Many multi-shot PCPs must be cocked before a magazine can be inserted. This gets the pellet probe and indexing mechanism out of the way so they won’t foul the mag.
Once shooting’s come to an end, the rifle must be cocked again to remove the magazine. If the intention is to refill the mag and carry on shooting, all you need to do is load up and crack on, but if you’re finished for the day, you’ll have to restore the rifle to an uncocked state. Rimfire and centrefire rifles can be safely decocked by holding the bolt open, squeezing the trigger and gently guiding the bolt closed.
Wrong! Dry- firing can result in the firing pin becoming deformed over time from the peening effect of steel on steel
This is especially necessary for a rimfire, because dry-firing can result in the firing pin becoming deformed over time from the peening effect of steel on steel. Some PCPs can be decocked in just the same way. This saves the air that would be wasted by dry-firing to clear the action.
However, while this system works, there is one important drawback: safety. Pellets, especially smaller ones like .177 and .20, can be very hard to see if they’ve been seated in the breech. So the only truly safe and reliable way to check your rifle is clear is to dry-fire it towards a safe target and backstop.
Correct! Decock ‘n’ load!
This article originally appeared in the issue 104 of Airgun Shooter magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe today at our secure online store: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
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