mossberg 500 for HD storage: round chambered or not -- part 2

ezmiraldo · May 31, 2015, 02:13 PM

Hey folks! Just received an email from mossberg customer service on this. I think it would be useful to share it with everyone. Here it is:

-----------------------------------

Thank you for your email we do perform a drop test here at our manufacturing facility also we do not recommend storing it with a round in the chamber for safety reason and it can also effect the tension in the spring if you have any question please call our service center at 1-800-363-3555 Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm central dial 2 .

-----Original Message-----
From: Mossberg
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 8:41 PM
To: Service
Subject: Form submission from: Contact Us
Submitted on Mon, 04/20/2015 - 9:40pm
Subject: I have a question about a product, part or service
Message:
Hi there! I own Mossberg 500 for HD (and love this shotgun). I have a question about storing the firearm. I currently store it with safety on, chamber empty, mag tube full. However, I would prefer to store it with a round in the chamber. The reasons for it are: working the pump is a target indicator, loss of dexterity during HD situation might induce user error when having to press slide release button and work the pump, it gives me one extra round inside the shotgun, weapon is brought into action faster.

However, I have heard that Mossberg 500 isn't "drop safe" and can fire if dropped with a round in the chamber. How do you recommend storing it: Round in the chamber, safety on; or, chamber empty, safety on? Or, some other method? What would happen if the shotgun falls when it has a round in the chamber?

Dragline45 · May 31, 2015, 02:30 PM

Just gotta wonder, if you currently store your Mossberg unloaded what's the point of having the saftey engaged?

Personally I don't store my Mossberg loaded, while they may do drop tests at the factory I have been told my too many credible sources that they aren't entirely drop safe.

Targa · May 31, 2015, 04:56 PM

My Thunder Ranch is cruiser ready. With the magazine empty I rack the the slide, trip the trigger, place on fire and then load the magazine. If you need it, all you need to do is rack the slide.

ezmiraldo · May 31, 2015, 05:40 PM

Does anyone know what the mossberg rep means when he talks about "tension in the spring" increasing when one stores shotgun w. a round in the chamber?

Bill DeShivs · May 31, 2015, 08:02 PM

"Does anyone know what the mossberg rep means when he talks about "tension in the spring" increasing when one stores shotgun w. a round in the chamber?"

No, and neither does the Mossberg rep.

Sharkbite · May 31, 2015, 09:33 PM

I would guess he is talking about the hammer spring being under tension.

That being an issue is up for debate

Slopemeno · June 1, 2015, 03:40 PM

I left an 8-shot Mossberg 500 loaded for about 30 years. Yes, the mag spring is not as strong as it once was. Still functions though.

FITASC · June 1, 2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Just gotta wonder, if you currently store your Mossberg unloaded what's the point of having the saftey engaged?

exactly

I have never used a safety - either the gun is loaded and ready to go, or the action is open and safe

mukjp22m · June 2, 2015, 12:36 PM

That's an odd response from Mossberg. The chambered round does nothing to spring tension unless the person normally dry fires the gun to release the hammer tension. In my experience, it seems very few people give any thought to that and almost everyone fails to decock (dry fire) their guns before storing them. I have a friend who regularly fired a cheapo New England Arms Pump for 15 years without ever even cleaning it, and without even the thought of decocking it. Still works fine, though it is hideously filthy inside.

Mechanically, I wouldn't give it any thought. But as for the concept of keeping it with a chambered round, that sounds a bit excessive. Unless you have some kind of imminent threat, I would weigh the dangers of keeping a gun in the house like that higher than the benefits of saving a split second of time and the extra noise from chambering a round.

Snyper · June 2, 2015, 01:18 PM

No manufacturer is going to tell you to store a loaded firearm simply due to possible liability issues.

They also will tell you not to use reloaded ammo

Store it the way you prefer, just like millions of others do

bangerjim · June 3, 2015, 02:55 PM

Un-chambered!!!!

The "Cha-Chick" sound of loading a round is VERY intimidating to anyone downsteam of the barrel. And it only takes less than 0.5 seconds to cycle it!

Safety......we don't need no stinkin' safety!

FITASC · June 3, 2015, 04:25 PM

Quote:

The "Cha-Chick" sound of loading a round is VERY intimidating

That is/has been debatable as it also gives away your position. I sure wouldn't count on that.

Kephas78 · September 6, 2015, 09:22 PM

If I was keeping it in my vehicle I would keep it "cruiser ready". However for home defense there are other considerations. You don't want to rack the slide to give away your presence. It's really hard to quietly work the action, while under stress, and not accidentally short stroke. You don't want to take the time to chamber and aim after you encounter a home invader. Sure it's only a quarter second to chamber but then you have to reaim too(or risk a bad shot) and that time could be the difference between life and death. For home defense I want that +1. That extra round could save a life. If you are going to assume(for safety sake) that a gun is always loaded... it might as well be loaded. Never use anything less than #4 Buck for home defense... EVER, and it's much much preferred to use #1 Buck or greater. If you want non lethal options, either get a dog, or a bunch of those roach/tear gas bombs. Never intentionally directly encounter an invader, unless you are prepared to use lethal force. Check your home defense weapons at least twice per year(I make a point to check all mine when I check my smoke alarms).

SARuger · September 6, 2015, 11:37 PM

My Mav 88 20g is stored loaded in my SoloVault, ready to defend.

kobes31 · September 7, 2015, 07:26 PM

Noob question here, do shotguns inherently have issues with drop safety or is this isolated to the 500? I see a lot in regards to drop tests in pistol reviews but not so much long guns that I can recall.

FITASC · September 8, 2015, 11:38 AM

Many long guns can have that issues, not just shotguns.

May 31, 2015, 08:02 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,987	"Does anyone know what the mossberg rep means when he talks about "tension in the spring" increasing when one stores shotgun w. a round in the chamber?" No, and neither does the Mossberg rep. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

June 2, 2015, 01:18 PM	#10
Snyper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 3,047	No manufacturer is going to tell you to store a loaded firearm simply due to possible liability issues. They also will tell you not to use reloaded ammo Store it the way you prefer, just like millions of others do __________________ One shot, one kill

September 8, 2015, 11:38 AM	#16
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Many long guns can have that issues, not just shotguns. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

May 31, 2015, 02:13 PM	#1
ezmiraldo Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2013 Location: one of the un-free states Posts: 240	mossberg 500 for HD storage: round chambered or not -- part 2 Hey folks! Just received an email from mossberg customer service on this. I think it would be useful to share it with everyone. Here it is: ----------------------------------- Thank you for your email we do perform a drop test here at our manufacturing facility also we do not recommend storing it with a round in the chamber for safety reason and it can also effect the tension in the spring if you have any question please call our service center at 1-800-363-3555 Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm central dial 2 . -----Original Message----- From: Mossberg Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 8:41 PM To: Service Subject: Form submission from: Contact Us Submitted on Mon, 04/20/2015 - 9:40pm Subject: I have a question about a product, part or service Message: Hi there! I own Mossberg 500 for HD (and love this shotgun). I have a question about storing the firearm. I currently store it with safety on, chamber empty, mag tube full. However, I would prefer to store it with a round in the chamber. The reasons for it are: working the pump is a target indicator, loss of dexterity during HD situation might induce user error when having to press slide release button and work the pump, it gives me one extra round inside the shotgun, weapon is brought into action faster. However, I have heard that Mossberg 500 isn't "drop safe" and can fire if dropped with a round in the chamber. How do you recommend storing it: Round in the chamber, safety on; or, chamber empty, safety on? Or, some other method? What would happen if the shotgun falls when it has a round in the chamber? __________________ When Darth Vader killed the younglings, did anyone blame the lightsaber???

May 31, 2015, 02:30 PM	#2
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	Just gotta wonder, if you currently store your Mossberg unloaded what's the point of having the saftey engaged? Personally I don't store my Mossberg loaded, while they may do drop tests at the factory I have been told my too many credible sources that they aren't entirely drop safe.

May 31, 2015, 04:56 PM	#3
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	My Thunder Ranch is cruiser ready. With the magazine empty I rack the the slide, trip the trigger, place on fire and then load the magazine. If you need it, all you need to do is rack the slide.

May 31, 2015, 05:40 PM	#4
ezmiraldo Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2013 Location: one of the un-free states Posts: 240	Does anyone know what the mossberg rep means when he talks about "tension in the spring" increasing when one stores shotgun w. a round in the chamber? __________________ When Darth Vader killed the younglings, did anyone blame the lightsaber???

May 31, 2015, 09:33 PM	#6
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	I would guess he is talking about the hammer spring being under tension. That being an issue is up for debate

June 1, 2015, 03:40 PM	#7
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	I left an 8-shot Mossberg 500 loaded for about 30 years. Yes, the mag spring is not as strong as it once was. Still functions though.

June 2, 2015, 12:36 PM	#9
mukjp22m Member Join Date: October 3, 2013 Posts: 44	That's an odd response from Mossberg. The chambered round does nothing to spring tension unless the person normally dry fires the gun to release the hammer tension. In my experience, it seems very few people give any thought to that and almost everyone fails to decock (dry fire) their guns before storing them. I have a friend who regularly fired a cheapo New England Arms Pump for 15 years without ever even cleaning it, and without even the thought of decocking it. Still works fine, though it is hideously filthy inside. Mechanically, I wouldn't give it any thought. But as for the concept of keeping it with a chambered round, that sounds a bit excessive. Unless you have some kind of imminent threat, I would weigh the dangers of keeping a gun in the house like that higher than the benefits of saving a split second of time and the extra noise from chambering a round.

June 3, 2015, 02:55 PM	#11
bangerjim Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Location: SW Desert Posts: 57	Un-chambered!!!! The "Cha-Chick" sound of loading a round is VERY intimidating to anyone downsteam of the barrel. And it only takes less than 0.5 seconds to cycle it! Safety......we don't need no stinkin' safety!

September 6, 2015, 09:22 PM	#13
Kephas78 Junior Member Join Date: September 6, 2015 Posts: 8	If I was keeping it in my vehicle I would keep it "cruiser ready". However for home defense there are other considerations. You don't want to rack the slide to give away your presence. It's really hard to quietly work the action, while under stress, and not accidentally short stroke. You don't want to take the time to chamber and aim after you encounter a home invader. Sure it's only a quarter second to chamber but then you have to reaim too(or risk a bad shot) and that time could be the difference between life and death. For home defense I want that +1. That extra round could save a life. If you are going to assume(for safety sake) that a gun is always loaded... it might as well be loaded. Never use anything less than #4 Buck for home defense... EVER, and it's much much preferred to use #1 Buck or greater. If you want non lethal options, either get a dog, or a bunch of those roach/tear gas bombs. Never intentionally directly encounter an invader, unless you are prepared to use lethal force. Check your home defense weapons at least twice per year(I make a point to check all mine when I check my smoke alarms).

September 6, 2015, 11:37 PM	#14
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	My Mav 88 20g is stored loaded in my SoloVault, ready to defend.

September 7, 2015, 07:26 PM	#15
kobes31 Member Join Date: December 19, 2011 Posts: 18	Noob question here, do shotguns inherently have issues with drop safety or is this isolated to the 500? I see a lot in regards to drop tests in pistol reviews but not so much long guns that I can recall.