Those of you who use a semi-auto shotgun for defense, what condition do you keep it?

[gulogulo1970]

I've kept pump shotguns for home defense for almost 40 years. Always safety off, full magazine, just cycle it and it is ready.

I just bought a Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol. I'm going to shoot it for a few months and become comfortable with it, then load it up and hopefully never need it.

My question how do you keep your semi-autos ready? I'm thinking full tube and cycle the action; or full tube, one in chamber, safety on. How do you all store yours and be ready for whatever?

 

[1KPerDay]

Personally I store my defensive shotguns cruiser ready, which to me means chamber empty, action unlocked (if applicable), safety off. Rack it and go. YMMV.

 

[Chuck R.]

Before I switched to a carbine, I kept my Benelli M1 in condition 1 (loaded chamber, safety on) with 6 rds in the magazine 9holds 7) in a V-Line gun vault:

 

[WestKentucky]

All long guns are carried the same. Chamber empty, magazine filled, safety off. Usually that stays the same when hunting until I’m either in my intended spot or I stumble across something before I get to my spot.

 

[jmr40]

Same with pump or semi. Loaded mag, empty chamber. Reloads close by.

 

[gulogulo1970]

Thank you.

Yeah, Chambered with just the safety on makes me nervous. If I had a long gun quick vault like Chuck R. I could see keeping it like that as well.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I rarely keep a long gun chambered. All duty pumps and semi autos are condition 3. Exposed hammer levers sometimes have a round loaded with the hammer on half-cock. Also at play is my general dislike of energized firing systems for daily utilization. In CO, longtime game rules prohibit vehicle carry of round in chamber long-guns, so it just seems normal to me. I don't feel "less tactical" not having a chambered long-gun.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

+1 Cruiser Ready

 

[luzyfuerza]

Getting to "cruiser ready" is easy to understand for a pump-action shotgun. Close bolt on an empty chamber, safety off, press trigger, load tube. The gun is now safe to store. When needed, cycle slide and go to work.

For an autoloader like a A300UP, getting to cruiser ready is a little different. Close bolt on an empty chamber, safety off, load tube, PRESS THE CARRIER RELEASE to drop a shell onto the lifter. The gun is now safe to store. When needed, cycle the bolt and go to work.

The process matters.

 

[Insignificant bill]

Yeah chamber empty and safety off. I have mine right by my bed. It's not drop safe. This on a pump shot gun. My semi auto isn't even loaded

 

[greyeyezz]

If I was to own an A300 UP which I do, it would be tube loaded 7, plus one on the lifter, chamber empty.

 

[REWTEX]

Fully loaded and cocked with the safety on. Have done this for many years with no issues.

 

[Lo-Profile]

Beretta 1201fp, chamber empty, full tube.

 

[GJeffB]

Serious question, perhaps tangential to the original question:
If a semi-auto handgun is (in general, not specific models) carried in Condition 1, why are long arms carriers/owners apparently adverse to Condition 1?

-jb, obviously not an owner

 

[Miami_JBT]

Loaded with the safety engage. It isn't riding around in my trunk as a patrol shotgun. It is doing home defense duty.

When I was a cop, my patrol shotgun was cruiser ready. Loaded mag tube with an empty chamber.

 

[luzyfuerza]

If a semi-auto handgun is (in general, not specific models) carried in Condition 1, why are long arms carriers/owners apparently adverse to Condition 1?

Most modern handguns are drop safe.

Modern long guns are not.

Those who store a long gun in condition 1 are at real risk of an unintended discharge if the gun is dropped or knocked over.

 

[Mannlicher]

Any firearm I keep for self defense will be chambered, safety on (if there is a safety). If you really need it, you need it NOW!

 

[Mauser lover]

Loaded, all the way, with the safety on. I figure the more manipulations are required, the more likely I am to make a mistake.

 

[herrwalther]

Pump is kept tube full, chamber full, safety on. I do not subscribe to the silly notion that racking the slide will make someone run. The only action I want to take is the safety coming off.

 

[GJeffB]

luzyfuerza seza

Most modern handguns are drop safe.
Modern long guns are not.

Thank you. Assuming that's correct it makes sense. Not to flagellate a decease equine, but my quick search shows [paraphrased] most are drop safe from reasonable distances, many popular models (Rem 870, Moss 800, Benelli maybe) are safe, etc. fluctuating yes/no/maybe.

-jb, thread drifting, I may start a separate thread

 

[argonn]

My grandfather, who raised me, mom and dad died a month apart when I was quite young, hung a pump shotgun by my bed at 13. I have kept a pump there for 64 years. Tube full, chamber empty, ready to simply pump and chamber. 6 extra on the sling, and two five round boxes to pocket.

 

[Glockpride]

Most are kept in cruiser ready, for long arms. However, I may have a 1301T 1+1+7.

 

[highup]

I don't use semi-shotguns for home-defense; I use semi-rifles.
vehicle: chamber empty, safety off, mag loaded and inserted.
home: chambered (chamber full), safety off, mag loaded and inserted.

 

[argonn]

For home defense.

 

[Miami_JBT]

For home defense.
View attachment 1263514

Still constitutes lethal force in FL.