Right now I am storing my pump and semi 12 guages by chamber loading a snap cap, closing the action and pulling the trigger. Is this the ideal way to do it? I dont have any 20ga snap caps yet, so my SXS is just with a closed action and I think its still cocked ( havent dry fired it). Would I be better off dry firing it and leave it stored uncocked?
Best way to store shotguns?
- Thread starter cote_b
- Start date
manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
IMO if you have an expensive double, then by all means get snap caps and baby your gun. if you dont have snap caps you can make them from empty hulls: pull the primer, and fill the primer pocket with polyurethane. let it dry. trim it flush.
pumps are a different story: there are 870s and mossberg 500s out there that have been dry-fired thousands of times, and stored for years while cocked, and never have any problems.
on your run of the mill pump - worst case, a replacement firing pin is $15. springs are a couple bucks.
there are 870s that have been in use and abused by mil/LE since the 50s and 60s and are still going strong, i doubt storing them in your cabinet is going to hurt them regardless of how you do it.
pumps are a different story: there are 870s and mossberg 500s out there that have been dry-fired thousands of times, and stored for years while cocked, and never have any problems.
on your run of the mill pump - worst case, a replacement firing pin is $15. springs are a couple bucks.
there are 870s that have been in use and abused by mil/LE since the 50s and 60s and are still going strong, i doubt storing them in your cabinet is going to hurt them regardless of how you do it.
Yeah my shotguns arent exactly expensive. My pump is a Mossberg 500, my double is a Stoeger Uplander and my semi is an old Remington Sportsman 58. I think your right though. I shouldnt have to worry too much about these shotguns, since they are relatively inexpensive and fairly durable.
store one in your trunk
boy are you wrong , but DEAD wrong- leaving a gun, any gun, in your trunk is worse than leaving it outside- you get rust, , temperature extremes, dust and dirt, etc- one sure way to need a re-finish at least over a season or 2- even leaving cased in your trunk is NOT a good idea-
- Location
- London, Ontario
You can give them to me.....I will make sure they are stored properly
- Location
- Scarborough, ON
How do I store my (pump) shotguns? Unloaded. Other than that, who cares?
Don't dry fire your sxs. You don't need snap caps to drop the hammers however. The objective is to cushion the hammers so take off the barrels and place a piece of wood or plastic against the breach face and pull the triggers. Reassemble the gun and put it away.
I'd also strongly advise against making snap caps out of old hulls. It's a really bad practice for a couple of reasons. If you can afford shells you can afford a proper set of snap caps.
I'd also strongly advise against making snap caps out of old hulls. It's a really bad practice for a couple of reasons. If you can afford shells you can afford a proper set of snap caps.
If it is a LC Smith or Baker with a three position safety ,you can put the safety on the back skeet lever and hold both triggers while closing the action and it will de-#### without fireing.
On my other shot guns I just put a long piece of dowell rod in the barrel and fire (I allways use this to see if my newer guns can fire) no since for a range trip!
A pencil in the barrell of a 1911 will do the same!
Bob
On my other shot guns I just put a long piece of dowell rod in the barrel and fire (I allways use this to see if my newer guns can fire) no since for a range trip!
A pencil in the barrell of a 1911 will do the same!
Bob
all military 870s are stored with the hammers #### and I have never had a weak sear spring. You guys are thinking to much 
