You will get a variety of opinions on that question; but personally as regards Smith guns, I suggest leaving the gun cocked when you break it down. With Smith guns, the fore iron cannot be reattached with the hammers in the fired position; so you must first re-cock the hammers. To do this requires manipulation of the cocking rods protruding thru the knuckle of the frame, which can be done with a cocking tool, wrench, screwdriver, etc; but why risk breaking the end off a cocking rod? Hammer springs are made and tempered to be compressed; and if they do become metal fatigued or break, any competent gunsmith can make a new spring whereas replacement cocking rods are a bit more difficult to locate and fit properly.