How to load for home defense

[foxhunter]

I’m still new to my 870 mariner, how do you guys load it for home defense
Do you load one in the pipe with safety on, or just load the tube mag. with the safety on??
You can tell I’m still new but I’m starting to like it. I got 4 or 5 upgrades for it and just took them off I like it kiss. better

Thanks

[MStarmer]

You will have to decide what works for you and your storage / accessibility situation. With that said the general consensus is "Cruiser Ready" or "Cruiser Safe". The MagPul shotgun video does a pretty good explanation of the different modes, but basically it's

Full magazine tube, empty chamber, hammer cocked and safety ON. This locks the slide so that it does not try to load a round if someone grabs it and pushes the slide back.

Full magazine tube, empty chamber, hammer down and safety OFF. This keeps the gun in a state where you just rack it and it's ready to fire, no buttons to push or safety to disengage.

Full magazine, chambered round, hammer cocked and safety ON. Obviously just disengage the safety and FIRE.

I used to keep mine chamber empty, hammer down and safety off but the slide so easily moves that I feel a whole lot more comfortable with it locked. So full tube, empty chamber, hammer cocked and safety on. That way it's (2) distinct operations to fire.

Whatever you decide just make sure you are consistent.

[DaveC]

I do "cruiser ready" myself:

Shotgun unloaded, checked, checked again, then the hammer is dropped on an empty chamber. Then four buckshot shells get loaded into the tube magazine. That's it.

Gun is retrieved, action cocks hammer and loads first shell in the tube magazine, weapon is shouldered, safety comes off, finger indexed along the side of the receiver. Threat is assessed... If time permits... IF... then the magazine is topped off with a shot shell from the side-saddle while the shotgun remains shouldered and dominant/shooting hand remains on the pistol grip scanning the threatening direction.

You may have a method you prefer. This is what I've trained for, and so I'll stick with it.

[Synchronizor]

I also keep the magazine loaded, with an empty chamber. A loaded chamber can be dangerous when you're fumbling for the gun, half-asleep, in the dark, etc. Compared to the time needed to deploy a shotgun, racking it doesn't make much of a difference.

[Kentactic]

I dont intend to reopen this debate. Everyones different. But i keep mine with a full tube with a round chambered and safety ON.

[foxhunter]

Thanks for the feedbacks I will use Fiocchi 00BK low recoil 1150 fps

[navyshooter]

6 rounds in the tube, Chamber empty, safety on, and 6 rounds in the sidesaddle.

[Short Bus]

I dont intend to reopen this debate. Everyones different. But i keep mine with a full tube with a round chambered and safety ON.

Me too

[Banshee]

I dont intend to reopen this debate. Everyones different. But i keep mine with a full tube with a round chambered and safety ON.

same here and loaded with Hornday Tap 00Buck

[Reaper]

Mag fully loaded, 6 in the side saddle, chamber empty, safety on. PMC #4 buck-27 pellets-1325 fps