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firemandivi · Member

I've looked all over the net and still can't find an exact answer. How long can a springer stay cocked without doing damage to the gun/spring? I'm looking for an answer in minutes, I've seen the typical not long or for only a short period. The manual that game with my airgun is seriously lacking, a one page letter is just about worthless and tells me nothing specific about my airgun. Any help would be appreciated.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

As far as I know, the more often and longer you leave it cocked then it weakens the spring and reduces power to your rifle. You can probably leave it cocked for a few hours and be okay. But I wouldn't do it for a few hours every day. Also, if you leave it cocked for days or weeks on end, then you could really do damage to the spring and see some noticeable power loss.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Tests on quality springers (with tunekits) have proven that you won't loose much power if you leave it cocked for over a week. It's not desirable though. Neutral

fritz · Silver Status Member

I try not to keep my guns cocked for more than an hour. Ideally you aren't supposed to leave it cocked for more than 5 mintes, but I have read that even after weeks barely any power was lost.

Try as best you can to shoot immediately after cocking, but don't worry about it.

firemandivi · Member

I'm just trying to figure out how you hunt with a springer. If you have to wait till you get into position to take the shot and then cock the airgun you have a greater chance of your prey seeing/hearing your and running off, but if you can approach your prey with the airgun already cocked you have a much higher chance of success. If I can leave the airgun cocked for about an hour that should be enough time to get into a good position to take a shot, I hope.

fritz · Silver Status Member

You will be fine leaving it cocked for that long. As always... try to keep that time spent cocked down.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

Instead of cocking the gun and walking out in the field, walk out there first and either wait till you see some game, or wait until you have just been out there a while before cocking the gun.

I used to walk out to a squirrel hunting tree, but it was hundreds of yards away through the woods. I'd walk there without cocking the gun, knowing that I'd probably not see anything to shoot along the way. Then, when i narrow in on the hunting spot, I'd cock the gun and anticipate seeing something to shoot. Half the time it'd work out.

firemandivi · Member

My game plan is to walk through the woods/fields and once I see my prey then cock the airgun and work my way to him, unless it is quite a long distance. It sounds like the way I plan to hunt should work out, I just wasn't sure if I could leave my airgun cocked for 30-40 minutes and it sounds like that's okay as long as I only do it while hunting and not for everyday usage. Thanks

Slavia · Moderator

This was posted on another forum by Guest_RugbyPete_* on Fri Jun 15 2007, 07:43:
http://www.airgunforum.net/agf/index.php?showtopic=31581&hl=springer+decock+uncock

VO = prior to test;
V1 = gun left cocked for 1 week, 24 hrs per day (168 hrs);
V2 = gun left cocked for 2 weeks, 24 hrs/day (336 hrs);
V4 = left cocked for 4 weeks (672 hrs);
V12 = left cocked for 12 weeks (2,016 hrs) and
V24 = 24 weeks (4,032 hrs).

V0 V1 V2 V4 V12 V24 % Vel Decrease
HW30 --- 655 648 630 592 521 481 26.6
HW50 --- 705 682 678 640 565 513 27.2
HW35 --- 715 698 689 652 576 533 25.5
R1 --- 975 965 944 891 789 739 24.2
Vulcan3 --- 818 808 785 739 640 599 26.8
Webley Hawk --- 655 638 630 589 519 476 27.3
BSA Merc --- 695 679 668 630 552 511 26.5
FWB124 --- 795 774 770 728 645 596 25.0

The author suggests that you need to consider the cumulative time spent cocked. In other words, one hour left cocked over 300 outings would mean 300 hours.

Rogerflat's suggestions probably make the most sense in trying to strike a balance between spring longevity and hunting effectiveness.

sniper · Silver Status Member

slavia stole my answer..... Wink

rsterne · Moderator

So leaving a Springer cocked for a week loses about 1 to 4 percent?.... Basically, the time spent cocked while hunting will effect the velocity less than the deviation between pellets, so any velocity effect should have ZERO impact on group size / shot placement.... Rolling Eyes

In other words, the only effect MIGHT be a gradual weakening of the spring over time.... exactly the same as you would see from shooting.... Shocked

Don't leave it cocked when you store it.... otherwise I can't see a problem.... Wink

Bob

kanyon · Silver Status Member

Mine stay cocked for up to 30mins at a time.
while hunting...Max of 15 would be the norm...
I have never replaced a spring and they all still
whack hoppers out to 50m...
And if yer spring dies...yer just replace it...

Pete

firemandivi · Member

Thanks for the answers, they were very helpful.
Now for the next question:
How does heat affect the seals or any other part of a springer airgun? Is leaving a springer ar in the trunk of your car in the summer very bad, bad, okay or what.

Slavia · Moderator

firemandivi · Member

Okay, high heat is bad for an airgun, I figured as much. Thanks for confirming it though.