Home Defense Pump 12-- Loaded or Unloaded?

[R.E.Lee]

Im currently deciding on a 12gauge to use for HD in my new apartment. I already have an XD9 that I carry daily and which will be in the nightstand loaded with 16+1.

Also in the Apartment will be my Beretta 12gauge trap gun, though because the barrel is so long, I dont think it would make the best HD shotgun.

This brings me to the thread title. Do you all who own pump shotguns for HD leave them fully loaded (1 in chamber, and magazine full) or do you leave the chamber empty with the magazine full?

The only reason I ask is that I think the pumping sound generated by a pump gun has got to be the most spine-tingling noise a robber could hear. Therefore, I almost think it would be a better preventative measure to allow an intruder to be able to hear the action while chambering a round (leave the chamber open, until necessary).

Your thoughts?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Natureboypkr]

loaded of course, like someone posted on here in another thread, "an uncocked firearm is like an expensive paper weight"

[Pete Zaria]

I think the pumping sound generated by a pump gun has got to be the most spine-tingling noise a robber could hear. Therefore, I almost think it would be a better preventative measure to allow an intruder to be able to hear the action while chambering a round (leave the chamber open, until necessary).

Your thoughts?

I think there are situations in which you don't want the "BG" to hear ANYTHING.
Such as if you come around the corner and he already has a gun in his hand - do you want to rack the pump and see if he beats you to the trigger? I don't.
Plus, keeping one in the chamber can't hurt from the "deterrent" point of view - you can rack the pump again and make the sound, you'll just loose one shell.

If there are no kids around, I say keep 'er full.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[R.E.Lee]

loaded of course, like someone posted on here in another thread, "an uncocked firearm is like an expensive paper weight"

Thats true. I ALWAYS keep my XD with one in the pipe.

I think there are situations in which you don't want the "BG" to hear ANYTHING.
Such as if you come around the corner and he already has a gun in his hand - do you want to rack the pump and see if he beats you to the trigger? I don't.
Plus, keeping one in the chamber can't hurt from the "deterrent" point of view - you can rack the pump again and make the sound, you'll just loose one shell.

Thats an excellent point.

I had thought about something like a Benelli M2 of M4 (My father owns an M4 and Ive fired it quite a bit), but then started to wonder if the pump aspect wasnt going to be an advantage for an HD gun. Im thinking Ill go with an 870 Police model or a Mossy 590..

If there are no kids around, I say keep 'er full.

Our only child is our female Pitbull. (an excellent first line of defense, I hear )

[SIXTO]

The only reason I ask is that I think the pumping sound generated by a pump gun has got to be the most spine-tingling noise a robber could hear. Therefore, I almost think it would be a better preventative measure to allow an intruder to be able to hear the action while chambering a round (leave the chamber open, until necessary).

Forget about this.... its nothing more than gun counter commando banter, often repeated because it sounds nice and tough.

I like to keep the tube full and hammer down. Its ready for action no releases to mess with, no safety issues just pump and go.

[ExactlyMyPoint]

I like to keep the tube full and hammer down. Its ready for action no releases to mess with, no safety issues just pump and go.

So are you saying unloaded, pick it up, rack it and showtime? If so, why? Seems counter to all the other advice of having one in the pipe.

[SIXTO]

So are you saying unloaded, pick it up, rack it and showtime? If so, why? Seems counter to all the other advice of having one in the pipe.

No, I'm saying its loaded, but with nothing in the chamber. Why keep one in the chamber? Its not a pistol, its a long gun. If you have time to deploy a long gun, you have time to get a round in the chamber. If you keep it like I suggest, it takes no extra time and you bypass all the safety concerns of keeping in ready to rock as is.

[Ghettokracker71]

I don't use a defensive long gun currently,my vote is one in the chamber. As aforementioned, if felt needed "for effect" you can always lose a roung by pumping the action. If/when I get a HD its going to be either a Mossberg 590,wich I could probable sacrafice a round (if 9/10 rounds of 12 gauge aint taking down the BG,...I'm in trouble.)or if I get a Saiga12 to match my .410,well ,...theres no pumping action to sound "badarse"

[ppkheat]

My Benelli M2 is loaded to max with one in the pipe, and lays by my bedside every night. I live way out of town and leo response time is going to be slow, so I'm on my own for a while. Compared to pistols, shotguns have such a low capacity (6 for mine) I'm using every bit of magazine space available. Personally, I'm not racking it and/or wasting a shell for effect on a BG, I'll use my voice if necessary.

BTW the kids are no longer in the house.......grown and gone.

[f8lranger4x4]

I always keep mine loaded.

[Cap'n]

Mine is loaded with one chambered.

[allenruger]

My Mossberg is loaded but none in the pipe. I have a handgun that would be my first option and it's ready to go. As I would have plenty of time to grab the shotgun I don't see any reason to have one in the chamber.

[David in FL]

Mine's in the safe because of the 8 year old, but it's fully loaded. You give up nothing and gain 1 more round.

[joleary223]

All my HD long guns are loaded with the chambers empty. I keep the Kimber cocked and locked at all times and if I have enough time to get a long gun out of the safe, I will have enough time to chamber a round. I keep my guns that way to help avoid a ND
Now if you have no kids and your only HD gun is a shotgun then by all means make it battle ready.

[stgdz]

I keep mine loaded but they are locked up with life jacket shotgun locks. I will have the cycle the pump and the wife will have to release the bolt on her 1100. Noise will be made but the guns will end up pointed at the bedroom door while waiting for the police to arrive.