Best way to stow Benelli for HD?

H

HKguy9

New member
What is the best way to stow it for HD?

I don't want to leave it around 24/7 chamber loaded because the chances of me actually needing it in a bloody hurry are pretty damned low.

To load the magazine, I think the gun has to be cocked. But after I load it and cycle it, the rounds stay in the magazine.

Should I load 6 rounds or 7? Will loading 7 wear out the spring?

How would you stow it so you can get it in action as fast as possible yet chamber empty?

Thank you.
 
Best Shotgun HD Storage?

Same issue for my Rem870. I'm no expert, but here's the accumulated wisdom from others that I'm currently favoring:

Stored "Cruiser Ready" with empty chamber, safey on and hammer down appears to be the agreed ready state.

For HD, given the short distances involved (can't see why you'd plan to shoot past 10-15yd, unless you've got a *very* big livingroom), 00 Buckshot should suffice. Hence, there's no particular need to load 1 down for switch to slug. As you will want to be proficient enough to hit 100% at close-range, you will have that mag emptied at least every month or so to practice (and to oil to prevent rust), so a full mag tube should be no problem.

As far as wall penetration on missed shots, that routine practice should be stressed, as missing is not an option. Some suggest #4 Buck or birdshot to prevent wall penetration, but being sure you will hit is the best insurance. If you miss, presumably your attacker is intent on killing you and everyone in the house, so wall penetration is not the main issue involved in missing.

I know one person that loads 1st round 00 Buckshot and the rest slugs, but doesn't recommend it for others - one must sure of their ability to hit 100% and know overpenetration outcomes.

If you have kids, that's the next issue. You need to assure no kid (or adult, for that matter), will fire your shotgun for the wrong reason (accident, malicious intent, etc.) While instant access gun safes are a good option for pistols, the same models for long guns run into the $500 zone. With a 3 and 8 year old, I can't set a gun high enough or convince my wife (or myself) that they and/or friends will not get at it, even with Eddie Eagle and other education. Hence, I'm looking for options for instant access storage.

BRET
 
A coupla things....

Unauthorized use by irresponsible adults and shildren is a big prob, no doubt. A pump gun kept "Cruiser Ready", WHICH INCLUDES HAVING THE ACTION LOCKED SHUT ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER, SAFETY ON, can be activated in a twinkling by trained personnel, but presents several obstacles to the non cognizant.

While some folks and very few agencies advocate the hammer down condition, if the cruiser hits a bump, or gets brushed against, the wepon moves one step closer to being charged. Action locked closed is a better choice. I doubt the time saved by an unlocked action would be more than that between varied peoples' reaction times.IOW,small fractions of a second.

Inside of a house, choke and spread are meaningless.Load is scarcely more important. IOW, a target load for the 28 gauge(3/4 oz) is the tactical equal of a teacup full of 000 from a 10 gauge.

As for loading the mag, my HD 870 has spent most of the last 20 years with one less than mag capacity and the action locked closed.No probs yet.

That mag has a trap load first up, followed by Estate 00. There's two slugs in the S/S and more 00. If ten rounds will not resolve a HD prob, more probably won't either...
 
I think with the Benelli, I didn't want to drop the hammer with a loaded mag tube just becuase i felt unsafe dry-firing with a loaded gun, even if I know the chamber is empty.

The only one else here is my roommate, who is mentally stable, and seldom invites people over. Perhaps I can load it, and if someone tries racking it, nothing will be chambered, unless they know to hit the carrier release button (kind oflike the slide lock on a pump gun). Perhaps that will suffice as my 'cruiser ready' mechanism?

And safety on or no safe? I figure if they're smart enough to figure out how to chamber a round by hitting the carrier release, they would have figured out the safety already?
 
Good point about the locked slide with hammer up Dave, one which I'll add to the stock of wisdom I've gleaned from others with more experience than me.
BRET
 
Mine is kept in my own flavor of cruiser ready. I keep 6 rounds in the tube and one round on the shell lifter, with empty chamber, hammer down and safety off. HTH,

Justin
 
Load magazine.

Pull bolt handle back, drop a shell onto shell carrier, and store muzzle up, safety off.

When you need the gun, just push the slide release button, and you're ready to go.

If it's a pump, same deal, just open action, drop in shell, rack pump forward to chamber round.

Don't worry about springs breaking or wearing under compression - they will not.

Bowser.
 
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