Checking HD Guns?

[45Guy]

How often do you check your Home Defense weapons? Check to see that they are loaded, that the magazine/cylinder is functioning properly, and that the laser or light(s) you have for them are working?

I check my SP101 to make sure it's loaded, that the cylinder rotates, the rounds drop free (I've heard of rounds seizing in the cylinder without firing) that the CT grip is working everytime I pull it out. I check the magazine and chamber on my XD9 everytime I pull that out. And my Surefire gets a quick check every night.

What do you do?

 

[mgkdrgn]

Personally I shoot them at least every couple of weeks. Lot more fun than just "checking" them.

 

[sevin8nin]

I check every weapon I touch and whatever pistol I'm carrying for the day usually ends up on my night stand. When I had a shotgun I would check its status every night when I went to sleep.

 

[45Guy]

I shoot mine whenever I go to the range too, I was just wondering if anyone checked them before or if it's more of a "yeah they're there, I think they're loaded."

 

[Mandirigma]

45Guy, I don't check, but I'm the only one in the house.

I make sure to very deliberately charge my firearms once I'm through handling them, for whatever reason.

 

[Loomis]

My main home devense gun is a shotgun. It gets checked about once per year. The ammo is 5-10 years old. number 2 buck iirc.

The pistols each get checked about once per month I suppose...loaded with ammo about 1 year old I think.

 

[VegasOPM]

I check my HD guns every few weeks. I try to get them in on a range trip every month or so. Of course, I have 5 HD guns, so they may only get to the range 2 or 3 times per year.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Loomis,

Might not be a bad idea to take that puppy out and give it some exercise, rotate out some of that ammo. I've found that mechanical devices are "happier" and last longer when they are used regularly.

"My main home defense gun is a shotgun. It gets checked about once per year. The ammo is 5-10 years old. number 2 buck iirc."

 

[cerberus65]

I rotate through my collection regularly at the range so nothing goes long without being shot. Whatever sleeps beside me gets handled on its way to "bed".

 

[PTK]

Every day before bed I check the chamber on my AR-15, make sure it's loaded, make sure the silencer is firmly attached, etc.

I shoot it at least twice a month, as well.

 

[Todd A]

Checked nightly . I am lucky to live in the sticks so I run at least a box of game loads through it weekly in my backyard. Monthly I shoot up the #1 buck kept loaded in the tube plus a couple more packs,and some slugs since that is what I keep in the side-saddle.

 

[Treo]

My HD & carry weapon are the same the only time it's ever not loaded is when I'm cleaning it. no need to check

 

[Loomis]

Yeah I know. But You know what I'll find if I take it out and shoot it? That it works. That's the beauty of a monkey wards model 35 pump gun.

The ammo IS old though. I suppose...

 

[Wes Janson]

It gets checked whenever it gets used, which is every couple of weeks on average. Windowed PMags make it easy to tell if a mag is loaded or not..but honestly, I don't understand how anyone doesn't always know the status of every weapon in their possession, any more than someone could not "know" where their right foot is. Similarily, press-checking a carry/duty pistol has always struck me as an extremely odd thing to do.

 

[Old Guy]

Same gun

Glock 19, in holster, bedside table, back in holster. Is shot the odd time, not my match gun though. Shoots to exact point of aim. Seven yards, bullet on bullet.

 

[Realbigo]

I shoot my HD every 2 or 3 months, but I load it and check it's action every night as Iget ready to go to bed.

 

[rantingredneck]

Mine see lots of range use, and in the case of my shotguns, field use.

My bedside handgun is a Ruger P345 that wears a streamlight. I verify loaded and flash the light to make sure it's working when it comes out of the safe at night (when the carry gun goes in).

Remington 870 comes out of the safe, verify chamber empty tube loaded, flash light. stand by safe door.

Carry weapons (LCP, SP101, or another P345 go into the safe loaded and stay that way).

 

[mgregg85]

The sub-2000 next to my bed has a surefire attached, I just touch the switch and it comes on for a second. I then make sure the mag is locked in and ready.

I do this before I go to bed.

I check my carry pistol before I put it on and after I take it off.

 

[sacp81170a]

Loomis:

Yeah I know. But You know what I'll find if I take it out and shoot it? That it works. That's the beauty of a monkey wards model 35 pump gun.

The ammo IS old though. I suppose...

I really would check it out. I've had problems with shotgun ammo getting compressed slightly when I leave it in a tube magazine under spring tension for too long. I change mine out about every six months, but I had some rounds that were a little "sticky" when I left 'em in for a year or so. It depends on what the shells are made of. The ones I had problems with were paper type, so I don't know if there's a difference between them and plastic shells. Still, better safe than sorry...

 

[mattx109]

Repeating what others have said, but I shoot (an cycle ammo for) my nightstand gun as much as my carry gun and I check its condition each night.

Probably unnecessary (I doubt gnomes are sneaking in while I'm not home and unloading things), but it's just my peace of mind.