Just acquired a Mossberg 930 for home defense. Is it ok to keep it locked and loaded for extended periods of time (months/years) without weakening the firing pin &\\; tube \\;springs?
Yes it will weaken the spring. \\; If I wanted to keep it loaded I would put in in the chamber and put the rest on the butt of the gun with one of the the shell holders that fit on the butt. \\; Honestly for me I keep my gun empty because I can load it fast and cracking the first shell in it will scare the devil out of most intruders. \\; Unless you are expecting immediate trouble this is what I would do. \\;
I understand your theory, and that's all well and good if you are aware of trouble comming down as it happens. I'm thinking (worst case scenerio) \\;along the lines of being in bed in \\;a dead sleep when the door gets kicked in\\; at my age the reaction time can be many seconds, \\;and I wouldn't want to count on being able to load up before I respond.
If I keep it at the ready, how often do you suppose I should have those springs replaced?
I understand your theory, and that's all well and good if you are aware of trouble comming down as it happens. I'm thinking (worst case scenerio) \\;\\\\\\;along the lines of being in bed in \\;\\\\\\;a dead sleep when the door gets kicked in\\\\\\; at my age the reaction time can be many seconds, \\;\\\\\\;and I wouldn't want to count on being able to load up before I respond.
If I keep it at the ready, how often do you suppose I should have those springs replaced?
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Thats a trick question from my experience. \\; I personally am not aware of a exact or close general life span for the spring. \\; I would just buy a few and test my weapon every month after six months and have the spring on stand by if I needed to replace it. \\; Springs that I have experienced even though they go in the same gun are not all equal. \\; Some will last longer than others from my experience. \\; Sorry I can not give a better answer. \\; Maximum life space I can guess would be 3 years but thats only a guess.
Agreed. \\;\\\\\\;Very noticeable sound, that of a shotgun being loaded for action. It usually gets your attention real quick.
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Last guy that kicked in my door to rob me was really impressed with the racking of my pump shot gun. \\; He left really fast and didnt return. \\;
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He kicked in the door with me standing near it, I went straight for the shock gun racked it, and then I went out to greet him. \\; Only thing I saw was him running at that point. \\; Racking does send shivers down a thiefs spine even if he has a pistol. \\; I can testify to that.
I can’t see waiting to chamber a round until an intruder is kicking in the door or already in the house. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; If they are in the house, the sound of chambering a round only gives away your position. I agree that the sound of a weapon being cycled may scare them away but, if they are certain that the house contains firearms then there is a good chance that they will keep the house under surveillance and return later when no one is home and take them. On the street the only thing that sells better than firearms is drugs. I would really prefer not to be forced to shoot someone. However, if they force their way into the house I can only operate under the assumption that they are willing to do harm to my family. Therefore I will not attempt to scare them off\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; I will deal with them in a manor that will definitely preclude their ability to return later.  \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
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Keep your powder dry.
Arcane
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Actually that gun myth has been pretty much been disproven.... Springs under tension are A-OK. It is when you load and unload every day , then they start to weaken.
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"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson
1: \\; Springs are good for many many years under compression. \\; I would load the shotgun, put the safety on and not worry about it.
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2: \\; Shotshell ammo powder can and will deteriorate under some conditions. \\; Change out all the shotshell ammo once a year. \\; Go to the range and shoot it up\\; load with new.
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3: \\; The sound of racking a shotgun is very distinctive IF you are not under "Tache Psyche" condition. \\; I would venture a guess that most bad guys are well into "Tache Psyche" as they are making entry to your home. \\; One of the phenomenas of "Tache Psyche" is that the ability to hear and recognize what one is hearing pretty much goes away. \\; So the bad guy in that condition is NOT able to either hear the racking of the shotgun or won't recognize the sound for what it represents. \\; I for one don't want the bad guy to know my position, my presence or how I \\;am armed until I want him too. \\; ........... \\; BC
Shotgun question
