how to store a HD shotgun??

[proven]

i was wondering how you guys store your HD shotguns?? i was thinking of cruiser ready with mag tube loaded and safety on. no kids to worry about. what are your thoughts on proper storage of a HD weapon?? round chambered or not?? locked in cabinet or not?? zipped up in case or not??
thanks for the help.

 

[Ringer]

I have teenage girls and keep mine locked up during the day and unlocked at night. 5 rounds of #4 buck in the 6 mag tube, none in the chamber, safety on. I shoot clays with the same model gun and always keep the safety on except when ready to shoot so I'm in the habit of pushing the safety off before firing. My gun is hanging on the wall next to my bed. I unlock the loc-box at night and lock it up in the morning. Key is kept in the handgun safe on top of the dresser. That's what I do anyway and it works for me.

 

[ducktapehero]

I don't have kids so I leave mine with the tube full but the chamber empty. I keep the chamber empty for 2 reasons, one is that I have dogs and don't want to take the chance of them knocking over my shotgun with a loaded chamber, the other reason is that if I need to use it for home defense I'm hoping the racking of the pump will persuade the bad guy to move on. I know that racking can give your position away but if someone is already in my house I doubt I will have time to grab my shotgun. I'll grab my 45 revolver that I keep loaded in my sock drawer. The shotgun is more for yard defense.

 

[Mulliga]

I keep my 20 ga. 870 right on my bed, right beside me, tube loaded and chamber empty. Impractical if you have a significant other, but probably the most convenient place to put a weapon, a quality that's important if someone or something is smashing your door down.

 

[Smoke]

I don't advacate loaded firearms ON the bed...but thats just me.

If no kids about, fully loaded, chambered safety on.

If kids are present and so are you: Crusier safe.

If kids are present and you aren't: Locked in a heavy safe.

Smoke

 

[riverdog]

No kids. SG is kept in the bedroom with full mag less one and empty chamber -- plus a few more rounds of 00B to keep it topped.

 

[labgrade]

"I have a friend" .... who sometimes has a 7+ 870 handy.

5 in the magazine (EZ on the srping), chamber empty/hammer dropped, safety on. Nests nicely bbl-down in a soft-side that hangs from a closet hanger bar. Still have to work action & thumb off safety.

Fed Premiums #4 buck = 42 pellets for y'all's 3"ers. A handy enough bandoleer of slugs/00 rounds even out the score.

Pretty easy living where this guy lives & figures with Bay-O-Wolf's resonant barkings, the Mag-Lite, BHP & The Wife being wakened before the alarm clock goes off, the shotty'll never get used.