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

[762cavalier]

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.

That is how I had my first (and hopefully only) ND. unloading the shotgun and on the last round when I slapped the slide shut it fired. Only way I will pump them through is when at the range with the muzzle pointed downrange.

[supersonic]

I can't believe shotgun owners were unaware of the shell latches (that's right, that's what they are called!). There is a right side shell latch & a left side one. When re-assembling an 870, you must manipulate these in order to slide the forearm rails/BC/Block back into the receiver. The first time I did a field strip I realized what they were there for.

[packnrat]

Must not be know as it is to easy.

But then one of my shot guns just sets in the corner, with a full tube and one in the chamber.

Not going to spend the time letting the bg guy know what I have, he can here it for the second shot........ Maybe.

[sorensen440]

This added to always visually inspecting the chamber before pulling the trigger will keep ya safe

[Hayashi Killian]

Tyrist: That's a good vid but in the last scene the guy should have cycled the action again to be sure. In the action that you perform to first check the chamber then the magazine he could have accidentally loaded the last round (if there is one) in the magazine into the chamber.

[CalNRA]

the 500 is super easy to unload, but the 870 has the spring loaded shell carrier that can get in the way of the shells should one want to eject shells by hand

[supersonic]

the 500 is super easy to unload, but the 870 has the spring loaded shell carrier that can get in the way of the shells should one want to eject shells by hand

That makes absolutely zero sense. As soon as you reach into the loading port to access the shell latches, the carrier simply 'locks' up & OUT of the way. Not sure how it could possibly get 'IN the way.'

[tyrist]

the 500 is super easy to unload, but the 870 has the spring loaded shell carrier that can get in the way of the shells should one want to eject shells by hand

Hold the 870 slide and stick your primary side thumb straight up into the loading port like your giving a thumbs up. Then bring the slide all the way back. What will happen is the shell in the magazine will eject into your thumb. Remove that shell. Next just press on the tabs to eject the shells out of the rest of the magazine. The shell carrier will stay in the up position as long as the slide is back.

[sargenv]

On the Browning Gold, you'd have to be more adept since the shell is held in place by a gate that is located on the actual bolt of the shotgun. There are no shell retention bars like in other guns. I believe they did it this way since in some shotguns if you don't fully place the round in the magazine tube and hear a "click", it has enough clearance that when the gate clears the shell, the shell now goes under the bolt and siezes up the shotgun. You can do this very easily in an 870 if you are not careful. The only way to unjam the gun is to disassemble the gun and pop the mag spring loose. In this case, the only real way to unload the Gold is to cycle the rounds through the gun. It is easier to do than trying to manipulate the thin bolt carrier and unload it through the bottom.

I know that the Gold has a firing pin spring, so a slam fire will likely not happen. And no one says you have to rack the slide and let it fly, there is no reason you can't pull the bolt back and ride it forward with your hand to make sure it doesn't slam home.

[TMC]

it is a dangerous practice which can result in an ND when the bolt slams home.

So how many ND's do you have while shooting? I mean, if you can have an ND while simply cycling rounds through the gun to unload it it must happen all the time when shooting, right? There is far more energy being imparted on the gun in recoil or when and autoloader cycles than when you run the bolt yourself.

None of my shotguns have ever fired unless I had my finger pressing the trigger. If your shotgun can go off while you are simply racking rounds through it you need to have it looked at.

[KrizB]

I learned the safe way to unload a shotgun years before even owning one by watching an episode of COPS.

Of course, on a different episode there was an Officer clearing a suspects gun by racking the slide with a finger in the trigger guard...

[M. Sage]

I believe you need to unload the one in the chamber first honestly.

Yeah, but pulling the slide back usually results in a loaded chamber when you close it to empty the magazine.

Magazine first, then chamber. Same as a semi-auto rifle or pistol.

[tyrist]

Yeah, but pulling the slide back usually results in a loaded chamber when you close it to empty the magazine.

Magazine first, then chamber. Same as a semi-auto rifle or pistol.

On the 870P just take your pinky finger and place it off the slide so it will be between the slide and the receiver when you pull it to the rear. Now you won't load one when you remove the one from the chamber.

[AJAX22]

So how many ND's do you have while shooting? I mean, if you can have an ND while simply cycling rounds through the gun to unload it it must happen all the time when shooting, right? There is far more energy being imparted on the gun in recoil or when and autoloader cycles than when you run the bolt yourself.

None of my shotguns have ever fired unless I had my finger pressing the trigger. If your shotgun can go off while you are simply racking rounds through it you need to have it looked at.

One while shooting.

It was a high end Italian double barrel OU that discharged when I closed it (probably more vigorously than required)

All it takes is for a tiny bit of gunk or bit of primer to stick the firing pin forward to cause the gun to discharge when you slap it closed.

Just because it has never happened to you doesn't mean it can't/won't happen.

One time in 10,000 is still too often for it to be considered a safe practice.

[Asphodel]

The old 'open hammer' Winchester model 97 has a pair of press buttons on the sides of the receiver, which, when pressed in together, move the shell stops to allow the shells to slide out of the magazine.

(This applies to almost all of the M97 production, marked with an 'E' near the serial number. The uncommonly found earlier series, up to the 'D' version, did not have the external buttons, so the user had to reach inside the receiver to press in the shell stops manually.

On those, its actually easier to partially chamber the shell, by cycling the action, to eject it. If you inadvertently fully chamber a live round, leave the hammer at full cock, and release the bolt by pressing in the button on the right side of the receiver, moving the slide handle forward slightly to release the internal latch, then pulling fully back on the slide handle to retract the bolt, ejecting the shell.

Even tho you 'know' that you left the chamber clear when loading the magazine, after removing the shells from the magazine, open the bolt to visually verify the empty chamber. If on a range, with other people present, leave it open.)

cheers

Carla