Stroring a Loaded Pump

Redd · 02-09-2009, 10:10 PM

Hello all, my first post. Glad to find this forum.
I've had a 12ga side by side for years, but just got my first pump. I bought a Mossberg 500 Special Purpose 12ga 8 shot. My question is can it be stored loaded for any amount of time or will that cause any harm or wear to the magazine spring?
Thanks,
Redd

LiveToShoot · 02-09-2009, 10:23 PM

Welcome to G&G...

...and, I haven't had any problems with the magazine springs from storing my shotguns loaded.

I look forward to reading replies from others on this subject...

SmallGame2100 · 02-09-2009, 10:54 PM

From what I read on a few forums from at least 20 different people, storing it loaded is fine.

tappedandtagged · 02-10-2009, 02:11 AM

I store my loaded. Worst I can see, you may have to replace the spring after about 50-60 years, and even then I doubt you'll have to do that then.

egon · 02-10-2009, 02:23 AM

the firing pin spring isn't fully compressed when loaded and cocked, so it shouldn't be an issue. You can always pick up an extra spring and change it every 10 years.. ( Mossberg | Numrich Gun Parts Corp. | e-GunParts.com )

remchuck · 02-10-2009, 02:26 AM

the mag spring probably has a longer life span than you do.just an assumption as my springs have never worn out,and i still live..

Dakoma · 02-10-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

Hello all, my first post. Glad to find this forum.
I've had a 12ga side by side for years, but just got my first pump. I bought a Mossberg 500 Special Purpose 12ga 8 shot. My question is can it be stored loaded for any amount of time or will that cause any harm or wear to the magazine spring?
Thanks,
Redd

You wont hurt it storing it loaded.The double 12 if it is hammerless (internal hammers) is another story.

samuel · 02-10-2009, 03:02 AM

I once dealt for an old Mossburg .22lr that had hung in a barn for over 10yrs loaded.When I disassembled it and cleaned everything I worked on a lot of parts to get it to function.The mag spring was the one thing I never had to touch.But the ammo was unsalvigable. sam.

Redd · 02-10-2009, 12:53 PM

Thanks fellas, much appreciated.
The side by side is an old Rossi Coach Style W/Hammers. Picked up bout 39 yrs ago. Ain't age wonderful.

BaserRonin · 02-10-2009, 01:29 PM

excellent question. I have wondered the same thing. I went ahead and ordered replacement springs when I found them just in case, but it sounds like I won't be needing them.

Uncle Red · 02-11-2009, 10:12 AM

I have had an M500 since ‘87 IIRC. And with very little down time, it has been loaded for about 20 years with no adverse affects to the mag spring. I do unload and clean it AT LEAST once a month and check it for function. I do think it prudent to have a replacement mag spring just in case. I would not worry about the mag spring and keep it in whatever condition you think prudent according to your situation and defensive needs.

-UR

Benwa1962 · 06-21-2009, 08:53 PM

There should be no problem, but just to be safe I load my 500 one round short and my 590 2 rounds short. I have been given this advise from a NRA Tactical Shotgun instructor. I have spare springs in my weapons kits just in case though.

The best wat to store your loaded pump is in Cruiser Ready Condition. Safety ON, Chamber EMPTY, Action is CLOSED AND UNLOCKED (bolt forward and trigger pulled to drop the hammer) and Magazine Tube Full.

That way all you have to do to is pick it up, rack the slide (it is unlocked), safety off and fire.

Hope that helped

Powderman · 06-22-2009, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benwa1962

There should be no problem, but just to be safe I load my 500 one round short and my 590 2 rounds short. I have been given this advise from a NRA Tactical Shotgun instructor. I have spare springs in my weapons kits just in case though.

The best wat to store your loaded pump is in Cruiser Ready Condition. Safety ON, Chamber EMPTY, Action is CLOSED AND UNLOCKED (bolt forward and trigger pulled to drop the hammer) and Magazine Tube Full.

That way all you have to do to is pick it up, rack the slide (it is unlocked), safety off and fire.

Hope that helped

Yip, yip.

We call that "cruiser ready"; any patrol unit that has a shotgun will be stored in the car that way. Same with the patrol rifle/carbine--we still call it cruiser ready, but it's perhaps better known as "Condition Two"--weapon cocked and on safe, loaded magazine inserted, chamber empty. If the rifle comes out, the charging handle is pulled and released immediately to chamber a round.

cremley · 06-22-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benwa1962

There should be no problem, but just to be safe I load my 500 one round short and my 590 2 rounds short. I have been given this advise from a NRA Tactical Shotgun instructor. I have spare springs in my weapons kits just in case though.

The best wat to store your loaded pump is in Cruiser Ready Condition. Safety ON, Chamber EMPTY, Action is CLOSED AND UNLOCKED (bolt forward and trigger pulled to drop the hammer) and Magazine Tube Full.

That way all you have to do to is pick it up, rack the slide (it is unlocked), safety off and fire.

Hope that helped

That is how I keep mine.

thrillbilly · 06-27-2009, 03:41 AM

My mossberg has been "Cruiser Loaded" for most of 15 years with no adverse effects. The only time it's unloaded is right after I empty it at danged skeet.

sea_chicken1 · 10-04-2009, 11:13 PM

I have kep the tube loaded on mine for 2 years now and it still functions fine.

02-09-2009, 10:10 PM	#1
Redd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 3	Stroring a Loaded Pump Hello all, my first post. Glad to find this forum. I've had a 12ga side by side for years, but just got my first pump. I bought a Mossberg 500 Special Purpose 12ga 8 shot. My question is can it be stored loaded for any amount of time or will that cause any harm or wear to the magazine spring? Thanks, Redd

02-09-2009, 10:23 PM	#2
LiveToShoot 28 Principles of Liberty Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SE IDAHO Posts: 4,805	Welcome to G&G... ...and, I haven't had any problems with the magazine springs from storing my shotguns loaded. I look forward to reading replies from others on this subject... __________________ "Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown

02-10-2009, 01:29 PM	#10
BaserRonin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CO Posts: 1,139	excellent question. I have wondered the same thing. I went ahead and ordered replacement springs when I found them just in case, but it sounds like I won't be needing them. __________________ "It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism" ~ R. W. Inge

02-11-2009, 10:12 AM	#11
Uncle Red Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 630	I have had an M500 since ‘87 IIRC. And with very little down time, it has been loaded for about 20 years with no adverse affects to the mag spring. I do unload and clean it AT LEAST once a month and check it for function. I do think it prudent to have a replacement mag spring just in case. I would not worry about the mag spring and keep it in whatever condition you think prudent according to your situation and defensive needs. -UR __________________ "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed"--Amendment II, Bill of Rights "He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."--Thomas Paine "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." - Jesus, Luke 22:36

06-27-2009, 03:41 AM	#15
thrillbilly Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ozark Hill Country Posts: 2,611	My mossberg has been "Cruiser Loaded" for most of 15 years with no adverse effects. The only time it's unloaded is right after I empty it at danged skeet. __________________ *" I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on."* John Wayne

02-09-2009, 10:54 PM	#3
SmallGame2100 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York Posts: 481 Images: 1 Blog Entries: 1	From what I read on a few forums from at least 20 different people, storing it loaded is fine.

02-10-2009, 02:11 AM	#4
tappedandtagged Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southwest Arkansas Posts: 840 Blog Entries: 1	I store my loaded. Worst I can see, you may have to replace the spring after about 50-60 years, and even then I doubt you'll have to do that then.

02-10-2009, 02:23 AM	#5
egon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: My heart is in Minnesota Posts: 132	the firing pin spring isn't fully compressed when loaded and cocked, so it shouldn't be an issue. You can always pick up an extra spring and change it every 10 years.. ( Mossberg \| Numrich Gun Parts Corp. \| e-GunParts.com )

02-10-2009, 02:26 AM	#6
remchuck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nashville Posts: 348 Blog Entries: 1	the mag spring probably has a longer life span than you do.just an assumption as my springs have never worn out,and i still live..

02-10-2009, 03:02 AM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10,914	I once dealt for an old Mossburg .22lr that had hung in a barn for over 10yrs loaded.When I disassembled it and cleaned everything I worked on a lot of parts to get it to function.The mag spring was the one thing I never had to touch.But the ammo was unsalvigable. sam.

02-10-2009, 12:53 PM	#9
Redd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 3	Thanks fellas, much appreciated. The side by side is an old Rossi Coach Style W/Hammers. Picked up bout 39 yrs ago. Ain't age wonderful.

06-21-2009, 08:53 PM	#12
Benwa1962 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3	There should be no problem, but just to be safe I load my 500 one round short and my 590 2 rounds short. I have been given this advise from a NRA Tactical Shotgun instructor. I have spare springs in my weapons kits just in case though. The best wat to store your loaded pump is in Cruiser Ready Condition. Safety ON, Chamber EMPTY, Action is CLOSED AND UNLOCKED (bolt forward and trigger pulled to drop the hammer) and Magazine Tube Full. That way all you have to do to is pick it up, rack the slide (it is unlocked), safety off and fire. Hope that helped

10-04-2009, 11:13 PM	#16
sea_chicken1 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everett WA. and Norfolk VA. Posts: 1,017	I have kep the tube loaded on mine for 2 years now and it still functions fine.