Keep my shotgun loaded?

Question

I just wanted to know if there was any real danger in keeping my shotgun loaded. Of course there's not a shell in the chamber, but I've got 5 shells in there in case I need it. There any reason not to keep it loaded? I keep it on safety, and in a unlocked guncase under my bed for quick access. I have nobody else living with me, only myself.

I don't know if this is common practice or not, but like I've stated before I live in a very bad part of town, and break ins are common. I want to be able to get to my shotgun in case I need it as quick as possible.

Thanks for any advice.

By danger I mean damage to my shotgun over time. Also, I just wanted to know if this was common practice or was looked down upon. Like I said, it is only me in the house, no kids or other people.

Just wanted to sum up my questions a bit. =)

Answer 1

As long as you don't have a shell "chambered" you will be fine. Keeping the magazine loaded won't hurt anything but it could result in your magazine spring losing it's "memory" (The springs flex and ability to fully expand over time, and maintaining pressure to feed the shells into the chamber.)
This could take years to be an issue.

I myself,keep a Remington 870 Pump 12 Gauge with an extended magazine tube fully loaded in my bedroom and have done so for 15 years without a problem. Having it unloaded serves no purpose unless there are children around..

Answer 2

Empty chamber, full magazine is common police practice- cruiser carry. No shell under firing pin is safe. The only problem is if you cycle action and forget to empty chamber before you put it away-this is the classic 'didn't know it was loaded' accident. If you have some kind of loading indicator- as extractor sticks out a bit when shell is chambered - you can see if loaded or no. Another common technique observed on some ranges is open action- just pump back or lock back bolt on self loaders- you can see if chamber empty and others can also see it is not quite ready to fire. Don't jolt it though.

Answer 3

If you live by yourself keep it loaded, you dont have any kids to mess around with it..... If I lived in a bad neighborhood with breakins I would keep that shotgun loaded and on the ground next to my bed at night..... on safe..... dont take any chances.....

Answer 4

The very worst thing that could happen to the gun itself is the hammer spring could take a set. I've heard that can happen in somewhere around 800 to 1000 years.

Keep it loaded but be advised an unsecured loaded weapon in the wrong hands can be considered your fault in a court of law. I'm not talking about the bad guy getting it, but if you are out and a couple of kids break in and one shoots the other it could be ruled a homicide with you in the defendants chair.

I know, screwy as can be but with the liberal courts it is NEVER the criminal's fault, it's always something or someone else.

Answer 5

"First question is, is it bad to keep the tube loaded with a full five shells?" No. Springs wear out by the change due to compression AND decompression. Leaving a spring in one state or the other over a period of time will not accelerate the wear. "Second is how long should you keep the same five shells in it before replacing them?" Depends on your home environment. Moisture is the most severe detriment to any ammunition including shotgun shells. If your shotgun is stored in a relatively low or none humidity conditions, then you should be find for years, BUT this does NOT mean you should not do regular maintenance on the shotgun. Since this is a critical equipment for home defense, it is only prudent to check the gun at least twice a year for rust and to remove old oil which can attract dust and re-lubricate it. Also, you need to be certain that the action is has not bind due to improper maintenance or use of inferior lubricants from the last time you cleaned it. "And last I have heard that shells can fire if the shotgun is dropped..is that only if there is one in the chamber? Or is this more of a myth that isn't even really possible." Regardless of the safety, the Golden Rules of firearm safety still applies and that means you should always handle any firearm with fail safe in mind. This means it is best to not completely rely on the safety, so the answer is that it while the chance of a shotgun with a shell in the chamber going off if drop is near zero, it is just a good practice to not roll the dice by dropping the gun. As for shells going off in the magazine tube, I've never heard of this BUT what i stated before still applies - just don't roll that dice.

Answer 6

You can keep the shotgun in this mode with relative safety and it is ready for action.

Answer 7

as long as there is nothing in the chamber, and you change out the bullets every few months, you should be good.
there is a danger of the bullets getting deformed and stuck
in the chamber if they just sit there long enough, especially if it gets real hot. so change them out every once in a while, and you should be good to go.

Answer 8

many people keep weapons loaded close to them its not uncommon and as long as you keep the gun clean and oiled you shouldnt have a problem with any gun damage you may also not want to keep anything on the gun case or have anything pushed against it.

Answer 9

I don't own an unloaded gun. Whats the point ? EXCUSE ME mister robber I need to load my gun.......damn, to late he shot me. Get the point ? Keep it loaded.

Answer 10

Absolutely ridiculous idea, my uncle accidentally killed his twin brother when they were playing as kids, kids will find anything. Yes I do own a gun