In western Connecticut hills living next to state forest but I don't hunt but keep my 12ga pump oiled and clean AND loaded. I wonder is it a BAD IDEA to keep her loaded with those shells sitting in the chamber touching the sides (gun oil). Is this a good way to get a jam maybe if I had to shoot? I keep it by my bed and I don't want to have to chamber a shell _ I want to push off the safety and fire if I need to, but I don't want to be stupid (please don't say keeping a loaded 12ga by your bed is stupid). Thank you for your kind attention if anyone cares to comment.

i see no problem with it. Maybe after awhile the oil might get gumped up and mess with it a little, but i doubt it. If your a little paranoid about it work it once a week.

thanks HuntingPAkid I appreciate your input

Ya I see no problems with it I have an 887 nitro and keep it loaded with no such issues.

thanks BP Niccum

By the way - what do you folks think about the "plastic" trigger mech as opposed to a metal? version?

Haha So far I havent had a issue but I havent taken the gun through the ringer yet. So im leaving my opinions open but I will always be a fan of the metal.

yeah, thanks!

I never leave a gun cocked when it's not in use as I think it weakens the spring, which might fail when it's needed. My suggestion would be to keep shells in the magazine and nothing in the chamber with it uncocked. It doesn't take but a fraction of a second to put one into the chamber and the sound to an interloper will probably be all that's need to turn the tide.

My 870 (I know, not a 500) stays loaded 24/7 365 days a year. When its not being hunted with, its under the bed as home defense. No issues ever... thousands of rounds.