

Rick

[GT40DOC]

I use wood racks covered with a felt-like cloth where the gun touches. They store them vertically with the grip to the front of the safe. They seem to work well.

[NeoGeo630]

Thanks for the reply guys. Looks like I have nothing to worry about. I wish I had more room for a bigger safe but I do with what I have. I would love to have one of those on the door systems or just a shelf to lay my pistols flat on.

[johnfritz]

Originally Posted by NeoGeo630

Thanks for the reply guys. Looks like I have nothing to worry about. I wish I had more room for a bigger safe but I do with what I have. I would love to have one of those on the door systems or just a shelf to lay my pistols flat on.

Here you go. No excuse now.

[NeoGeo630]

Originally Posted by johnfritz

Here you go. No excuse now.

Actually, still an excuse. That there link says no shipping to CA.