How to Store a Home Defense Shotgun 

My only criticism of this video is mentioning the idea of racking a round into the shotgun in the hopes of scaring off a home intruder. As the gentlemen on the video said, it might not scare off an intruder. What he didn’t mention is that by racking a round, you gave up the element of surprise by announcing to the intruder that someone is home, you have a weapon and just gave your location away. As a retired cop, I am familiar with a case of a home invasion where the owner was in his basement, heard the break in, and waited quietly with his shotgun knowing the intruder would have to come down the stairs to gain access to the basement. Story ended well because he sat quietly not announcing his presence and having the tactical advantage to shoot first and ended the threat. The homeowner also positioned himself so the intruder could not readily return accurate fire. Use your head, then use the gun.

I’ve been around and been shooting firearms for 40+ years. THIS was probable the most clear, concise, and well explained video on this matter I’ve ever seen! Kudos, sir!!! Amazing job! 👍

My father taught me to NEVER point a gun at someone even if I knew it wasn't loaded. That's good advice 👍

I just purchased a shotgun after years of not owning one since my last. I was looking for a little refresher. Glad I stopped here. Sir, your presentation was informative and you obviously know what you're talking about. No dramatic hypothetical situations, just the useful facts. Thanks very much! Liked and subscribed.

Fantastic review. Should be included on a little DVD everytime a shotgun is sold to a new shotgun owner.

Never thought about the ends of the shells deforming in the tube, Going to check mine now. Thanks for this video, your advice, and your commitment to safety and security.

"Don't leave a pump fully loaded," is excellent advice I'd not previously encountered--thank you.

That's the best 14 minutes 46 seconds of shotgun information I've personally ever seen!

This guy does a great job. Could watch for hours.

Sounds crazy now, but I grew up in a house where the shotguns were right in the back of our hallway closet that had our winter clothes, baseball bats and large toys. I know I know, but those were different times and families who were low on cash could not afford proper storage. Plus we knew that we would all get a serious ass whipping if we ever played around with those guns.

My grandfather was born in the 1920s and lived during the Great Depression. He had to hunt rabbit and deer to feed his family. He also grew a garden, and they had a cow for milk and chickens for eggs. All the men in the family ( his brothers ) would get together in the fall and kill a hog and dress it out for meat for their families during the coming winter. My mom said my grandmother would not let her go down to the killing and watch even though she wanted to and felt she had a right because she was the oldest. My grandmother said she did not want my mother (when she was young) to see such things. During WW2, they had ration coupons for coffee, sugar, flour, etc. They lived on about 2 acres of land, but granddaddy always got permission to hunt nearby on a creek and in a field where rabbits ran. My mother, one of his daughters, loved biscuits and “rabbit gravy” till the day she died in 2019. She said no one could make it like my grandmother did. My Mom said her daddy kept his hunting dogs in a pen on his property, and they were not treated as pets but were well taken care of. He kept his guns on the wall on a gun rack, and when not in use, they were never loaded. Mom said they would get the worst whipping of their lives if he ever caught them touching one of the guns. He was a good man who worked very hard all his life and so loved his family. My mom still has fond memories of him, especially at Christmas, when he would use his last dime earned to buy all 7 kids a toy, some fruit and candy for Christmas. They don’t make men like him anymore. And yes, all 7 kids obeyed him and did not try to touch his guns.

Gun Safety is something every person needs to learn, I believe. Thank you for a refresher for one possible scenario. Good advice.

Clear explanation, great demonstration, no fluff. Couldn't ask for more.

What a clear, articulated and well detailed video. I am a “newbie” to firearms, and this will hopefully keep me on the right track.

IVE BEEN AROUND SHOTGUNS SINCE 1950,THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS THAT ALL MANUFACTURERS OF TUBE FED MAGS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PUT A MAG LOCK ON THEIR GUNS LIKE THE BROWNING AUTOLOADER HAS,VERY GOOD SAFETRY ACCESSORY..VER INFORMATIVE VIDEO

Very nicely done! I've been shooting for many years, did steel and was a range officer for 5 years or so back in the 80's. The older I get the more I feel as an experienced shooter I need to remind myself that safety training, the way I practice and teach others is a lifetime commitment. Thanks

As someone currently considering a shotgun for home defense, I really appreciate your informative and meaningful content. Thank you very much.

I love the fact that you're preaching about safety. I, for one, appreciate and respect that.

I ❤ Guns, lots of guns, all types of guns, gotta love them ❤❤❤❤

Solid, solid information in this video. Folks, pay attention here. These methods have been proven over time. 🤙🏻🤙🏻

Love this guy! I wish he was my Uncle, C/O, or boss. Straight forward, no nonsense, clear and concise. I'd follow him into battle through the gates of hell!

The sound @7:30 is the international unspoken language of "you are in the wrong place and need to leave immediately"!!! This sound is understood by 99% of the population of the humanity.

Well explained. I have always kept my Mossberg 500 with 5 shells in the tube, nothing in the chamber, safety on and the action locked. I have drilled with my wife the mantra of 'Safety, trigger, pump, shoot.' I didn't think about that panic moment of needing it to potentially save my family's life, or worse, my wife having to try to figure it out in the moment. Time to go visit the old girl, check the shells and put it in Condition 3.

Thanks very much for making this video. We don't have any kids and I've got guns staged all around the house, one of which is a Shockwave. I was keeping it with 5 in the tube and one in the chamber with the safety on. I was not aware that there is no drop protection. Your logic was compelling, so now I've got 4 in the tube with the action free and the safety off. You're a terrific instructor.

Solid info here... this is exactly how I keep my 18-1/2” 8 round 870 tube near full + 5 in elastic on the stock

Excellent video. He not only showed what to do but explained why he was doing it (twice!). Well done.

Reminds me of an old instructor and the term "cruiser ready". Great video

New to gun ownership. Inherited a Mossberg but have never shot it. You give me confidence with your videos. I’ve subscribed and will follow all you posts. Stay brilliant, sir.

Once again (as in the Springfield XD2 review) Allen 's review & advice are cogent, on-point, brief & informative. All that said, I'll add a personal note. Take what you like leave the rest. I have used a 12ga Ithaca D.S. model 37 W/18inch bbl. as a home defense weapon for 25+ years, since my retirement. My employer allowed me to buy it. I added a pistol grip, a "sidesaddle" for an extra 5 rounds & finally an under-barrel mounted flashlight You will be asked, "did you identify your target before you fired?" I keep as Allen describes, the tube loaded, chamber unloaded and hammer down. I want anyone who is/was a threat to hear a 12-guage rack (everyone speaks that language). I also find the pistol grip weapon easier to store & to mauver around corners & for room entries. My ammo was/is Federal #4 tactical buck - its vicious. But as I age & acquire more property & income, that I would like NOT loose in a lawsuit, and if you hit anyone you WILL be sued. I decided to make my first two rounds 12-guage less than lethal. The next 3 are still the tactical #4 buck. The sidesaddle is all tactical buck, with the last two 12-guage sabot. just in case. My storage is a box picture frame. I built it, hangs on the wall next to my bed. No one has spotted it as anything other than a frame yet. I also have another secure police cruiser shotgun rack, concealed, for when kids are around. I know there are some who think the two less lethal are somehow cowardly, or something akin to that. That's their opinion, I've been in an armed confrontation where shots were fired, and a death resulted - enough said. I want to avoid that again, if I possibly can. If two less-lethal center mass don't do it, so be it, I have 8 more. Be Safe, avoid trouble.

Thank you, I learned something new today. Safety 1st.

Defense Shotgun Storage Tips >>>----- 1- Well tested, proven, & lubricated 2- Magazine fully loaded with buckshot 3- store with 25 round cartridge bandolier 3- No further away than 16 feet away in daytime, & 3 feet away after 7 pm 4- Go ahead & rack slide at 1:00 AM (depending on area)

Excellent presentation. Allen and Paul Harrell, by far, the two very best on the subject of guns. Never a bad piece of advice or training tactic from either.

Excellent and informative video! I will now and forever store my home defense shotgun in condition 3. Thank you!

Reminds me of a boss I had when working as an Electrical generator engine installer... he usually had a couple and sometimes three ways to accomplish the same thing... there were usually no questions when he shouted to jack that front right by a 1/4 inch... one of the smartest men I ever knew... I can see this guy is right up there on his weapons knowledge.... now leave me alone ...I'm going to watch this again

Fantastic suggestion!Thank you.

Thanks for keeping it simple again. We look forward to your tactical pump action shotgun tutorials in 10-40yards distance

I'm so glad I found this channel. Home defense, I like the open breach with the butt stock shell holder.

Also, in a tube fed shotgun, get ammo that has flight control buffer material that is with the buckshot or the whole plastic part of the shell will bulge and deform. Love me some black aces 00 buckshot, but it will bulge in just a few days (no buffer in the buckshot) Winchester Super X is good for years.

Great video. I had thought about keeping a shell in the chamber until someone pointed out the drop safe factor. You just solidified that. Thank you, sir.

Thanks for the timely info. Just checked my old Winchester pump loaded with 6 shells forever. A couple of the shells starting to deform at the tip. Am only keeping 3 in the tube now. Thank you so much.

Great information! Everyone would benefit from watching this.

Just wow i never new about pulling the trigger and it would have the action unlocked and ready to rack a load in your sgotgun pump your videos are the best..

One of the best video's on home protection and safety (with a firearm) I have ever seen! Thank you.

Thank you. A great 'no nonsense' explanation for keeping a shotgun safe.

Fantastically done.. other youtubers take note of his presentation. Breathe of fresh air

Great advice! I'm going to check my Mossberg again for safety.

Really enjoy watching you. One of the best commentators. Thanks for sharing

Great video and sound advice. I have a well used Remington 870 for home defense and have stored it the way you describe in this video for many years. I had a problem with the breach not staying closed while in condition #3. It tended to creep open a bit. I want to be able to get a full robust stroke on it when needed, so I use a bit of blue painters tape on the pump forend slide stock to the barrel which keeps the breach closed up while in upright ready to go locked storage. The bit of tape causes zero functional problems.

This is the right video. Some of the other guys are unclear and do not really get to the point.

I had a Saiga semi-auto 0.308 16.5” barrel that I bought NIB with three mags in late 2004 for like $265. I sold it in 2005 and 100% regretted it! 😱 I seriously regret not buying a Saiga 12 gauge back then.😱😱. I’ve never even seen one of those AR style shotguns. Awesome. Thanks dude. 🇺🇸🇮🇱

Excellent demo, and what made it even better is that you had the Mossberg that I just bought today as the meat of the demo. This is my first “shotgun”, and I truly cannot wait to take it to the range. Being a 5’0 lady, this felt so comfortable in my hands. I not only liked & subbed to your channel, I emailed this to myself until this is ingrained in my memory! Thanks again for the great demo! I’m a fan.

Awesome video! I have Shockwave myself and I have never felt comfortable with the way I store it. I'm not well-versed with shotguns, but this video has definitely given me the confidence to keep my shotgun safe and ready at all times. A scan code to this video should definitely come with every new shotgun purchase.

After over 30 years of gun ownership I just recently got my first shotgun and this video helped me a lot. Ty

A LEADER,I WOULD FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE.COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY MEASURES. LEVEL 3 IS HOW I STORE MY WEAPONS.I KNEW AS A YOUNG KID THAT IF I TOUCHED MY DADS GUNS I WOULD GET A LEVEL ONE ASS WHIPPED. HE TAUGHT ME WELL ON GUNS.RESPECT.

EXCELLENT tutorial,Nice gentlemen.

Wow! Total professional. What a great video. I have been thinking of getting a shotgun for home protection. I appreciate your attention to detail. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Great Video, im 53yrs young and never too old to learn something new. Great information. Just Subscribed..

Yes sir, agree 1000 %! I’m tired out arguing with every Rambo that refer to my weapons as paperweights because I don’t keep one in the pipe I feel The same about my Benelli M4, it’s a beautiful and reliable weapon and as I am not a competitive shooter I see no reason personally to spend another $1000 for seven rounds and a collapsible stock that has me scrambling for 922r compliance parts! No I’m not John Wick So as a occasional ranger and full-time home defense weapon, if you’re not going to get it done with 5 rounds the extra 2 aren’t going to be helping you but if it’s the middle of the night and you are lucid enough to handle your weapon and point it at the right warm bodies in your home then you can certainly chamber one and even ghost load for 7 if you think the cartel is coming to steal all your Sudafed But for my house and my families safety your video is very much appreciated. I also respect your comment “ nobody wants to shoot anyone” I wish that were true simply judging from all the chatter especially in these days of uncertainty Stay safe, be healthy and keep posting vids

I'm a prepper and always worried about aging ammunition, so I especially liked the facts about how many rounds to have when not in use. Subscribed.

Another very informative video thanks Alan.

Glad I came here. I've had a Mossberg for over 15 years and I thought that accidents due to drops only affected older firearms. Apparently that's just handguns. Good to know!

Great video! Instructive & comprehensive.

How to store?! Fully loaded by your bedside, duh!🤣

Great, clear, concise explanation... great teacher

Outstanding. Clear and concise…..

Excellent video. Thank you sir.

You answered a lot of questions for me, thank you.

All firearm videos should be this direct,informative,and useful. Down to earth,yet critical to safe and effective operation of a home defense pump shotgun.

Solid information on a serious subject. High quality and professional. Thank you.

No kids in my house now for 30 years. Thanks for the video.

few sounds get the deserved respect like that of breaching action of a pump shotgun ; )

He is a OUTSTANDING weapons handling instructor. 👍🍻

I just go my first shotgun. I could watch this man talk about guns all day. Thanks for the advice, sir.

Very well communicated and really appreciated - this was the first question I had regarding my 870 Express Tactical.

As a new shotgun owner, this was hugely helpful! Thanks!

One of the most professional lectures / presentations, I have ever seen. Not just on guns - on ANYTHING! Brilliant delivery, pace. clarity and use of props. I stopped midway, to reset to the beginning and replay and I just liked and subscribed. I'm sure your other videos are equally good and I look forward to spending some time at your channel. And the comment about a DVD or a link to your YT video being included with every new shotgun sold - - was excellent. "Condition Three". And checked regularly. Going to become my new SOP. THANK YOU!

I have had my model 12 since the 60's I knew everything you talked about except keeping to many rounds in my pump, and what happens to the rounds. I only keep three in the tube and on in the chamber with the safety off. I would like to find a shorter stock, like pistol grip. The shot gun was my T-O weapon when I was in the Marines (61to65). I'm not a hunter, where we live we drive 30 to get gas. My wife and are in our late 70's. Thank you, You are to be commended for helping us to learn more about out fire arms and to be Safe . We are never to old to learn.

Thank you Olde English Outfitters for an EXCELLENT presentation!

Excellent presentation sir. Key data. Many thanks!

Great info, well explained, thanks.

Great explanation! You sound like my friend who has taught me the same thing and yes, he's been teaching adults and kids for over 45 years and is still doing it!

finally simple to the point video....

Am always learning something new with your videos thank you !!for the clear introduction , perfect straight to the point.👍

Always enjoy these and your presentation style. Thanks. JimE

Love this guy!!! Straight to the point. Definitely answered all my questions

Sir, I am a new gun user and subscriber to your channel and I felt I had to tell you that you're a great teacher, your videos are very educational, easy to comprehend base on the patience you take to explaine every detail wich gives us new user the confidence to believe that we will learn and thrive base on your lessons, thank you very much.

Excellent advise.

Thank you for your service, and professional attitude in helping us all to operate safely. Very much appreciated.

Excellent video. Thank you

First video by Allen and enjoyed it thoroughly while waiting out my checkout 10 days.

thank you sir very good informative presentation

Great info and well done.

Excellent review of how the mindset should be, thank you. Great video.

Great, great video. Thank you!

Really great video! Much to be learned! One thing I like to be sure of is that I always have fresh ammo. Also never leave your gun cocked over a long period of time, when you need it, it probably won't fire. Scary thought!

You sir are a great instructor. Thank you.

Excellent presentation of what some people may think of as common sense safety. Allen demonstrates and reminds us of shotgun handling in the safest of ways. He is wise enough to know we forget common sense quite often. Drills and practices is what I decided to do.

i store my shotgun in saran wrap, in the freezer. that way it doesn't get stale, and it won't mold. thaw it out, and it's fresh just like you bought it yesterday!

A big Thank You for this excellent refresher info. You are clear in your speaking voice and your information. is well received. The general population does not use their home defense shotguns on a regular basis, so hearing it and seeing it demonstrated is clearly appreciated. We cant hear this enough!

One of the best gun safety demonstrations I have seen. Nice job.