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

[AJAX22]

Hey good tip....but calling unloading thru the chamber a dangerous practice? I have been using shotguns since the 70's and have never heard of a problem while unloading thru chamber. The first manual i ever looked at said to unload: finger off trigger, work action till clear. Are you worried about your semi-auto going full-auto?

Just my 2 cents but your safety is between your ears.....seems like some folks want the weapon to bear more of the safety burden than the operator.....And never, never, use your thumb to drop a hammer...(tongue in cheek).

..but still good tip for those who did not know. James

I've had semi auto's run away on me before from a stuck firing pin.... it was surprising to say the least.

anyway, there are numerous documented cases of stuck firing pins causing a shotgun to discharge when closing the breach. (I've had it happen myself on an OU shotgun that had gotten dirty)

Perhaps cycling through the action isn't necessarily 'unsafe' but removing the shells without running them through the action is definitely more safe.

You won't know if you broke your firing pin until it jams and blows a hole in whatever your pointed at.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-231570.html

http://ammosmith.com/forum/general-firearm/rem-870-firing-out-of-battery/

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=590395

[Turbinator]

anyway, there are numerous documented cases of stuck firing pins causing a shotgun to discharge when closing the breach. (I've had it happen myself on an OU shotgun that had gotten dirty)

Now that I think about it, I don't EVER remember cleaning the firing pin channel on a shotgun. Who here does that regularly??

Perhaps cycling through the action isn't necessarily 'unsafe' but removing the shells without running them through the action is definitely more safe.

Yup. Agree 100%. I don't know what's so hard about this idea - it's a great tip and one that I wish people would heed.

Turby