Is it okay to store empty shotgun cocked?

Spring failure is almost always due to cycles rather than whether they're static in a compressed or uncompressed state. It should be fine.

Just dry fire it. It won't hurt it. If you dry fire 100s of times a day it might, but once in a while is no big deal. If you're that concerned, fire it with a spent shell in the chamber.

I drop the hammer on a snap cap. Safety off. The gun HAS to be cycled to work. It is a 500 so there are five 2-3/4" rounds in the magazine which is capable of holding five 3" American-made shells so I am comfortable with this scenario despite the noise I'd have to make. Why wouldn't you be?
Al

That was a rule back in the old days before modern metallurgy. But spring steel has come so far it's not a concern anymore. I leave all my shotguns cocked and they haven't failed to fire yet.

Just curious, why do you have an issue with dropping the hammer on a snap cap and leaving it at that?

Just curious, why do you have an issue with dropping the hammer on a snap cap and leaving it at that?

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I'm not the OP, but for me it's because I always think more ammo is better than less.

So I store it with 7+1, no dry-fire (of course) and safety on, rather than 7 with a dry-fire and required pumping.

Will it ever make a difference? Not likely. With 7+1 I can decide whether I want to be heard racking the gun, whereas with just 7 and a dry-fire, I have to rack it.

If I'm 7+1, I can rack the thing any way, without firing, and still be in the same boat, just losing one unfired round. Going +1 without a dry-fire gives more options.

You can dry fire a Mossberg 500 but some guns you can't. I never like to dry fire any gun, I use a spent shell. I would NOT leave an alum snap cap in any gun for a long time, it will corrode.

I do not know if leaving a snap cap in the chamber of a 50 yaer old gun for 6 months or so is okay

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I keep some shotguns (not ones kept for defensive purposes) with snap caps in them, some for a year at a time (hunting season close to season open) and have never had a problem at all. I use the A-Zoom aluminum caps. If the chamber is clean and the snap cap is clean and dry, I don't think there's a big risk unless you live right on the shoreline or in some comparable excess humidity situation.

Everyone seems to be assuming a pump gun here and, if so, I would agree. I have always heard that some SxS shotguns with leaf springs should not be left in a cocked state for extended periods of time. I have also heard that SxS with coil springs are not a concern. At least that's my rule of thumb. Modern coil springs, no worry. Leaf springs, best stored without tension.

I tend to store mine uncocked regardless.

I'm pretty sure the OP is talking about a Model 12 he recently bought. I agree with you, though, I store 'em all uncocked. The primary defensive shotgun stays "cruiser ready" so it gets snapped on an empty chamber. The others all have snap caps.

You can do it, but why? No real reason to do so.

I relieve all my springs, but I may be the odd duck here. When I get home from work, I put four jacks under my truck. Wouldn't want to end up with a low rider in a few years...


Seriously though, unless it's an antique gun, I doubt it's harming the springs any. I've never replaced a firing pin spring, but the last one I priced was $2.49

Actually, I did have to replace the rear leaf springs in my XJ, but that's a different topic and issue...

You can dry fire a Mossberg 500 but some guns you can't. I never like to dry fire any gun, I use a spent shell. I would NOT leave an alum snap cap in any gun for a long time, it will corrode.

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I wonder...will the aluminum snap cap corrode any faster than the metal found on the spent shell? Dubious.

If the gun is only fired once every 5 years or so (for instance), then I probably would not bother with a snap cap. But, if it is fired ever season, keeping such an item within the chamber certainly would not be a bad thing.

Of course, there are plastic variants out there. However, I have found these to be somewhat substandard. Just my .02 cents.

I would NOT leave an alum snap cap in any gun for a long time, it will corrode.

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I have a safe full of shotguns that say otherwise.

By the time the snap caps have corroded to the point where it's noticeable, the entire action of the gun is probably well frozen up and the barrel compromised by rust.

Dryfiring is not going to hurt the gun either.

This situation is like leaving the house unlocked because you don't want the keys to corrode in the lock, or the key/lock to wear out.

wel i am victum of that if u dont have solid reason dont leave it cocked.