Storing pump guns

[The Scandinavian]

Hi

I'm interested to know if people generally store their pump action shotguns with the action open, closed and cocked, or closed with the hammer down on an empty chamber or snap cap? Could the mainspring get 'tired' by being stored with the hammer back?

Thanks!

 

[Landlocked Pirate]

I keep my 870 18 1/2" unlocked, off safe, three rounds in the four-round magazine, and chamber empty. Have five additional rounds in nylon buttcuff.

 

[Fred Fuller]

'Store' in what way? Locked away in the safe for a while, mine are all put away with 'relaxed springs.' That means empty magazines and hammers down on a double checked (visual and tactile) empty chamber.

When the 870s here are on standby for emergency use, magazines are loaded one round less than capacity, with buckshot, to leave room for a slug if it's needed first up. Sidesaddles are loaded with slugs, chambers are empty and hammers are cocked/safeties on so that actions are ready to load via the loading port if necessary.

lpl/nc

 

[NCLivingBrit]

I keep my Mossberg with five rounds in the mag, nothing in the chamber and safety off, as it's my HD gun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

One 870 of mine has been cocked for close to 50 years. No probs.

 

[ronto]

For HD:

Mag full, chamber empty, safety off, bolt closed.

 

[Striker]

For guns stored and secured, all springs relaxed, same as Lee.

For HD and immediate response shop gun(s): mag full, round chambered, safety on.

 

[the naked prophet]

Because shotguns are generally not dropsafe (someone correct me if I'm wrong - at least I believe the mossberg 500 I keep beside the bed is not), I don't keep one in the chamber. I have a full mag of 2 3/4 inch shells and the chamber is empty, with the hammer down and safety off. That way, all I have to do is pick it up and pump it and it's ready to go. I don't keep any slugs, because I live in an apartment and if I need to shoot something farther away than the front door, I can grab my AK.

 

[Milkmaster]

Most of my pumps I keep in the safe with the action closed and the hammer down with the muzzle pointing up.

However, I now keep a beater that is well excercised in the corner. It is worn enough that the action falls open with the muzzle up. So the bolt is open and the magazine has 3 shells in it. The gun is old, but the action is smooth and never had a problem I've seen in the 10 years I have owned it. It is a model 12 from the 50's

 

[snorko]

I have a moss. 500 for HD. It is kept loaded with 5 shells - full capacity. Before loading I rack it. This means, in order to load and fire the gun, one has to push in the button on the left side of the trigger guard. This is easy as I shoot left handed.

A while back I took the mossy to the range and shot out the five shells with no problem. It had been loaded in the closet for +/- 7 years.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

First of all, leaving springs compressed doesn't hurt them. Springs are worn out by cycling. Storing a gun cocked, or with the magazine full doesn't hurt the springs.

Next, I like to keep my Ithaca 37, my HD gun with the magazine loaded, chamber empty but cocked and safety engaged. I can cycle the gun just as quickly to load it, but an unknowledgeable (and unauthorized) person might be perplexed for a second or two trying to put the gun into action.

 

[rcmodel]

First of all, leaving springs compressed doesn't hurt them. Springs are worn out by cycling. Storing a gun cocked, or with the magazine full doesn't hurt the springs.

+++++++++++++++++1!!!!!!!!!

Not to mention, you could be doing more damage to the shotguns firing pin by snapping it to get the spring relaxed on an empty chamber.

Many shotguns, especially older designs, do not take well at all to dry-firing them.


rcmodel

 

[The Scandinavian]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replies!

I guess I don't have to worry about leaving the hammer back on an empty chamber.

Oh and I meant store as in "put away in the safe for a few days/weeks", not as in leaving it ready for HD purposes.

Thanks again

"T.S."

 

[szembek]

However you want to, it really makes no difference. I would recommend the action to be open so you know it's empty when you go to grab it next time.

 

[Hoppy590]

the model 12 is empty, closed chamber, snap capped.
the 590 is lurking in the darkness, magazine loaded, safety off,chamber empty,side saddles loaded,and ofcourse. bayonet mounted

 

[The Scandinavian]

However you want to, it really makes no difference. I would recommend the action to be open so you know it's empty when you go to grab it next time.

Actually I store it with the barrel off (to fit it into my safe) so I'm already pretty sure it's empty

After reading the replies on this thread though I won't bother lowering the hammer any more after disassembling it.

 

[the naked prophet]

In the safe, all my long guns have a loaded mag and empty chamber, except the dedicated plinkers. All the pistols in my safe; in general, if I own a holster for it, it's loaded and in the holster.

 

[Gord]

Leaning in the corner with the safety on - no fumbling with locks in this house.

870 Express, four in the magazine, chamber empty. Rack the pump and ready to go.

Loaded with 00 buck, with another three rounds of buck and two slugs in a buttcuff (best $5 you can spend).

Doesn't get stored - just goes into a locked softcase in the truck when I'm going somewhere.

 

[SoCalShooter]

I keep my 870 18 1/2" unlocked, off safe, three rounds in the four-round magazine, and chamber empty. Have five additional rounds in nylon buttcuff.

Same here. But insert mossberg for 870.:0

 

[Jack2427]

I keep guns used for HD mag loaded, chamber empty, with a butt cuff with 5-6 rounds stuffed with the same ammo that's in the gun. My doubles are stored with the butt cuff loaded, chambers empty, and 2 rounds of the selected ammo rubber banded to the barrel just above the chambers. Yeah I keep more than one HD shotgun around. The primary is a BPS Buck special, the others (that are concealed) are doubles with legal length short barrels, I kind of like the hammer models, if a hammerless, the gun is cocked with enmpty chambers(makes it easier and quieter to load). The only guns I keep loaded are the HD weapons, I want to be sure which guns are ready to go, and I do not want a guest picking up a loaded weapon by accident.
A while back Sportemansguide.com was selling a combination coat rack/short shotgun concealed holder under it. I bought 6 of them, keep them in handy locations. They hold a short pump or double with a regular stock, neat idea.