[Scare_Rab]

I have a Remington 870.


I'm wondering what "state_of_readiness" do people leave their shotguns, generally?

With a shell in the chamber and more in the magazine? & safety on (does having the spring permanaently compressed damage it long-term?)

& if so...

At home, fearing grievous harm---pick weopon up...push safety off * acquire target * ; fire. (no need to rack the slide?)

Or...

With NO SHELL in the chamber rather ...shells in the magazine? [safety on ]

then : at home, fearing grievous harm---pick weopon up, rack the slide...push safety off * acquire target * fire.

I've noticed though that... before the action will rack
Either, ---the gun needs to be dry fired

or the slide needs to be 'started_a_touch' by pressing the release button near the trigger....

How do other people leave their home defense shotguns?

 

[robocop10mm]

Both require fine and complex motor skills that will be absent when the Adrenaline is coursing through the veins. The best way (IMHO) is to keep the pump gun "cruiser ready". Empty chamber, hammer down, full mag tube. With gun clear (empty), pull the trigger. Hold the forend forward (action completely closed, locked) and load the mag tube. When you need to use the gun simply rack the action. DO NOT USE THE SAFETY.
We have shotguns that sit in racks with fully loaded mag tubes for many years and they do not seem to have any issues with mag springs failing.

 

[Jables]

Depends, when I lived out in the country I always had a loaded 12 guage or 410 behind the door heading out into the backyard. It was mostly for coons and opossums. The reality of this is, I live in town and have guns all over the house unloaded and I don't worry about intruders, I could hold my own if one did break in but I'm not worried about it. If I lived somewhere I had to worry about intruders, I would move. I know I'm a good shot and I know I wouldn't think twice, but I really don't want to find out. When we move back into the country I will keep a load gun for varmints and nothing more.

 

[mpoirier22114]

what robocop said

 

[glockfire]

Full tube, empy but cocked chamber.

 

[dragunovsks]

I also keep mine with cleared chamber, loaded mag tube. I told the wife if she ever needed it to slide forward the pump, point at punk, and squeeze trigger. Baby Go Boom!!

 

[DuckA]

One in the chamber, more in the mag, with the safety on.

 

[janikphoto]

I have a remington 1100 tac-II with the mag loaded. I hope I will have time to pull the charging handle and start pulling the trigger if I ever need to.

 

[shnorse]

so keeping the magazine full will not dammage the spring?

i know in riffle mags they say not to keep them loaded due to the spring..

 

[gregs887]

Full mag, empty chamber, safety off, within reach of my bed.

 

[SGT-MILLER]

When I did own a shotgun, I liked to keep the mag tube loaded up, empty chamber, safety off, slide forward. All I had to do was rack it and fire. Now that I have kids, I will change that once I get around to purchasing a new shotgun.

 

[nastymofo]

I have a mossberg 500 persuader pistol grip forearm n rear. I leave it chambered n fully loaded alternating buck, slug ect. safety on n right next to my bed. not a smart move invadeing my space. /--==- :::::

 

[tedebear]

why do you want a shoot that don't make a load boom

if was going to have a shoot gun to protict me i don't care how load it is if i have to shoot it

 

[MichaelG]

I keep 2, both fully loaded, safety off.
First is behind the front door, who knows when you'll be sitting outside and get attacked, eh? ;p
The second is in my room, hanging on the wall(bad spot if it falls) fully loaded with safety on.

 

[CCW357]

870 Remington fully koaded,.....safety on.

 

[Defender]

I agree with robocop10mm. "Cruiser ready" is the way to go.

If you're concerned that a full magazine tube will eventually wear out your mag spring, load the tube one shell short of full capacity.

 

[Defender]

I keep 2, both fully loaded, safety off.
First is behind the front door, who knows when you'll be sitting outside and get attacked, eh? The second is in my room, hanging on the wall(bad spot if it falls) fully loaded with safety on.

What if home invaders bust down your front door in the middle of the night, while you're in your bedroom sleeping? The shotgun behind the door won't do you any good when the invaders have it.

Some home invasions occur in broad daylight. If invaders bust in your front door while you're somewhere else in the house, they'll have your shotgun to use against you.

 

[FALPhil]

so keeping the magazine full will not dammage the spring?

i know in riffle mags they say not to keep them loaded due to the spring..

If I could list all the "information" in the gun rags that is erroneous, the owner of this board would have to pay extra fees for the disk space it would take up.

The answer to your question is yes and no. If your gun came with cheap springs made is some third world sewer hole with inferior materials, keeping a magazine loaded all the time may cause the spring to take a "set" and you will see reduced performance and functionality - in about 5-10 years.

However, most firearms made to military specifications, and most reputable firearms manufacturers do not use the cheapest springs they can find, and in fact use quality springs which will outlast you and your children without any reduced performance and functionality. If you have any doubts about springs any any of your guns, spend a couple of bucks to replace them quality springs and don't lose any sleep at night. Wolff is a good supplier that most gun people use.

 

[supergus]

I keep my Mossberg 500 Tactical next to my bed, full tube, one in an open chamber. All I have to do is pick it up by the fore end and the round automatically chambers. First three are #4 buckshot and the last two are K.O. slugs. It help not having kids. I'm pretty sure my dogs aren't gonna start playing with it

 

[MichaelG]

What if home invaders bust down your front door in the middle of the night, while you're in your bedroom sleeping? The shotgun behind the door won't do you any good when the invaders have it.

Some home invasions occur in broad daylight. If invaders bust in your front door while you're somewhere else in the house, they'll have your shotgun to use against you.

That is assuming they find the gun, the door opens all the way against the wall. If they were to kick the door open, it would hit the wall and they wouldn't notice the gun there.
Plus the shotgun isn't the only weapon in the house, the only rooms without a gun is the guest room and the restrooms.