Keeping a shotgun fully loaded

[BerettaFox]

So, I have a couple of shotguns... 870 express 20 ga, and a mossberg 500a. The factory springs are very strong in my 870 express, therefore I keep it fully loaded. However, the spring in my 500a seems pretty weak. Would it be a better idea to keep it loaded with 4 shells in the tube rather than five?

[oneounceload]

Springs weaken by "work", not by being kept in a state of compression

[NoSecondBest]

Springs weaken by "work", not by being kept in a state of compression
Listen to oneounceload, he knows what he's talking about. I have a friend who works in a factory that makes springs and he told me the same thing. Right on!

[Lee Lapin]

Shotgun magazine springs are relatively inexpensive and usually pretty easy to change out (possibly less so on Mossberg 500s than other more... co-operative... designs). No reason not to get a few new ones and put one in as needed...

lpl

[zippy13]

I surfed their site last night before ordering some pistol springs, check out Wolff Gunsprings (http://www.gunsprings.com/faq) FAQ's for some basic spring info. They have extra power mag tube springs for $8.59. Consider replacing the hammer and firing pin springs at the same time.