Question about "pump action"

[Roman2in]

In the store I was told that, forward stroke cocks the hammer. But when I came home an took the gun apart, it really seems like it the rearward stroke.

Could someone tell me for sure which stroke cocks the trigger?

If it's indeed the forward stroke, does it mean that it's ok to keep the gun with the fore end brought to the rear? (with the breach open)

Thanks in advance!

 

[hoghunting]

The hammer cocks as the bolt travels to the rear.

 

[jfdavis58]

On my 870 the 'hammer' is set or cocked on the rearward half of the pump. The trigger has a disconnect that resets on the forward half of the pump. The trigger resets on pump rearward and remains disconnected until it's allowed to snap forward after the forward half of the pump action.

There are several ways to ready a shotgun for action:
1: load one round, chamber it, apply safety, load remaining rounds to magazine capacity.
2: Load magazine fully (requires a closed action). Pump as needed to fire. Here you can reload the 'missing' round after chambering one--or learn to count.
3: infinite variations...

I know of no good reason to leave a pump action open--the round next to chamber will be released from the magazine and wobble about, or fall out or jam right about 0.0001 seconds after the SHTF.

 

[jakemccoy]

For a home defense shotgun, I use muzzle down, hammer down, chamber empty, safety on, magazine full.

 

[Roman2in]

Thanks for confirming my opinion guys!

The reason I am asking is because I was thinking of using one of those gun locks that goes through your ejection port. Well, apparently it's not such a good idea, since the hammer spring will remain loaded.

 

[s4s4u]

Well, apparently it's not such a good idea, since the hammer spring will remain loaded.

That will do no harm.

 

[ArmedBear]

Hammers get left cocked for years. Doesn't seem to hurt anything.

I have a shotgun that was built in 1926. I have no reason to believe it was stored uncocked. Still works.

 

[Roman2in]

Well, as far as I understand, loaded spring loses tension with time, so eventually it won't be able to provide enough force to hit the primer hard enough.

Is there anything wrong with the way I understand this?

 

[4thPointOfContact]

Current knowledge is that springs don't fatigue from from being statically compressed, they fatigue either from being worked or from being overworked.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Is there anything wrong with the way I understand this?

Yep. It's a misunderstanding. It won't hurt the gun to stay cocked, if you want to leave it that way. If you want to leave it hammer down, though, make double sure (visual AND tactile check) that the chamber really is empty before you drop the hammer. Otherwise, sooner or later, your 'click' will turn into a BOOM!...

lpl

 

[jakemccoy]

Current knowledge is that springs don't fatigue from from being statically compressed, they fatigue either from being worked or from being overworked.

That's correct.

 

[Roman2in]

hm, that's interesting...

So how come it is not recommended to keep a pistol magazine loaded all the time? I thought that it would weaken the mag spring, and that the same should apply to the hammer spring in a pump action shotgun.

Also, it's a fact that alder cars sit lower above the ground than the ones that just rolled off the assembly line, due to the springs sagging with time. (although spring rate does stay the same) Won't the same apply to the hammer spring?

 

[dispatch55126]

Also, it's a fact that alder cars sit lower above the ground than the ones that just rolled off the assembly line, due to the springs sagging with time. (although spring rate does stay the same) Won't the same apply to the hammer spring?

That's because the the springs have been cycling over the years. It has nothing to do with the dead weight of the vehicle.

 

[Elbeeo]

So how come it is not recommended to keep a pistol magazine loaded all the time?

It will cause the feed lips to spread out. The spring will be fine, but you're going to be putting more force on the feed lips than if the mags were unloaded.

 

[earlthegoat2]

who told you it cocks on the forward stroke of the forend, the guy at gander mountain?

Anyway im sure there might be some make out there that utilizs this system just like how there are bolt action rifles out there that cock on closing, not many but a few.

 

[MrCleanOK]

If you aren't storing your gun in a furnace, your springs won't lose any oomph for being left cocked. Creep in metal is a function of load, temperature, and time. Your hammer springs will be fine.

 

[SASS#23149]

I once broke a firing pin by dry firing a shotgun...just like my dad warned me I might.Don't happen often,but I don't regard it as a good idea to do so.I"ve never had a problem with a gun left cocked tho.

 

[Virginian]

Older and/or leaf springs operate at higher stress levels relative to what they are ultimately designed for, therefore they are much more likely to lose temper if left/stored compressed.

I always wonder some people who store shotguns unloaded and/or locked think integral handgun locks are so awful.