storing a pump

[rick grigutis]

hi all
new to pump shotguns and just got an old wingmaster. what's the correct way to store the gun? action open? action closed,trigger released,snap cap in the chamber? action closed, trigger not released? action closed,trigger released on empty chamber? or none of the above?
thanx, rick

 

[rero360]

welcome aboard, I've always stored mine with action closed, and trigger pulled, I keep a snap cap in it now that I have one but they really are not that important, I've been doing this since I got my first gun at the age of 16 and having worked in an armory for a year when i was on active duty only added to this practice, the military stores their 870s the same way, no snap cap though.

I'm sure others will have other opinions, its really about what works best for you.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Hi Rick, glad to have you here...

If you mean relatively long term storage, as in a gun safe etc., I'd double check the chamber (visible and tactile chamber checks, tactile means 'stick your finger in there'), close the bolt (after you get your finger out of course) and drop the hammer without worrying about a snap cap and leave the action closed with the hammer down. My 'house guns' are 870s (except for a stray Win1300/FN Police that's being torture tested these days) and they have been left with a few rounds of 00 buck in the magazine and the hammer down on an empty chamber (double checked) for decades with no problems. Plenty of 'em get left cocked for decades too, with no apparent problems. Don't really know that it makes much difference either way, but I like to store stuff with springs relaxed.

lpl/nc

 

[1 old 0311]

Action closed. Trigger pulled.

Kevin

 

[rick grigutis]

thanx boys
i broke the firing pin right after i got it dry firing it a couple times on the empty chamber. that's why i was hesitant to let the new firing pin take a pop w/o the snap cap. thanks again, rick

 

[Onmilo]

In a gun case, unloaded, bouncing around in the back of my pick-up!
It's a Mossberg 500 and I have always thought of it more like an adjustable wrench than a fine firearm.