How to unload a pump/autoloading shotgun without pulling the trigger or chambering

[AJAX22]

I was surprised to learn that some people don't know how to do this...

There is NO reason to cycle the rounds through a pump or auto loading shotgun in order to unload it... it is a dangerous practice which can result in an ND when the bolt slams home.

Shells are retained in a tube magazine by a small spring tab on the side of the receiver, with the bolt closed, if this spring tab is depressed, the lifter will act as a guide for the shell and it will go out the loading port instead of into the action/chamber.

By reaching into the bottom of the gun with a finger you can depress this tab and it will kick out one shell from the bottom of the shotgun...

Remove the shell, and depress it again and it will kick out another one.. and so on and so forth until you can reach in and touch the follower.

At this point, you can use the slide release or charging handle (depending on what type of shotgun you are unloading) to open the breach and check the chamber.

That's it...

now you know..

(If someone wants to take photo's to illustrate this please do so as this is a safety item which people really should know)

[CmpsdNoMore]

I found out this technique while I was playing with my first shotgun using some snap-caps.

Though, I must say, if I'm at a range where I can point it down range and not have to worry about damaging persons or property, it's easier to just cycle the shells.

[evidens83]

I knew there had to be a safer way to unload shells! A vid showing the process would make it much clearer though. Thanks for sharing the tip!

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Excellent tip.....something I learned over 20yrs ago.. and it's still not widely known

[AJAX22]

I knew there had to be a safer way to unload shells! A vid showing the process would make it much clearer though. Thanks for sharing the tip!

Well... the video will have to be done by someone else (if it is to be done in a timely manner), all my shotguns are 3k miles away...

[Vtec44]

I'll make a video for you guys, as soon as I buy myself a shotgun.

[762cavalier]

Gee where were you 20 yrs ago when I had an ND cycling shells through the action.

[Bobula]

I can't find the springs on my savage. The 870's are super easy though.

[Hayashi Killian]

On the Mossberg 500/590, it's the right-side tab. The left is the cartridge stop. Both are removable and should be removed when field stripping.

I knew about this before I even got my gun because I downloaded a PDF of the manual and read through it during my waiting period.

[leitung]

Gee where were you 20 yrs ago when I had an ND cycling shells through the action.

Where was the last night lol....



Thanks AJAX..

[bohoki]

i unload my pump ones almost chambering them you can kind of short pump them and they wont go all the way in the chamber and wont be in a position to be fired

but ive knew how to take them out of the tube it just takes a little more manual dexterity

[bruss01]

Did this today with an ithaca 37, there is a "thing" on the left inside (reach in underneath of course) near the tube that you depress towards the left, that releases one shell, repeat until the tube is empty.

[CmpsdNoMore]

I'd make a video, but I don't own a shotgun right now.
Hopefully soon

[tyrist]

Here is a decent example on youtube. I believe you need to unload the one in the chamber first honestly. Pumping the shotgun to unload is dangerous.

[gdun]

this isn't widely known? I had no idea. I've known it ever since i started shooting. However, i've never heard of a pump firing this way, and it is easier just to pump them out.