HD shotgun...how many in the mag?

[dukefan70]

An HD pistol w/ multiple mags can be changed out every so often so the mag spring doesn't suffer, but that's not so much an option with a Mossberg. I've heard varying opinions on the durability of a shotgun mag spring, and I would really like to keep the max (5) in the mag w/ the chamber empty. Thoughts, please.

 

[kidrice]

I have a Mossberg 500 as a HD. My model allows for 7+1. I've kept 5 00shells loaded at all times and I have not experienced any spring failure. I do take it out to shoot about 3-4 times a year and I never had a problem with the shells cycling through.

On a side note, I have a 6 shell side saddle. It currently holds 4 00 & 2 slugs. Since there are only 5 rounds loaded in the magazine, I could take one of the slugs and load it so that I would be my next shot.

 

[Robert]

Mag springs have been shown to not weaken from being loaded. It is the loading and unloading, or the cycling of the spring, that wears it out. I leave both my 1911 mags and my 590 fully loaded. The 590 has been loaded for over a year now, I need to shot it more, with no signs of a weak spring.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

4 ready at all times.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Shotgun magazine springs can be changed also- Wolfe makes 'em. Not as easily on a Mossberg 500/Maverick 88 as on some other designs, granted, since it requires unscrewing the magazine tube from the receiver to do it with the Mossberg/Maverick. That's always been my sole major criticism of the design. Even so, magazine springs can be changed in them- it's just more hassle than with designs offering pull-through magazine maintenance.

As to the basic question, we load magazines one round short here. Since the guns in question are Remington 870s with standard 4-round magazines, that means 3 rounds of 00 buck in the magazine. There are four Brenneke KO slugs in the Sidesaddles, ready for an easy select slug drill for the first round up if it's needed. Chambers are empty, actions cocked and locked.

Not saying that's the best way to do it, it's just what we do. Haven't worn out any magazine springs yet, but there are spares in the parts box just in case.

FWIW,

lpl

BTW, I'm moving this to Shotguns- it'll likely get more attention there.

 

[Badger Arms]

In my lifetime of shooting, I've NEVER had a failure of any sort due to a "weak" spring. That includes Remington 1100 use where a heavy spring is mandatory to trip the carrier release. Never had any experience with anybody else having a FTF traceable to magazine springs.

BTW, unscrewing the magazine tube on the Mossberg is not for the feint of heart, but it can be done fairly easily. Take two 2x4" studs with a thin layer of cork board or something as thin as a popsicle stick inbetween. Find a hole saw about the diameter of the the mag tube. Drill down between the 2x4's width wise. Take the filler sheet out and clamp the barrel between the boards. Turn the receiver... it's righty-tighty so turn it counterclockwise. Install the opposite way. I always like to clamp down over the end cap with the Mossberg.

All that said, on the Mossberg 20ga I have five rounds in the magazine, hammer down on empty chamber, safety off. 20-pellet #3 buck.
Remington 870 12ga it's six rounds in the magazine, hammer down on empty chamber, safety off. 2 3/4" Magnum 00 Buck 12-pellet.

 

[Dr. Fresh]

I keep my 500 loaded with 7 in the mag. It's a 7-round mag.

 

[CWL]

One less than capacity. This allows you to do shell selection between buck & slugs if necessary.

No need to worry about the springs.

 

[proud2deviate]

My 870 is loaded to capacity, and I've never had a problem with it.

 

[psyopspec]

No slugs given my current living situation, but the beauty of a shotgun is that I can easily change the setups and loads to suit my environment. In the future I'll probably take a cue from Mr. Lapin by downloading one and keeping slugs on hand. Currently, my 870 is loaded to capacity with 000 buck.

Also, to reiterate what was said above, it's use (repeatedly putting springs under tension and then relaxing them) that causes eventual wear.

 

[MCgunner]

What mag? I got one in each barrel.

 

[cerberus65]

6 in the mag tube here

 

[-v-]

7 in the mag tube, chamber empty, hammer down. First 5 are 12 pellet 00, last 2 are 1oz slugs. I figure if I put 60 00 balls into a BG and they are still coming, it might be time for something with a bit more Oooomph...

 

[blkbrd666]

I have had 5 rounds loaded in a Mossberg 600 for over 15 years and it feeds and fires them all with no problems every couple of years. It still has the original spring in the tube and the gun is 25-30 years old.

 

[dukefan70]

well that about settles that...i guess i won't worry bout the mag spring anymore, and keeping a space open in the mag to top off with a slug might not be a bad idea either. i have invested in an elastic shell holder for the stock...maybe a sidesaddle would be another good investment. thanks everybody.

 

[mbt2001]

Does leaving shells in the tube damage the shells? I read that recently, but have never ever experienced in my life... Kind of makes me think it is one of those stories that has happened to everyones brother's best friend's roomate...

 

[wnycollector]

My 20" Maverick 88 security is 7+1. I have 7 in the mag tube, chamber empty, hammer down. I also have 6 extra rounds on a butt cuff.

Does leaving shells in the tube damage the shells?

It's my understanding that springs get fatigued and fail with repeated loading/unloading. Keeping the spring compressed does not cause fatigue.

 

[scottishclaymore]

What mag? I got one in each barrel.

Love it!

 

[TeamPrecisionIT]

Loaded up with 5 in the tube, none in the chamber, hammer down (ready to be pumped without having to hit the slide release), safety off for the last 6 years on a Mossberg 500 Persuader. I have never replaced the magazine spring and I shoot it once a month or sometimes more often.

In the event that I needed to change the spring, all I do is unscrew the magazine tube from the reciever, which on mine is not as difficult as some have made it to seem and I don't know why. I can literally just unscrew it, by hand, from the reciever. I don't think that's a bad thing and I have never had it come loose whenever I am on the firing line either at the range or shooting skeet/trap.

Damian

 

[SamG.]

I load it with 5. It's Maverick 88.

 

[Col. Plink]

Mossberg 18.5" with 5 in the tube and 1 chambered, safety on, at the ready, with alternating rounds of slugs, buckshot, and 3" T-shot. Stock sleeve w/ 5 more handy. It's not bad with birds either (different loads, of course).

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

It's made for 5. Use 5. It will work and last; believe me.

 

[RP88]

I also have a 500 7+1 model. I keep five 2-3/4" 00BK shells in the mag, unchambered. If I need more than five rounds of 00BK, then I should have grabbed my Glock or AR instead.

 

[tactikel]

My SD shotgun is a 20 ga. 870 special field (3 shots -3"chamber)-my backup is a Springfield XD-45 (13+1 of +P .45 acp), if 17 shots dont end it, I have 2 more XD mags!

 

[psyopspec]

Does leaving shells in the tube damage the shells?

After longer periods of time (I would think a couple years minimum) the shot inside of a plastic shell can start to create bumps by bulging out. At worst, it can jam the shotgun by making the shell unchamberable. Check and rotate ammo twice a year minimum and you won't have to worry about it.