Pump-Action Shotgun Mechanism?

Question

I'm thinking of buying a pump-action 12 gauge for home defense, and was curious about something. I know that loaded revolvers have all springs at rest except when fired, and I was wondering if all parts/springs are at rest in a pump action shotgun when stored loaded (but without a shell chambered) as well?

My side-by-side, for example, has internal hammers. Therefore, the triggers are "******" at all times, except after it has been fired. I store it with snapcaps inside the chambers so that I can pull the triggers and rest the trigger springs.

It is important for me to know that I can leave my firearm loaded and untouched for years if need be, yet still have it function properly at a moment's notice. That is why I wouldn't buy a semi-auto for this purpose...magazine springs and such can and will malfunction (at least on the ones i've owned).

Thanks, y'all.

Answer 1

If you wouldn't own a semi-auto for this reason, then neither should you own a pump. Their magazine designs are the same. You can dry-fire the shotgun on a snap cap or empty chamber to unload the trigger spring, however.
One thing people do to combat magazine spring fatigue is to attach a magazine extension, then partially load it, so as to not fully compress the spring. You may wish to replace your magazine spring periodically. Here is an article on the subject: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guns-Firearms-Projectile-1501/Handgun-Magazine-Spring-Fatigue.htm

Answer 2

Although I don't agree with your theory about loaded springs, a pump gun's internal springs would be at rest if the slide has not been racked.

And that's the best way to store your pump gun: as many rounds as you can fit in the magazine, but with no round chambered. The sound of a racking shotgun will scare off most intruders.

Answer 3

storing the firearm, ready for use, with shells in the mag tube, and the chamber empty is ideal, BUT, with the firearm empty, cycle the slide(make darn sure it really is empty in the chamber and the mag tube) then with it pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger, this releases the spring on the firing pin. Then load the mag tube full up, now the firearm can be stored in a safe place, ready for use and no tension is placed on anything. Just make sure no one else has access to the loaded firearm. Mine rests at bedside at night, and is stored in the gunsafe by day. You are right about the hammerless side by side. That's why I recommend a SxS with true exposed hammers (not the chinese junk) that can be left with the hammers down on half cock and shells in the tubes. That way, no tension is on the springs and all you have to do is cock the hammers to be ready to fire. HOWEVER, again, for safety reasons, do not leave the weapon leaned up against anything, lay it flat on the floor, that way you don't have to worry about it falling over and enertia causing the firing pin to strike the primer. When I used a SxS for home defense, I always left it broken open, with shells in the tubes. All I had to do was pick it up and snap it shut, cock the hammers and it was ready to go.
Shoot safe

Answer 4

I would think, that if you were going to leave the chamber empty, you could dry fire the weapon, before putting ammunition in the magazine.
this goes for all weapons.
rifles, shotguns ( bolt action, pump or semi auto )& handguns.
You do need to clean the weapon occassionaly, as it will collect dust, even in storage.
With todays technology, i don't thing that magazine spring fatigue will be a problem.
I only remove the ammunition from my stored guns, when transporting or cleaning them & in over 40 years of gun ownership, I have NEVER had to replace a magazine spring

Answer 5

The Pump cycles the shells and 'cocks' the gun for use. There are safeties in play but I think you'll just want to have the gun NOT ****** but loaded but NO shells chambered. That way, when you need it, you simply "Pump" it and you're ready to go.

Suggest some practice to get the hang so you don't freeze up or eject it when you need it most.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pump-action

Answer 6

The only thing stronger is the recoil. By design the semi auto redistributes the pressure to operate the action, therefore felt recoil is marginally less. The pump action offers very little direction for the gas to go but forward, therefore the recoil is greater. Neither is better than the other, and in the right hands, both are equally effective.