Storing Shotguns Cocked?

[zulu5]

Does anyone know if it's okay to keep my Remington 870 cocked (unloaded) while in storage? Or should I leave the action open while stored? Does anything get damaged if the 870 is left cocked?

Thanks,

zulu5

 

[7.62mm]

If the action is open, on an 870.....it is "cocked".

There is no problem storing a firearm in this condition......springs wear out from use, or cycling, not by being continually compressed.

 

[Ganderite]

Why not close the action (keep dust out) and pull the trigger??

I bet that is what most of us do.

 

[rdgietz]

I agree with Ganderite!.. close the action and pull the trigger.. I have always stored all my guns that way... Have only included a snap cap for my 22 cal pistols and rifles..

RDG

 

[curtmg]

When I'm not using my guns, I take all the springs out, and keep them in a velvet lined box, and store the box on a goose down pillow.

Or, I do what Ganderite said, that is, if I bother to remember, it's not my biggest concern.

 

[rifleman1]

Yeah, I just stick a fired hull into the chamber, close the action, and pull the trigger. Just get a trigger lock if you don't want to use a cable lock that requires the action to be open.

 

[sherlockbonez]

870? I just throw it into the corner of the safe.

 

[JustBen]

Usually leave it open... probably not the best thing to do.

 

[Wildbore]

I like to leave it open.

It allows air to flow through the barrel and action, preventing rust.

 

[rifleman1]

Unless the air has lots of moisture in it and causes more rusting...

 

[Rutger]

I used to leave my actions open, until I found out the Underpants Gnomes were making homes inside there...

 

[zulu5]

I used to just leave it closed without pulling the trigger. Then I heard that storing like that was bad for the hammer. I think storing it closed and pulling the trigger is the best compromise.

Thanks

 

[Dime]

Those underpants gnomes mean buisness

 

[apu]

Unless the air has lots of moisture in it and causes more rusting...

It's for this reason I only use air that is 78% nitrogen by volume, if it's good for tires it's great for guns.

 

[nelly]

At work, we leave ours action open in the storage racks... Most of them get loaded for a shift on the road, then unloaded and left open on the rack at the end of the day.

They also usually don't get any maintenance for a decade or so...

 

[manbearpig]

I used to just leave it closed without pulling the trigger. Then I heard that storing like that was bad for the hammer.

dont believe everything you hear.
i have an 870 Wingmaster from the 60s that is still all-factory parts and is working flawlessly. it was always stored with the hammer cocked and action closed - the man who owned it didnt even know what a snap cap was.

springs do not fatigue from being stored in a compressed state - they fatigue from use, overcompression/flexion, heat, etc.

even if it did after many years of such storage, a replacement spring is $5 and not something to worry about. im surprised the pump-action anti-dryfire camp hasnt jumped all over you guys for dryfiring them