Bolts in or out for storage?

[Yoder]

For those of you with bolt action rifles, do you store them with the bolts installed or not?

I just got a cheap gun locker (used homak) and the bolt handles sticking out make things kind of tight getting guns in and out. Was thinking of leaving them out but didn't know if anyone makes a way to store them other than in a pile.

 

[inFALable]

If you just leave the bolt open it wont protrude and your rifles will still be ready to go.

 

[PaPa 260]

I always store mine bolt in. I wouldn't just throw them in a pile. If you decide to go the bolt out route. I would make sure I had each bolt in something that had the serial number of the rifle it went to on it.

PaPa 260

 

[sshelton]

When I had my mosin 91/30 I had to store it with bolt out because I couldn't close the hard case with the bolt closed and I didn't like the downward force of leaving the bolt open just hanging there

 

[Yeah]

1. Get a length of 4x4, I like walnut.
2. Bore a bunch of 3/4" holes in it.
3. Finish with your preference of finish.

I generally store mine in, but sometimes they need to come out.

 

[trigger643]

Depends. Usually bolt in, but when there are space constraints I'll remove them as need be.

 

[gunman41mag]

BOLT should be in the rifle, & you should pulled the trigger to make sure the rifle isn't cocked, so the spring doesn't have any tension. I learned the hard way, had to buy a spring for my bolt.

 

[Hondo]

I keep the bolts out of a lot of mine just becasue they fit in the safe better without the bolt in the way...I have made a few handling dings trying to fit the rifles too close together with the bolts protruding....


As a side note...I don't mind having them out in the event they are ever stolen...a boltless gun is pretty safe...

 

[kludge]

I keep the bolts in the gun.

You don't know how many times I've heard gunsmiths say that so and so came and asked about getting a new bolt for such and such rifle.