Tac shotgun under the bed…

[bigshark14]

Hey guys- In what condition would you keep a defensive shotgun when it is stored for easy access home defense under or around your bed?

I keep a Winchester 8-Shot Defender under my side of the bed with the safety off, snap cap in the chamber, "hammer down", two first rounds are #6s, rest is OO buck…

I didn’t feel comfortable with the chamber loaded and the safety on (note that the Winchester has a plastic trigger housing). I also wanted a pump action necessary before firing because I am a big believer the idea that the noise of racking the slide will stop confrontations before they begin (at least sometimes).

Any thoughts???

 

[Bruce626]

OK, jumping in where others fear to tread...

Lots of thoughts about this on the old TFL threads and most are worth a read because there are lots of differing thoughts about what is right.

If you go there you'll read forceful opinions about the "rack sound factor" being misguided at best and suicidal at worst. You'll also read the opposite.

Lots of opinions there depend on whether or not kids are in the equation.

There's probably a dozen threads on the ammo question, also very dependent on the particular housing situation.

After reading all of those threads, participating in the dialog, and evaluating my own situation, I've decided on the following for my in-the-home HD situation in a Chicago urban scenario:

1. Exterior motion sensor lights on the most accessible deck. May eliminate the need for anything else. The guys from Cabrini Green don't work well under suddenly lighted conditions.

2. Under my side of the bed is my M500. I too opted for the "hammer down", ready to rack , safety off condition. Not for the sound effects but for the simplicity of me reacting in the middle of the groggy night with large muscle motions (rack) instead of small muscle motions (find the safety, move it forward). I've done a thousand or so drills with the second step being to move the safety to fire and I still feel better using the slide rack as a safe mechanism. YMMV.

3. So as to minimize colateral damage (killing neighbors) in an urban condo environment I've loaded the first 5 shells with Fed Pers Def #4 birdshot shells which maybe will penetrate drywall less. My next five on the sidesaddle are 00 buck (RR) because by then the SHTF. My next 4 on the buttsaddle are slugs, because by then the situation is probably CD not HD. My larger stash in the truck is all slugs, just because.

4. You've got to be mentally prepared to stop the threat with a silent (prep) quick shot(s) to the center of mass of the identified bad guy(s)... if not, sell your gun.

Just my humble opinions.

 

[pytron]

I can't keep a shotgun under the bed because of the rug rat (soon to be plural).

However, if I did keep a shotgun near the bed, I think under the bed is good choice, since it's horizontal, the position most long guns like best. Also, it's out of sight so if an intruder manages to get in your room without waking you, you are least still have an element of surprise. I think I would also have an empty chamber because I am also a believer in the satisfying sound of a shotgun being racked.

I would leave the shotgun in fully ready mode (safety off) and just rely on the empty chamber.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know jack about shotguns, so what is the snap cap for?

-Pytron

 

[HS/LD]

Winnie Defender great gun. Having recently reached the 16,000 shell mark with mine I am confident in the weapon for HD.

Mine is kept the same way. Within easy reach of the bed and the chamber empty. (I have no idea why you would have a snap cap in the chamber...?)
The hammer is down and the safety is off. I have no children (and don't want any) that even get close to my house.

The tube is loaded with 5 x 2 3/4" magnum 00 buck. (the extra recoil doesn't bother me) the final (6th as I keep it I shy of it's capacity) shell in the tube is a breneke KO slug, but I have forgotten the reason I have that in there.

Then the side saddle holds 6 more of the 00 buck and the butt cuff 6 more slugs.

I need the surefire forearm...

I used to keep it cocked and locked before I had practiced with it a lot.

Regards,
HS/LD

 

[bigshark14]

Hey- Didn’t know that I was opening a can of worms, I just wanted some advice regarding “The Best Way†to do something. Probably not a good idea in the firearms world.

The snap cap is mainly so I can let the firing pin down on an empty chamber. After it does that job, it is useless (except maybe it keeps the chamber clear of debris). Then on the first rack, it will be spit out and replaced with a live shell (#6 in my case). HOPEFULLY!!!!!!

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate your time. –Luke

ps- I will check TFL for some good threads.

 

[HS/LD]

Letting the firing pin down on the empty chamber wont hurt the Defender.

I can't see how the snap cap can hurt either but I just like the idea of keeping it as simple as possible.

I see no can nor worms around here.

Regards,
HS/LD

 

[NIGHTWATCH]

Snap-cap is a must have. Dry fire enough times, lose your firing pin and have a worthless weapon.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Here's my take on this. I arrived at this after long thought and some experiences.

I keep them Cruiser Ready. Action's locked shut, chamber's empty,safety's on,magazine full(down by one round,total 5 in the weapon).

First one up's a trap load,to reduce overpenetration. It's followed by 4 00 loads, more on the Side Saddle with two slugs. Slugs have limited use in HD, but I'm a firm believer in contingency planning.

The Cruiser Ready condition means it can be made ready to fire in a twinkling by one who knows how. Kids, irresponsible adults and goblins take much longer or cannot do it period.

And while I once stopped an escape by simply racking an 870, it's nothing to depend on.

 

[El Tejon]

Just ensure that you can run the gun without using your eyes. Pick a method and practice with it and you'll be fine.

I keep it loaded with the safety engaged. Sound is a target indicator. YMMV.

Note: I'm a bachelor with no children running around.

 

[Mannlicher]

Golly Jersey Boy, this thread keeps coming back to life.

My usual reply is that I keep the Mossberg 590 loaded, a round chambered,safety engaged, standing in the corner next to the bed. I am one of those that scoffs at 'racking the slide'. I just don't want to let anyone coming in know where I am, or what my condition of readiness is.

When I am finished putting the Wingmaster together, it will probably replace the Mossy.

The houseful of Scotties will wake me long before some one enters the bedroom. No kids, just the wife and I with the dogs.

My Mossberg patterns Number 1 Buck best, but I like 00 better. The butt stock slots carry Brenneke slugs. My load is usually 8 Remington 00. I am not worried about that current buzzword, 'overpenetration'.