[Erickson]

Does keeping shells in the tube of your pump/auto loader for extended periods of time wear on the spring the way they say keeping pistol/rifle mags can?

I know there is a lot of debate about if keeping mags loaded will or won't wear on the springs and I am not seeking to rehash that entire debate just asking a question that occurred to me earlier today.

[goat roper]

My 870 is fully loaded with 00 buck and standing next to my bed. My PX4 9mm is in the drawer of my nightstand with 18 in it. I would rather have them that way, than to have to ask the intruder if he could wait a couple of minutes, before he attempts to kill me, so I could load them. I will buy new springs if need be. The others around the house are revolvers.

Verne

[texnmidwest]

I don't think you will have any problems with modern shotguns. Modern springs are made of quality materials that don't wear as quickly.

[DFBonnett]

OP,
I read a post on another board, ostensibly by an engineer knowledgeable about springs, that wear on a spring occurs due to repeated compression and relaxation, not constant compression. He also stated that modern springs do not take a "set".
FWIW
YMMV

[BarryHalls]

Best evidence I have seen (which wasn't much) shows that keeping springs loaded (ready) isn't as bad for them as loading and unloading (regular use).

I keep everything full.

[Jim Rau]

I do it a little different. I don't want to take the chance that keeping the spring 'fully' compressed might weaken it so what I do is to keep my guns/mags down loaded about 25% if I want them ready to use but may leave them loaded for long periods of time.
Example, 3 rds in a 4 rd tube shot gun. 5 rds in my 30-30 7 rd mag tube. 12 rds in my 15 rd pistol mags. I avoid the max compression but the guns are still 'ready' if needed.
Hope that helped.