Hey guys hows it going. I just bought an 870 and I have just a few questions if you guys dont mind. Can you keep a shotgun unloaded but cocked for an extended period of time? Will it damage/wear anything? And how bad is dry firing a shotgun (870) because if you take out all the ammunition in the gun it would be impossible to de-cock the weapon without dry firing correct?

I don't think leaving a gun unloaded will hurt it. I keep mine unloaded whenever I'm not in the field. There is an action bar release on the trigger housing you can use to move the action. I have a few 870's and enojy them a lot. Remingotn says that dry firing center fires is fine, but I wouldn't get trigger happy. Read up on the manual.

They claim that a spring or any metal thats under tension will not wear out for being held under tension but moving back and forth.

I dry fire mine for over a decade when unloaded with no problems.

I have had my Wingmaster 870 since 1973....bought it when i was 13 ( or my dad did with my lawnmowing money)......it has been an outstanding piece of equipment...and the loaded or unloaded question, or the dry fire question , in my case , have been non issues ...for 32 years.....hope that answers your question.

i have a 870 that i just leave the action open when i am not using it (unloaded of coruse). My dad has had his since 1982 an he hasnt had any problems with it. Just make sure you clean it and maintain it, and it will serve you well for many years to come. Also it is a great starter gun for a young child in 20 guage.

hmm thanks guy for the help.. Just curious because generally leaving break open pellet guns cocked ruins them. And i was told by many people that dry firing is bad for guns. thanks guys.