Newbie has a question

[andy]

I just bought a Winchester 1300 Defender for HD and might leave it stored loaded for long periods of time. Is it possible that this might damage the magazine spring or shells if left this way for an extended period?

 

[HSMITH]

Nope, clean ALL the oil out of the magazine tube, wax inside of the tube with a paste wax and forget about it. Keep the gun oiled as normal. Wax the spring too.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Like H said, Andy. But.....

Don't leave it loaded up for a long time. Shoot it frequently, clean and reload with new ammo. Repeat often.

BA/UU/R....

 

[dfariswheel]

The spring should be Ok for long term compression, but WATCH the shells.
Modern plastic shotshells can compress and bulge between the shell head and the shot column. The bulged case can cause jams.

As above, shoot the ammo up regularly, and inspect for bulges in between trips to the range.

 

[riverdog]

Modern plastic shotshells can compress and bulge between the shell head and the shot column.

With which manufacturer have you seen this happen? This is new to me ... How many rounds were in the tube/how much spring compression?

 

[Scout.308]

My strategy to avoid spring tension loss: keep two in the mag ('nuff to start a party) with a full Sidesaddle (or elastic butt cuff) for quick fill-up.

My plan is to rack one, and then load-up. No spring-fatigue concerns, and ready in a hurry.

Since I have a turkey load (fitting, ain't it?) up first, backed by one 00, this clears the mag to be all-buck right away.

 

[HSMITH]

Springs are worn/weakened by CYCLES, not static compression. Think "workhardening" here, and the old paperclip that you break by working it back and forth over and over. A spring reacts the same way. We are not talking an overloaded truck here, it is a spring designed to compress to that length. Leaving springs compressed fully and it harming them is an old wives tale, but if it makes you feel better to leave it one or two short go for it.

Cycling the ammo out for fresh ammo is not going to hurt anything for sure.

 

[andy]

Thanks guys, I knew I could count you for some straight up info. I've been shooting for many years but its mostly been with hand guns. This is my first time using a shotgun and its like going into unexplored territory. Lots of fun though!

 

[oldfella]

I found this thread of special interest, as I had the same question in mind. Just bought a new Mossberg 590A1 a month ago, hasn't been shot yet. Been wondering what I should use to break it in; and what kind & brand I should use for HD... any suggestions will be appreciated. Regards. Oldfella

 

[HSMITH]

Oldfella, 5000 of the cheapest stuff you can find will be a good start to breaking that 590 in. Buy a ton of ammo, shoot it all up, repeat 2 or 3 times and by then you and your shotgun should be broken in just fine. It does not matter really, just so long as you get out and shoot!!!!

 

[oldfella]

Thanks, HSMITH - I don't think I'll be shooting it that much. The recoil kind of scares me, maybe break a bone - even though I replace the stock with a recoil stock: http://www.knoxx.com/tech_support/compstock.html
This oldfella is not a spring chicken (85).

Can you tell me what kind of shot (ammo) I should keep for HD?

Thanks. Oldfella

 

[Dave McCracken]

TTBOMK, the extended mag spring in my HD 870 has been compressed one under capacity for most of the last 20 years. No probs.

Riverdog, back in the day, tower shotguns would stay loaded until someone felt like checking the ammo and function. The shells would telescope a bit, and oft the crimp would pop and we'd end up with buffering material everywhere.

BTW, I took a mess of these messed up rounds to the range. Mostly Winchester 00, every one I could get in the chamber fired.

I suggest using the ammo in the weapon at present
on the range nest time, then cleaning the weapon and replacing with new ammo.

HTH...

 

[9mmMike]

I did some measuring a while back.
Here's what I found:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91742

Mike

 

[HSMITH]

oldfella, Federal brand Tactical or Reduced Recoil buckshot in #4 size would be my choice for around the house.

 

[oldfella]

Thanks, HSMITH - I'll look around to see if I can find it locally... small town here.