Shotguns: safe to keep one in the chamber?

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Boomstick:

Chuck R,

Not to initiate an argument with you, but my thought on your comment is this: in the middle of the night or any other time, which is quicker? Getting into the locked case for the loaded weapon, or picking up a weapon sitting in the same area and charging it? Of course, there is the issue of safety, so I can definitely see keeping it locked up. Especially if someone is able to get to it before you are. I just want to hear your thoughts on the matter, especially pertaining to why you prefer such a practice. I can always use a fresh perspective, it may change my approach as well.
Click to expand...

Debate is healthy!

I do not have any loaded forearms in my house unsecure period. Both my HD firearms reside in V-Line locked storage containers. The V-Line case I use is one of their steel storage boxes with a simplex lock. I've set it to have the same 3 button code that's on my pistol vault in my nightstand. It's accessible in a couple seconds, faster than going to the closet for instance. I don't subscribe to racking for effect either, it may or not work, but if someone persists after I've told them I'm armed the next sound is the snick of the safety.

Even if I did subscribe to the empty chamber due to safety, and I used to, my gun would still be secured in the gun vault. My picture was mostly to demonstrate that with the gun properly secured, there's not a lot of potential to drop it.

IMHO, there's just too great a chance of an "unauthorized" individual getting access to one of my loaded guns and the risk is too great. The V-Lines aren't crook proof, but they sure beat hiding them behind the door or hanging above the closet door. :D

Chuck
 
Nope!

Everything in the house is loaded. Chambering a shotgun round (or any other) takes what... 1/10th second? From a safety standpoint... I don't keep the shotguns chambered 'n never have. There's no 'advantage' to it... and the disadvatages far outweigh anything else. It'd take about the same time to click the safety to 'off'... if you can find it in the dark... 'n remember if it was on or off to begin with. Keepin' a chambered shotgun inna locked box makes no sense whatever.
 
The HD 870s are kept Action locked closed, empty chamber,safety on, mag loaded one round less than max. One has been kept that way since the 80s. Still 100% reliable. Ammo get changed regularly.
 
There's no 'advantage' to it... and the disadvatages far outweigh anything else. It'd take about the same time to click the safety to 'off'... if you can find it in the dark... 'n remember if it was on or off to begin with. Keepin' a chambered shotgun inna locked box makes no sense whatever.
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:rolleyes:

Let me see if I get this straight.

Keeping a loaded shotgun unsecured with the chamber empty makes sense, but keeping one with the chamber loaded, safety on, in a secure container doesn't?

Care to explain your theory on how a 38lb gunvault containing a 8lb loaded shotgun is going to jump high enough off the floor and land on the butt of the gun in such a way as to cause it to discharge?

If you can't find the safety ( it's that little button on the right side rear of the trigger guard behind the trigger isn't it?) on your own HD gun in the dark, that says a little something about your level of training/preparedness doesn't it?

Probably better off armed with a blunt object or pointy stick at that point.

Tell me this, which do you honestly think has a better chance of occuring, your unsecure loaded gun ending up in the wrong hands, or my loaded gun having an AD while in it's locked security case?

Chuck
 
After seeing a picture of the roof of vehicle that was carrying an 870 with a loaded chamber instead of cruiser ready/hot standby, the 870 in my car is kept in cruiser ready condition. I think it is secured enough that it won't ever bounce around much, but I'm not willing to take the chance.

For HD, I'm not too concerned that anything will cause the firing pin to move other than me pulling the trigger.
 
Shotgun mt chamber storage???

Never really thought much about it.

Was taught that break open shotguns, this was before H&R went to a transfer bar action, should never be loaded unless actively being handled for purpose of shooting.

My repeaters not drop safe? Darn I must have been born lucky! The dents, dings, and just flat dropped muzzle down a longer way then I care to think about, took some really hard knocks, Much much harder then any break open, that we ever had tipped over from it's leaning tree during lunch (and these little knocks did drop hammers), and never once AD'd!

Thank the GOOD LORD, that I grew up in a place where I could do my own repairs, other wise I would have been to expensive for my dad to take me hunting as much as he did. And then I did grow into these boats I call feet and the drops got fewer!
 
Shoulda seen that one coming. Hunting is actively looking for something to shoot. The weapon and operator are not at rest, and the weapon is being carried. Nobody said to defend yourself with an unloaded weapon. Obviously you charge the weapon. I suppose you go around the house carrying the weapon everywhere looking for something to shoot too, huh?
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no I don't but the the weapon I choose to use is loaded.It almost seems like a double standard,guys will keep hanguns loaded,but for some reason a shotgun is unsafe?if anything I'd put more faith in an 870 safety simply because the are field guns who have to take abuse in the field.I wonder how many times these type guns have been dropped in boats,thrown in the beds of trucks,dropped from tree stands or taken tumbles down hills.I'm just not sure why the handgun is thought to be more "safe" than a long gun?
 
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Chuck R.,

That's one sweet Benelli. If I had the money, I'd get one. Inertia driven auto-loader is probably the best way to go, but I'll have to settle for one of the newest versions of the "tactical" Remington 1100s. It should be a good gun. It will be used for home defense and some range practice (obviously-or it's no good as a defense gun). No competitions or anything, so maintenance shouldn't be much more than cleaning after shooting.
 
boomstik45,

The 1100 will serve you well. I started with an Auto-5, then Remington 58, then 1100, then 11-87, finally the SBE and my M1S90. I've still go the 11-87 as a spare.

Never had a problem with any of them. Even broke an "O" ring on the 11-87 and it kept shooting. The biggest benefit I see with the inertia is it's easier to clean. My 11-87 is a little softer shooting than my M1.

Chuck
 
Chuck, thanks for your honesty and your help. I definitely like your idea on storing a loaded go-to weapon. I'm going to buy a good case here shortly. I really do like the Benelli after having handled one. I just don't have the dough to drop on one right now. I'd rather spend it on a good rifle/carbine setup if I did. I posted a new thread on an 1100 I found finally. Would appreciate your thoughts as always. Again, thanks. One day I'll have a Benelli, especially if I can find one for a good price and in reasonable shape used.
 
Empty chamber but loaded with one less than max and safety on. I agree that this is the safest way and that racking it takes only a second and the sound effect is helpful. However, I do have a question...
If one round was kept in the chamber, but the safety was on... how could it go off without the safety being disengaged?
I'm a new shotgun owner so I apologize in advance if that's a stupid question.
 
If one round was kept in the chamber, but the safety was on... how could it go off without the safety being disengaged?
Click to expand...

Something jarring the gun enough to cause the hammer to slip away from the sear. That requires some serious force though. On a mechanically sound gun there should be enough sear engagement to prevent the hammer from slipping even if you slam the butt on the ground.
 
I store my Mossy 500 in a Mossy LocBox in my closet. The lock only works with the chamber empty. I can take a hint from the manufacturer. :)
 
On a mechanically sound gun there should be enough sear engagement to prevent the hammer from slipping even if you slam the butt on the ground.
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It should.

But those of us that have been shooting for a couple years have seen stuff happen. One reason most carry pistols have redundant safeties.

Each of us will choose based on either, experience or religious belief.

You decide what you will leave your chances to.

Go figure.
 
Not to initiate an argument with you, but my thought on your comment is this: in the middle of the night or any other time, which is quicker? Getting into the locked case for the loaded weapon, or picking up a weapon sitting in the same area and charging it? Of course, there is the issue of safety, so I can definitely see keeping it locked up. Especially if someone is able to get to it before you are. I just want to hear your thoughts on the matter, especially pertaining to why you prefer such a practice. I can always use a fresh perspective, it may change my approach as well.
Click to expand...

Consider the salient points:

If you have to access a gun to protect yourself, in your home, chances are you're going to have to do it QUICK. Good reason, IMHO, to have a familiar handgun available first.

If you have awakened and the threat is present but not imminent, your pistol will be enough so that you CAN reach your shotgun.

And, the shotgun does NOT have to be racked hard. Simply release the slide, and move it back slowly, but smoothly. When you hit the rearmost point of travel, the shell latch will release, placing a round onto the elevator. Easing the slide forward will lift the shell and chamber it, finally locking the shotgun. No noise necessary!

Keep the shotgun cruiser ready: empty chamber, and I recommend buck/buck/slug, then alternating.
 
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