How do you mount your 870?

Zebra62 · Post by **Zebra62** » Wed May 29, 2013 12:58 pm

Thanks Vitali and Synchronizor. I can safely say it did turn out better than I had thought.

As far as actual plans go, I have a few scribblings on a sheet of paper, measurements of weapons and the door mostly and a rough sketch of what I had hoped the finished project would be. All of the the real blueprints are still in my head. The only "technical" parts of the rack are the base and the center piece where the barrels poke through. The rest of it is just a wooden frame.

The inside width of the rack is 20 inches, so on the base I have the butt spacerscut and spread out in these dimensions: 1 1/2" spacer, 2" butt space, 3 " spacer, 2" butt space, 3 " spacer, 2 " butt space, 3" spacer, 2" butt space, 1 1/2" spacer.

For the center piece, I measured out where the center of each position would be and marked out a 1 1/2" x 3" rectangle. Next I made pilot marks in my rectangles at 3/4 inch from each end and 3 /4 inch from each side. Using a 1 1/2 hole saw, I cut two holes in the rectangles, one on either end. Since the piece I was drilling is 1 1/2" thick and the hole saw is only 3/4 deep, I had to drill from both sides. Thank Skil for my drill press. Wit the holes cut, I used my router to cut out the excess and smooth out the edges.

The rest of the projust was just screwing it all together and bolting it to the door.

Kentactic · Post by **Kentactic** » Fri May 31, 2013 5:53 pm

I keep mine leaning against a wall next to a dresser. Its yet to fall over on its own. But i did tell it if it fell over it would not go to the range for a whole month. I also keep it with a round chambered. The racking sound of a pump shotgun is tactically undesirable. If you keep yours this way, keep in mind 870's arent "drop safe".

reeps · Post by **reeps** » Fri May 31, 2013 6:19 pm

I follow the keep the magazine loaded but chamber empty train of thought. Don't want any accidents!

Zebra62 · Post by **Zebra62** » Fri May 31, 2013 10:03 pm

I agree with reeps on this fact, especially in a home defense situation. The sound of any shotgun action being cycled is usually enought to cause would-be criminals to piss thier pants. That sound is very distinct and unmistakable. It tells the perpetrator a world of hurt has just been chambered.

I personally do not wish to be on the receiving end of that sound.

reeps · Post by **reeps** » Fri May 31, 2013 10:24 pm

Oh I'm not sure the sound will do much. I just don't want a round accidentally going off.

Kentactic · Post by **Kentactic** » Fri May 31, 2013 11:52 pm

Zebra62 wrote:I agree with reeps on this fact, especially in a home defense situation. The sound of any shotgun action being cycled is usually enought to cause would-be criminals to piss thier pants. That sound is very distinct and unmistakable. It tells the perpetrator a world of hurt has just been chambered.

I personally do not wish to be on the receiving end of that sound.

And a terrified intruder with a gun might do what? Shoot in the direction of the sound... Never underestimate your enemy.

Kentactic · Post by **Kentactic** » Fri May 31, 2013 11:57 pm

reeps wrote:Oh I'm not sure the sound will do much. I just don't want a round accidentally going off.

It only accidently goes off if you accidently pull the trigger. I realize theres the fear of forgetting you now leave a round chambered after so long of having it empty. But you should still consider a round is chambered every time you touch the gun until you physically check anyways. Im sure you do. So theres no danger in the transition.

It dosent make sense to bring an unloaded gun to a gunfight.

Website · Post by **Synchronizor** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 5:35 am

I'm also firmly in the "empty chamber" camp. I always recommend keeping a HD shotgun with a full magazine, but an empty chamber. People can pick whether they prefer the action locked or unlocked, and the safety on or off; the better choices will depend on individual preferences and situations (though as someone who's developed a lot of muscle memory handling my 870, I automatically press the slide release whenever I pick up my gun and open the action, even if it's already unlocked).

You're correct, Kentactic, that 870s aren't fully drop-safe, but it would take a very violent acceleration in just the right direction to cause an inertial strike. A much more pressing danger is a simple accidental trigger pull. Observing proper trigger discipline is simple enough at the range; but things get a little more sloppy when you're disorientated from just having been jolted awake while at the same time charged with adrenaline and clumsy due to whatever threat woke you, and you're groping blindly for your bedside gun since your eyes haven't adjusted to the darkness yet. Having a live round under the firing pin in that situation is not wise.

A shotgun with a full magazine isn't unloaded, it just takes a fraction of a second to chamber a shell and be ready to fire. Wake up, get your bearings, then if there's reason to, pick up the gun and chamber a round right away (quietly, if necessary - it can be done) before taking whatever action. Trying to scare an intruder (or intruders, as is often the case) off by racking the gun loudly nearby is a stupid gamble. It essentially tells them that you're armed, and leaves it up to them to decide how to act on that information.

If you're going into a situation where you may need to fire the shotgun, load the chamber right off the bat. If there's no immediate need to fire the shotgun, keep the chamber empty.

Zebra62 · Post by **Zebra62** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 12:27 pm

Never underestimate your enemy.

I do not underestimate my enemy.

It is very true that an armed intruder may fire blindly through the darkness in the direction of a sound and it is very true that with that I could be injured or killed or one of my family members could be injured or killed. It is highly possible and I do not think for a second it is not. I am willing to bet my life and the lives of my family that I am better trained and more prepared than any punk a***d b**ch deciding to invade my home. We will not be invaded by any team of trained operatives. No mercenaries will attempt to breach my perimeter. My home does not provide any tactical advantage nor do I work in a field that would offer a tactical advantage should someone take my family hostage. I am not rich. The only people who might invade my home are those drug users looking for a quick theft so they can get thier next hit. They will not be professionaly trained.

I was an air plane mechanic in the Air Force. I also had a secondary AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code - similar to the Army's MOS) (( edited - Thanks Hunterbob)) that required I take advanced weapons training, not just the yearly M-16 qualifications like everyone else. I am not your average crew chief. I have also been giving my wife as much training as she can handle, enlisting the aid of professional instructers in our area specializing in home defense to train her better. We are prepared to wage open war should someone invade our home and make attempts on our lives. We have an action plan that we practice with our children. I will arm myself first. We will then collect our children in the Master Bedroom and barracade the door. My wife will arm herself. THEN we will call the Police.

They can have everything in the rest of the house as long as I know my family is safe. Everything else is replacable.

We could debate this issue until the end of time and still not be convinced of each others point of view. Less filling, Great taste. Ford or Chevy. Red Team, Blue Team. There are always different sides to every coin.

This is the side I have chosen and I am willing to bet my life on it.

Zebra62 · Post by **Zebra62** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 1:02 pm

Trying to scare an intruder (or intruders, as is often the case) off by racking the gun loudly nearby is a stupid gamble.

So now I'm STUPID?

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