Hammer down on a live shell doesn't strike me as a safe way to do things.
Are you trying to reduce the noise if you should need to use the shotgun in an emergency at some point in the future?
.... In an emergency do you think you'll have the presence of mind to just softly pull back the fore end just enough to cock and no more, or do you think you'll give the fore end a good, solid pull to make sure it's cocked and the shell is loaded? Which scenario makes more sense in an emergency situation?
... If it's not an emergency, does it really matter then if you can or cannot quietly rack the shotgun?
I'd listen to the experienced guys on here that recommend leaving the chamber empty. Safety on or off depends on your point of view about those things, I usually go with safety off for unloaded weapons just to reduce the number of things to be manipulated.
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