Hammer dropped or hammer cocked?

[68strat]

What is the best way to store my 870 for long periods?

[Vitaly]

I recommend storing it with hammer dropped. If you store your 870 with hammer cocked it may weaken the hammer spring.

[68strat]

I recommend storing it with hammer dropped. If you store your 870 with hammer cocked it may weaken the hammer spring.

So there are no downsides to storing it with the hammer dropped?

[Synchronizor]

Well, the downside is that the action won't be locked, it can sag or fall open if the gun is stored upright or handled.

There should be no problem with keeping the hammer cocked. The hammer spring operates well within its elastic limit, so unless it's kept in a really hot environment, it'll be cycles that wear it out, not constant compression. I've kept my 870 cocked for years, and it's never caused any problems.

[DaveC]

With the hammer cocked, you'll have to depress the disconnector to open the action to make sure it is unloaded or not... With the hammer down on an empty chamber, the slide can be partially opened to ensure the chamber is empty and so on. Either works.