Help me decide: Round in the chamber or not when storing HD shotgun?

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i have a kid. and I understand that people will have different concerns on keeping firearms in the house, I totally respect that. but this wasn't a thread about how to store firearms used for hunting. this was about firearms for home defense. but please explain how ammo stored separately from a firearm could be beneficial in a home defense scenario. I just can't wrap my head around how that works in the real world. I apologize for being rude.
To be more precise, this is a thread about whether to keep a round chambered in a HD shotgun. While a chambered round is more quickly brought into action, one with a full magazine and an empty chamber is almost as readily used. Storing ammo in a separate place can mean that a firearm takes just a bit more time (as when shotshells are kept in a drawer by the shotgun and in such a case I can accept why a parent would make such a choice) or a great deal more time (when the shells are kept in a locked safe on another floor of the house and in that instance I doubt that a HD gun would be of much use).
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Agreed. If the concern is such that shells are stored in a locked container separately, then its beyond the query of this thread, but I would suggest that a long gun for HD is not for that person in a reactive situation.
 
For HD I use a Stoeger Double Defense side-by-side "Coach Gun", rounds (mini's) in the chamber, action open, stored where it is not readily visible but easy for me to get at. My kids are teenagers (girls) with absolutely zero interest in guns that have been taught the do's and don'ts.
 
I'm gonna say..everyone's situation is different....I have a short double that stays loaded with the safety on....I also have a pump that is loaded without a round in chamber....I have no kids at home and my wife is proficient with gun safety and use....
 
I know im a bit late to the party but my Mossberg and Remington are both full in the magazines with the trigger tripped and the safety's off. If I need it, I just rack a round into the chamber and its good to go,
 
My 97 is the hd duty firearm...

it is stored with the mag and chamber empty and the five buckshot rounds are in a stock sleeve.

It is not located for easy access, I want to travel a distance to be FULLY
AWAKE.

The sound of a shell dropping into the chamber is very loud, followed by the action racking shut. Remaining round are fed into the mag.

No problem with the daughters, when they were of size they were taught
how it operated and how to load and fire.
 
My 97 is the hd duty firearm...

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Wow... A Win 97 (with no disconnector) for HD and you state the following?

It is stored with the mag and chamber empty and the five buckshot rounds are in a stock sleeve.
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Are you aware of how fast a home invasion can happen? I've seen YouTube vids of guys who can load (using shotshell speedloaders) a pump shotgun magazine in a few seconds, but that's not me and I'll bet it's not you. With the adrenaline pumping and sleep grogginess/confusion, it ain't gonna happen. Have you tried a similar scenario when you are fully awake and timed it? I bet you would be appalled.

It is not located for easy access, I want to travel a distance to be FULLY AWAKE.
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So, now you have to travel to retrieve your shotgun (added seconds after you realize that someone or multiple folks have entered your home, from a location that has no easy access to the shotgun?

The sound of a shell dropping into the chamber is very loud, followed by the action racking shut. Remaining round are fed into the mag.
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That is about the worst urban myth floating around, as if someone intent upon doing a forcible takeover of your domicile is going to be massively intimidated by the sound of you racking a round into the chamber, after you have retrieved your shotgun from a less than easily accessible location and fumbling around trying to load five rounds into the magazine from a stock-mounted shell holder.

I'll bet I typed that paragraph out faster than you could implement your scenario. I'm not a proficient typist; more of a skilled hunt and pecker.

I have no kids/grandkids at home. I have a Rem 870 Wingmaster 20" barrel that has the extended 7-shot mag tube loaded, chamber empty, hammer down, safety off at my bedside. Easily racked and ready to use.

Oh, BTW, it has a trigger disconnector so I can't emulate the guys in "The Wild Bunch" movie in case I get out of control. ;)
 
OK, you guys have changed my mind...

I now keep my mossy 500 w. chamber emtpy, safety off. 7 rounds in the mag tube, and 7 more in the side saddle (4 buckshots + 3 slugs).

BTW, I've email mossberg about their recommendations regarding HD 500 pumps having chamber empty v. round chambered (in light of the concerns that the shotgun isn't fully "drop safe"). I've emailed them about 1.5 weeks ago -- still no answer... I guess they don't wanna admit the shotgun isn't drop safe... As I've stated before, if there was a firing pin safety, I'd be more than happy to store w. round chambered. Hopefully, they'll implement modification to their 500 model design to overcome this issue. Firing pin safety doesn't seem like a huge engineering problem to overcome. If glocs can do it, so can mossberg... imho.

Thank you all for participating in this discussion. I value everyone's opinions and thoughts.
 
I doubt they will modify a 50 year old design but you never know.

But if for some odd reason you need more rounds there are mini shells that you can buy. Not sure how well they work with the mossberg but it could double your capacity.
 
ezmiraldo:

Mossberg is not going to give you any recommendations.

This is the day of litigation, for whatever.

IMO, thanks for listening to a few of us.

I think you are on the right track (my track) and just really think about all of the situations you may encounter. Your situation may not be mine. I am very rural. You may not be. Your 911 call may be answered in minutes. Mine might be within 30 minutes. Various situations demand different applications.

Keep your powder dry and be vigilant.
 
AKexpat said:
My 97 is the hd duty firearm...

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Wow... A Win 97 (with no disconnector) for HD and you state the following?



Are you aware of how fast a home invasion can happen? I've seen YouTube vids of guys who can load (using shotshell speedloaders) a pump shotgun magazine in a few seconds, but that's not me and I'll bet it's not you. With the adrenaline pumping and sleep grogginess/confusion, it ain't gonna happen. Have you tried a similar scenario when you are fully awake and timed it? I bet you would be appalled.



So, now you have to travel to retrieve your shotgun (added seconds after you realize that someone or multiple folks have entered your home, from a location that has no easy access to the shotgun?



That is about the worst urban myth floating around, as if someone intent upon doing a forcible takeover of your domicile is going to be massively intimidated by the sound of you racking a round into the chamber, after you have retrieved your shotgun from a less than easily accessible location and fumbling around trying to load five rounds into the magazine from a stock-mounted shell holder.

I'll bet I typed that paragraph out faster than you could implement your scenario. I'm not a proficient typist; more of a skilled hunt and pecker.

I have no kids/grandkids at home. I have a Rem 870 Wingmaster 20" barrel that has the extended 7-shot mag tube loaded, chamber empty, hammer down, safety off at my bedside. Easily racked and ready to use.

Oh, BTW, it has a trigger disconnector so I can't emulate the guys in "The Wild Bunch" movie in case I get out of control. ;)
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Wow youre going to judge someone like this, he didnt ask for you to criticize.
 
It is not located for easy access, I want to travel a distance to be FULLY
AWAKE.
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Finally, someone gets that.

Despite all the fantasies and pipedream of how you must have your shotgun ready to run instantly when you are groggy and not awake, the fact is that if you aren't "awake" enough to operate the very simple mechanism of a pump shotgun, you are NOT awake enough to identify your target, or assess a threat.

And you can count on the helpful local prosecutor to be aware of that fact, as well.

As to storing ammo separately, absolutely. I have way more ammo than will fit in a gun case, or a safe. Remember the operative word is STORAGE.

Not a repel boarders ready rack.

If you are concerned you will die before you can get to your ammo, or need to balance the security of the gun from curious little hands, or what have you, the answer is simple.

Don't be so lazy!

Gun empty, ammo stored, is as safe as safe gets. Your kids, neighbors kids, even the burglar who gets there before you get home, they don't get a loaded gun. Period.

When you get home, load and make ready, and your gun is as instantly available as it gets. Unload and store before leaving. Repeat on return. Sure, it takes a small amount of time, allow for it. You are doing it while wide awake, presumably in full possession of your faculties and fine motor skills. Not groggy waking up in the middle of the night.

Seems to me this simple habit would satisfy both camps.
 
Despite all the fantasies and pipedream of how you must have your shotgun ready to run instantly when you are groggy and not awake, the fact is that if you aren't "awake" enough to operate the very simple mechanism of a pump shotgun, you are NOT awake enough to identify your target, or assess a threat.
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Then it's also a fantasy to think you'll be "awake enough" to get the gun in action before it's too late.


Remember the operative word is STORAGE.
Not a repel boarders ready rack.
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That's ignoring the "HD" component of the OP's question

Round in the chamber or not when storing HD shotgun?
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A gun stored unloaded in another room isn't much of a "HD" resource
 
Cruiser ready pump shotgun - empty gun, close the breech and pull trigger, leave bolt closed and fill magazine tube, safety off. Ready to go with simple pump.
 
Snyper said:
Then it's also a fantasy to think you'll be "awake enough" to get the gun in action before it's too late.



That's ignoring the "HD" component of the OP's question



A gun stored unloaded in another room isn't much of a "HD" resource
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Of course it is. A gun in another room is an HD option. Who are you to judge? Who says he cant get to that room?
 
My answer remains cruiser ready. If that isn't ready enough for your circumstances, the answer is not to create an unsafe condition. Get a handgun, move, or do something other than load the shotgun chamber. Any benefit you may derive from a loaded chamber are far outweighed by the likelihood of serious accidental injury.
 
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A gun in another room is an HD option. Who are you to judge? Who says he cant get to that room?
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True. It kind of depends on a lot of variables. For instance, if at night I am likely in an upstairs BR and hopefully the dog or sounds of a breaking will alert me in time to bring a weapon to bear. If I am downstairs and the front door is suddenly kicked in, keeping a locked and loaded shotgun nest to my bed is not likely to do me any good - even if it were a downstairs BR. I suppose I could walk around the house with an 870 at port arms, but if I thought my neighborhood was so dangerous to warrant such measures I would move out. If I couldn't move out, I would get a handgun with a better drop safety record than shotguns.
 
Dreaming100Straight said:
True. It kind of depends on a lot of variables. For instance, if at night I am likely in an upstairs BR and hopefully the dog or sounds of a breaking will alert me in time to bring a weapon to bear. If I am downstairs and the front door is suddenly kicked in, keeping a locked and loaded shotgun nest to my bed is not likely to do me any good - even if it were a downstairs BR. I suppose I could walk around the house with an 870 at port arms, but if I thought my neighborhood was so dangerous to warrant such measures I would move out. If I couldn't move out, I would get a handgun with a better drop safety record than shotguns.
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Only real option is to be on caffeine pills with a handgun by your side and never sleep. This is the only way some people will feel safe. I will admit i dont live in the safest of neighborhoods but im not going to live my life in fear. Ive had mortars coming in randomly at night before and learned to deal with that anxiety. If someone gets the jump on me back in hometown USA then so be it.
 
Of course it is. A gun in another room is an HD option. Who are you to judge? Who says he cant get to that room?
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Maybe the guy who kicked in the door and has his round already chambered.
We can all manufacture fantasy scenarios to fit our chosen outcome, but when you need to react with only seconds notice, it makes more sense to have your "HD" weapon ready as quickly as possible.

Not everyone wakes up in a stupor as many are implying

Those folks might need more security than just a gun if it takes them two minutes to gain consciousness
 
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