Thank you for your detailed and informative explanation Howard. This is exactly how I have had my long guns staged for years. The fact that you are/were an LEO (as well as a Marine!) adds even more credence to your advice.
My home defense gun is always ready. Of course I follow all safety recommendations trigger lock, inside a locked gun box, inside s fireproof safe. It is so assuring to know if ever needed it will only take 5 minutes to open everything cock and fire.
Good beginner video. Cruiser ready is the way to go in a vehicle, or at home. Mine are pumps with 7 round tubes I load to six, with a side saddle of slugs. Gives me the option of loading the last round, or first as a slug, as opposed to 00 buck, or to mix it up as needed. 😉
Man, you are always dressed to impress. You can tell that you are prior military. I wasn't in the military but I have always looked up to the old school guys and gals that keep themselves up. Thanks for the video, it was very informative. My shotgun, along with a lever action 357 and a lever action.22, is on a gun rack on my wall, out of reach of my grandkids. I have raccoons and opossum that get into the chicken coop sometimes so I need quick access to my.22 and the shotgun is for any would be idiot that wants to break in my house while I am there.
EXCELLENT video, due to the clarity and thoroughness with which Howard explained and demonstrated “Home Defense Ready” procedures for various firearms! For the VERY little it’s worth, my only immediately ready long-gun is a 12 Gauge Remington 870. LONG ago, I was carefully instructed how - and why - to place it in Cruiser Ready condition (by my FBI Agent father, who was VERY intolerant of errors), and I have never deviated from that process in 60+ years. It is BOTH entirely safe and very fast, should a threat appear. I’d add a brief final comment. While that 870 is Cruiser Ready as I type this, I have no REALISTIC plans to ever deploy it. Defensive strategies MUST be scenario dependent. My wife and I live in a townhouse (the children are all 45+ years old), so the 870 is available, in the most unlikely event that there is some sort of cataclysmic situation . . . BUT, I really don’t want to contemplate what #4 Buck could due in a neighbor’s dwelling, no less #00 Buck.
@@papimaximus95 Thanks, but it was built in the early 1980’s . . . and I know what a masonry wall looks like. Please remember that building codes vary by state (and often by local venue). I don’t doubt that YOUR code requires masonry wall between townhomes, but mine does not.
@@hrfunk FAR more to the point, Howard, THANK YOU for all your efforts, your creativity, your expertise, your editing and cinematography, and your truly superior verbal skills.
An 870 20 ga is my home defense gun along with my m & p 2.0 9mm 5” barrel. Thanks for showing things plainly and easy to understand, this was very helpful and good information 👍👍
Very good, simple way to explain SECURITY storage, prepare a shotgun for defense. I'm not a huge fan of pump 12ga 20ga models for personal defense but as seen, it can be done safely.
Brother Howard, what a great video, especially in light of first time gun owners due to the pandemic. I've been keeping my "hot" home defense long guns as you describe for decades now, but this is very useful for new long gun owners. One thing that I think it worth noting is that some students will ask me, "Won't it take too much time to get the gun into action?" I tell them that your home defense plan should have enough barriers to undetected entry that you should have enough time to retrieve your long gun from safe ready storage that this won't be a problem. I tell them that in properly secured hone, at a minimum, your adversary should have to break glass, splinter wood, set off an alarm, or alert a noisy dog, or a combination of these things. I have good locks that are used religiously on solid metal doors. My windows, all first floor are pinned shut. You can break into my home because any space can be breached, but you can't do it without giving me a lot of early warning time. So I keep my carry handgun fully loaded and when retiring for the evening place in a quick access combination gun box near the bed which also houses a larger and more capable handgun with a dedicated light on it. When I wake up and dress, the carry handgun goes back on my person and the box with the large handgun is locked. My home defense shotgun and a rifle are kept on the long gun side of a standard gun safe that has an electronic combination lock, in the ready states you have described. I have the option of managing an intrusion with just a handgun, or taking a few extra seconds to get a long gun. At no time do I have an unsecured firearm in my home for others to find, misuse, steal, or to use against me. In my mind, a loaded weapon should be either on you, or locked up.
I was thinking more about new long-gun owners when I was recording this video. I think the points you brought up in this post would also be beneficial for them. Hopefully they read through the comments!
Thank you for another in a long line of excellent videos, Devil Dog. What you described here is exactly how I store my Remington 11-87 shotgun with the 18.5 inch barrel for home defense. In fact, I think it was one of your older videos from where I learned this storage practice.
This is by far the best presentation and explanation of how to get your shotgun in the cruiser ready condition that I have seen on TH-cam or anywhere else. Not one wasted syllable or movement. I will be sharing this video with some people in my family that need to see it.👍
AS ALWAYS...another great video. Former LEO myself yet I always find your vids informative and professional. Between you and Harrell you guys are all we need. Thanks
The chamber flags you use at the ranger also work well for quick access storage. You, and anyone else, can verify at a glance the status of the chamber. Some of them are even designed so you can directly rack the flag out to chamber a round from the magazine.
Just as important in knowing how to load a tube fed shotgun or rifle, is how to unload it without having to chamber each round. At least in my opinion. Permits for safer overall use of the firearm. Good presentation funk.
My home defense is a Model 10 snub (former service revolver) w/speed loaders & a flashlight in the nightstand drawer. Good video, I remember the “cruiser ready” condition.
We were issued M66 but I carried my own M19 about half of the time. Both were excellent. For those who say, "But its only 6 shots," they've never seen a trained shooter fire and reload.
Firearms instructor here: Most happy to learn varying methods. What I particularly enjoyed was your wording/verbiage on how to get the message of safety across at the beginning of each practice with each platform. Thanks very much for everything. Peace Be The Journey! Semper Fi!
I store my Home Defense Rem. 870 similar to yours however I engage the safety on the empty chamber so when cocked the safety is already engaged. I have been bird hunting since I was 14 (69 now) and when I hunt I am extremely familiar with keeping my forefinger on the safety and slipping it into the trigger guard in a nano second - just natural to me. I figure the every so slight delay is well worth the added safety and I am very familiar with the guns operation. The part of my forefinger that disengages the safety is not the tip but the are just behind the first joint - so the finger goes naturally into the trigger guard. The other thing I wanted to mention is that with your autoloading 11-87 I might suggest releasing the firing pin (pull the trigger on the EMPTY chamber) BEFORE loading the magazine. This will prevent fatigue occurring to the spring while in storage / ready mode. There are many theories and different beliefs on how springs wear over the years (a subject for another day) but to me less pressure on the spring just makes sense. Your subject matter here is excellent as there are many newbies that have no clues!
On the pumps you can leave the dummy rounded chambered, then pull the trigger. Leave the dummy in place. Eject it for the first firing chamber load. You can leave the safety off this way if environmental safety conditions permit.
HR thanks again. Your skill to educate shooters is excellent. Too many YT content creators are overbearing and too "loud." You have real world experience to draw upon fold that into a great presentation. Keep up the efforts to educate and enlighten.
I am loving the 870. I have to admit I did not like them for the longest time but all of a sudden in the last couple videos I am like "man that's just has a classic look to it". Really considering one now.
Great pointers HR! It will be interesting to hear if the video is de-monitized because of the "Evil black rifle!" If you had it colorized in "olive drab" or "bright turquoise" it probably wouldn't even be noticed by the "mind control" police! Lol! Keep up your great work! Enjoy it very much!
Very nice presentation. All good points to be prepared. Rifle or shotgun ready, handgun to back up, and good tactical light to illuminate. As former LEO, we use to use Maglites and revolvers, but the rail installed can be way lighter.(On semi autos). Good luck.
Just a matter of personal opinion when I release the hammer so that the slide is operable I have a snap cap in the chamber so that I am not endangering the possibility of the firing pin breaking. Remote I know. But when I cycle my first round in the snap cap comes flying out and then I cycling a live round. Otherwise this is exactly what I do in my house.
HD? AR with white light near bed. Chambered, on safe. Bed defense? (He’s almost on you when you waken): hi-capacity, metal framed 9mm, with white light, on night stand. Chambered. Preferably hammer fired, but metal framed in case it has to double as a bludgeon. But that’s all for nighttime. During the day, when I’m not groggy but awake and alert, pistol at 3 o’clock in an OWB, unloaded, with a full mag on left side OWB carrier for daylight home carry.
Cruiser ready...remember the "Slick on the right ready to fight" pertaining to the safety and a loaded chamber poem I guess it is. I used my own shotguns some as well the Beneli M1 was the best with extra full choke, shot 00 buckshot like a rifle at 25 yards, fist size group. You know what the first shotgun I used believe it or not a Winchester 1897 20" riot gun. Belonged to a Deputy I rode with due to vehicle shortages. The great 870 was what was eventually issued initially we had an arms locker with shotguns and US M1A folding stock so called paratrooper model surplus. Even had bayonets in the locker. Old troops always got the 12 gauge I used the M1A1 .30 carbine. These were eventually traded and we were issued the Remingtons.
Bayonets! You've got to wonder what the plan might have been for those! I seem to remember years ago someone was manufacturing bayonets for a Glock pistols. Again, you've got to wonder just precisely how they thought those were going to be used.
Thank you for the video. I was just about to ask how you keep your AR ready, but luckily I waited until the latter part of the video. I think some reputable folks talk about keeping a round in the chamber, so I guess the choice is either round-in-chamber/safety on, or empty chamber/hammer down. I think I’m more comfortable with your choice.
Much needed video, Chief Funk! Most available courses address handgun issues only, and I'd bet most non-LE gun owners are seeing these points for the first time. My only suggestion would be to retitle the video, "Is Your Home Defense Long Gun Ready?"
Good video. I think more people get into trouble with their house long guns trying to unload a live round from the chamber, after the situation goes stagnant or there’s no further sign of danger. Maybe a video showing how to clear their long guns?
I keep my shotgun in cruiser ready but with the slide locked. I will change that now, the way you demonstrated made a lot of sense to me. I think I will still keep my AR stored chambered with the safety on.
I generally don't keep long guns ready for home defense, currently I happen to have my AR15 in the bedroom. Full magazine empty chamber. I keep a DA/SA 9mm by the bed because I don't want my guns locked, in case anyone needs to get to them quickly, but I don't want my kids accidentally being able to pull the trigger. I also like magazine disconnects for home defense, so I can keep a loaded gun, but take out the magazine and the adults can keep it so the kids can't fire the gun.
Very clear explanation/demo of “Home Defense Ready”, HR, thanks. I was trying to go over all this years ago with an elderly female co-worker, who was not accustomed to firearms. There was a sale on at a local sporting goods store. $250. With a rebate for Rem 870 Express 20 gauge. When I was demonstrating/showing the location/function of the bolt release, tiny lever next to the trigger guard, the blank look on her face concerned me. Didn’t have a chance to visit a range with her. Tried to cover exactly what you did in your video. Also got the impression that her interest level in guns was so low, she might not ever load or test fire it. As in owning/possession of a gun was a talisman against real and imagined threats.
Your mentioning using dummy ammunition brought a question to me. I will leave it unasked, of course. Seriously, this is good instruction. I am not that familiar with shotguns in general.
at this point the one 870 from about 1966 wingmaster... it was in terrible shape and I got it free from a friend.. I then spent too much on stocks and new slugger barrel etc.. but.. I love this shotgun.
I keep a handgun near and ready, with an unloaded 870 locked up but accessible with ammo and a 5 round cuff on the stock. Even though an old design,I still use an old Winchester 97 with barrel cut to 20 inches. Used that design for CAS for years, and feel it is a superior design for home defense especially for less experienced shooters. If you pump a round into the chamber, with a hammerless shotgun it is more complicated to unload. With the 97 just drop hammer safely to half cock until Adrenalin stops pumping
sorry you got monatized . I wish you tube would stop that . your teaching us to be safe as we defend our home & lives . we all know if the TH-cam people were in trouble or worried about breakin they would be watching your channel
Love it. Thank you for verifying that the way I store my home self defense gun is accurate. Other than safety not having hammer can cocked and round in the chamber for long term storage is the hammer/firing pin can be weakened and fail! You da bomb 💣
Thank you Mr funk your videos are fantastic and informative.. assures me that I have been storing my shotgun correctly in my bedrooms quick access gun safe
I keep my faithful Remington 870 near my bed in cruiser ready condition as you describe. When I am loading however, I rack the slide to ensure an empty chamber and empty magazine, then cycle the slide forward but I do not pull the trigger. I find that keeping the hammer to the rear and locking the action keeps the slide from moving and interfering with the loading operation. I then load the magazine and then drop the hammer.
I am curious about the case of the AR-15 (or any semi-automatic rifle): Is there any good reason that in order to make it home defense ready, we don't keep it fully loaded, one round in the chamber and safety on? To me, with a semi-automatic rifle, keeping a round in the chamber and safety on is easier to make it ready to fire by turning off the safety, instead of pulling the charging handle on a gun that has no round in the chamber. But it is just my habit.
Rifles kept round in chamber ,depending on climate hot humid may experience stuck case in the chamber after firing or even just on a manual check.Rusulting in the rim tearing off from the back of the case. Pistols tend not to do this cause of the shortness of the case. Also because shouldered cartridges tend to do this.
When it is danger time, from experience, I can say, we as humans have a tendency to be dumb. Why? Adrenaline and fear. A life and death situation is scary, no doubt. The human mind is trying to work it all out. Adrenaline makes fine motor skills very tough to control. You think the safety might be easy to manipulate, in theory, you are right. The fear and adrenaline will argue with that. Pulling that charging handle will be using gross motor skills. Easier to do for most folks. As Howard said in the video, these are time tested ways of ensuring safety. A bit of practice and it is second nature in no time. Chris and Mark's comments as SPOT ON!
Great video HR. Speaking of shotguns, for home defense, I hope you can.do some kind of comparison video, demonstrating the use of a 12 gauge vs. 20 gauge shotgun, and which is more practical. Thanks.
Excellent home defense ready shotgun/rifle video. I appreciate it even more coming from someone that has the experience of law enforcement and not just the experience in the military. As much as both sides has the knowledge about firearms, your law enforcement experience conveys a more accurate understanding of “reality” on the home safety front. For those who have multiple shotguns and or rifles, one dedicated for home defense, how often would you take out the shells and clean or lube your shotgun if it is not uses very often ?
Department received an annual cleaning and inspection. That was adequate for our 870's that lived in cruisers all the time and were exposed to summer heat and humidity, winter cold, and everythiung in between. I suspect that would be a more than adequate schedule for home defense shotguns.
EXCELLENT PRESENTATION. I HAVE NEVER UNDERSTOOD THIS TERM "CRUISER READY" UNTIL NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY BERETTA 1301 WILL NOW BE READY FOR BIZ SHOULD I NEED IT IN AN EMERGENCY IN MY HOME. '
My only quibble would be that I would decock the semi automatic shotgun as well, to reduce stress on the hammer spring. I don’t know that those springs are designed to be cocked for potentially years on end. Otherwise great video as always!
Interesting. My shotguns are pump or break open. Strange that you can’t pull the trigger with an empty mag tube. How are you supposed to decock an empty gun?
Excellent educational/practical video. I sure hope this educational material is not "defunded". YT is obviously a major player in the "defund the po-leece" movement at times.
Hey brother, Semper Fi! By the way, that Tisas .45 is still going strong!!! All the Glock guys like to shoot a mag or two thru it. Thanks again for the great review.
@@hrfunk Inquisitive paws inserted into trigger guards while other paws mess with safeties comes to mind. That's why my shotgun has a full tube but nothing in the chamber, for example.
Good morning HR. As always enjoyed the video. On the pump shotgun having a loaded tube and slide locked could be a deterrent to a child or untrained person from using the gun. With the AR I favor safety on, bolt back, and loaded mag inserted. For immediate use I have a 40 cal Sig 226 with tritium sights, mounted light loaded, and decocked bedside.
The issue I see with storing an AR in that condition is that it doesn't take much of a jolt for the ball to release. If that were to happen, I could foresee various problems it might cause.
HRFunk is fast approaching (maybe already there) the status of Hickock45 and Paul Harrell. Very knowledgeable and professional guy. And one of the few to respond to posts from his fans. Looks like a guy I’d like to have a beer with.
Great video. I agree with storing your defense shotgun in the cruiser ready mode. A little practice and a person can rack a round in very quickly without having to fumble for a safety in a stressful situation. Unfortunately I know people with home defense guns that have never practiced. I switched to handguns for home defense and also have them loaded but with an empty chamber. I might have missed it, but have you ever used a Mossberg Shockwave?
I settled my internal struggle long ago and said, why not both? For defense, I prefer the Mossbergs. I have a 500 and a 590A1. For bird and small animals, I like my Rem 870(s) in various gauges. I like the safety up top on the Mossbergs. Everyone has their preferences. I know folks that love where the 870 puts the safety.
@@sisleymichael I like the fit and finish on the Remington for hunting whitetail Deer 🦌...I was thinking about getting a Browning pump it's the best of both worlds it's safety is on the top like the 500 and it won't rattle when you have a sling on when walk in the woods...But they are $800 bucks
Sir, you are a great representative for law men and firearms owners. I really appreciate your channel sir.
Thank you Eric!
@@hrfunk blushing hr?
"Is Your Home Defense Gun Ready?"
Let me fix that title for you: *Are **-Is-** Your Home Defense Gun[s] Ready?*
Good fix!
Thank you for your detailed and informative explanation Howard. This is exactly how I have had my long guns staged for years. The fact that you are/were an LEO (as well as a Marine!) adds even more credence to your advice.
My home defense gun is always ready. Of course I follow all safety recommendations trigger lock, inside a locked gun box, inside s fireproof safe. It is so assuring to know if ever needed it will only take 5 minutes to open everything cock and fire.
Good beginner video. Cruiser ready is the way to go in a vehicle, or at home. Mine are pumps with 7 round tubes I load to six, with a side saddle of slugs. Gives me the option of loading the last round, or first as a slug, as opposed to 00 buck, or to mix it up as needed. 😉
One in the Pipe...always.
Man, you are always dressed to impress. You can tell that you are prior military. I wasn't in the military but I have always looked up to the old school guys and gals that keep themselves up. Thanks for the video, it was very informative. My shotgun, along with a lever action 357 and a lever action.22, is on a gun rack on my wall, out of reach of my grandkids. I have raccoons and opossum that get into the chicken coop sometimes so I need quick access to my.22 and the shotgun is for any would be idiot that wants to break in my house while I am there.
EXCELLENT video, due to the clarity and thoroughness with which Howard explained and demonstrated “Home Defense Ready” procedures for various firearms!
For the VERY little it’s worth, my only immediately ready long-gun is a 12 Gauge Remington 870. LONG ago, I was carefully instructed how - and why - to place it in Cruiser Ready condition (by my FBI Agent father, who was VERY intolerant of errors), and I have never deviated from that process in 60+ years. It is BOTH entirely safe and very fast, should a threat appear.
I’d add a brief final comment. While that 870 is Cruiser Ready as I type this, I have no REALISTIC plans to ever deploy it. Defensive strategies MUST be scenario dependent. My wife and I live in a townhouse (the children are all 45+ years old), so the 870 is available, in the most unlikely event that there is some sort of cataclysmic situation . . . BUT, I really don’t want to contemplate what #4 Buck could due in a neighbor’s dwelling, no less #00 Buck.
Your townhouse, if built after the 1960's, has at least a cinder block firewall between you and your adjacent neighbor.
@@papimaximus95
Thanks, but it was built in the early 1980’s . . . and I know what a masonry wall looks like. Please remember that building codes vary by state (and often by local venue). I don’t doubt that YOUR code requires masonry wall between townhomes, but mine does not.
@Echosdad2
Thanks, but there’s always a .38 +P, .357 magnum, .40 S&W, .45 Colt, .45 ACP, or 9x19mm at hand.
There are probably more 870s standing Sentinel around the country than anyone would ever imagine. Thanks for watching Roy!
@@hrfunk
FAR more to the point, Howard, THANK YOU for all your efforts, your creativity, your expertise, your editing and cinematography, and your truly superior verbal skills.
An 870 20 ga is my home defense gun along with my m & p 2.0 9mm 5” barrel. Thanks for showing things plainly and easy to understand, this was very helpful and good information 👍👍
Thanks Lance. I'm glad it was helpful!
Very good, simple way to explain SECURITY storage, prepare a shotgun for defense. I'm not a huge fan of pump 12ga 20ga models for personal defense but as seen, it can be done safely.
Cruiser or Home ready as you demonstrate is exactly how I keep my 870 Police Magnum at home and in my truck. Good video.
"Two words: Ready !!"
We keep loaded guns all around the house, mostly revolvers...the exception is the coach gun, the safety engaged on it...
870 Completely intuitive, no thought required. Hunted with for many years. Can operate 870 in sleep, or in any situation.
On an AR, why not leave the bolt/action back? That way just have to hit bolt release to chamber a round.
If the rifle is jarred, it's very easy for the bolt to move forward on its own. I would prefer not to have that happen.
Brother Howard, what a great video, especially in light of first time gun owners due to the pandemic. I've been keeping my "hot" home defense long guns as you describe for decades now, but this is very useful for new long gun owners.
One thing that I think it worth noting is that some students will ask me, "Won't it take too much time to get the gun into action?" I tell them that your home defense plan should have enough barriers to undetected entry that you should have enough time to retrieve your long gun from safe ready storage that this won't be a problem. I tell them that in properly secured hone, at a minimum, your adversary should have to break glass, splinter wood, set off an alarm, or alert a noisy dog, or a combination of these things.
I have good locks that are used religiously on solid metal doors. My windows, all first floor are pinned shut. You can break into my home because any space can be breached, but you can't do it without giving me a lot of early warning time. So I keep my carry handgun fully loaded and when retiring for the evening place in a quick access combination gun box near the bed which also houses a larger and more capable handgun with a dedicated light on it. When I wake up and dress, the carry handgun goes back on my person and the box with the large handgun is locked. My home defense shotgun and a rifle are kept on the long gun side of a standard gun safe that has an electronic combination lock, in the ready states you have described. I have the option of managing an intrusion with just a handgun, or taking a few extra seconds to get a long gun. At no time do I have an unsecured firearm in my home for others to find, misuse, steal, or to use against me. In my mind, a loaded weapon should be either on you, or locked up.
I was thinking more about new long-gun owners when I was recording this video. I think the points you brought up in this post would also be beneficial for them. Hopefully they read through the comments!
Thanks
Thank you for another in a long line of excellent videos, Devil Dog. What you described here is exactly how I store my Remington 11-87 shotgun with the 18.5 inch barrel for home defense. In fact, I think it was one of your older videos from where I learned this storage practice.
Always Chambered ..ALWAYS ..... DO NOT TAKE HIS ADVICE ....
Why not?
I agree, the AR15 should stay loaded. Your assailant shouldn't hear you rack it.
The shotgun is different only because it isn't drop safe.
This is by far the best presentation and explanation of how to get your shotgun in the cruiser ready condition that I have seen on TH-cam or anywhere else. Not one wasted syllable or movement. I will be sharing this video with some people in my family that need to see it.👍
Thank you Chad!
Yep. My 870 is stand by ready Semper fi my brother
Semper Fi Al!
Cruiser ready is the way to go. Lots of folks don't realize shotguns aren't drop-safe with a round in the chamber.
AS ALWAYS...another great video. Former LEO myself yet I always find your vids informative and professional. Between you and Harrell you guys are all we need. Thanks
Thank you!
The chamber flags you use at the ranger also work well for quick access storage. You, and anyone else, can verify at a glance the status of the chamber. Some of them are even designed so you can directly rack the flag out to chamber a round from the magazine.
Just as important in knowing how to load a tube fed shotgun or rifle, is how to unload it without having to chamber each round. At least in my opinion. Permits for safer overall use of the firearm. Good presentation funk.
Thanks. Maybe I’ll cover unloading in a future video.
My home defense is a Model 10 snub (former service revolver) w/speed loaders & a flashlight in the nightstand drawer. Good video, I remember the “cruiser ready” condition.
Model 10 snubby. That works. It's like an old Chevy pickup truck with a straight 6, 289. It will take you wherever you need to go.
We were issued M66 but I carried my own M19 about half of the time. Both were excellent. For those who say, "But its only 6 shots," they've never seen a trained shooter fire and reload.
Firearms instructor here: Most happy to learn varying methods. What I particularly enjoyed was your wording/verbiage on how to get the message of safety across at the beginning of each practice with each platform. Thanks very much for everything. Peace Be The Journey! Semper Fi!
Thanks Barney. Semper Fi!
This has be be a rhetorical question!
Criminally underrated channel! I mean it! Great, well educated advice!
Thank you!
I store my Home Defense Rem. 870 similar to yours however I engage the safety on the empty chamber so when cocked the safety is already engaged. I have been bird hunting since I was 14 (69 now) and when I hunt I am extremely familiar with keeping my forefinger on the safety and slipping it into the trigger guard in a nano second - just natural to me. I figure the every so slight delay is well worth the added safety and I am very familiar with the guns operation. The part of my forefinger that disengages the safety is not the tip but the are just behind the first joint - so the finger goes naturally into the trigger guard. The other thing I wanted to mention is that with your autoloading 11-87 I might suggest releasing the firing pin (pull the trigger on the EMPTY chamber) BEFORE loading the magazine. This will prevent fatigue occurring to the spring while in storage / ready mode. There are many theories and different beliefs on how springs wear over the years (a subject for another day) but to me less pressure on the spring just makes sense. Your subject matter here is excellent as there are many newbies that have no clues!
I agree. I tend to leave all my firearms in a "soft condition" meaning there are no springs under tension when not going to be immediately fired.
As I mentioned in the video, the 11-87 will not permit loading of the magazine when the hammer is down.
On the pumps you can leave the dummy rounded chambered, then pull the trigger. Leave the dummy in place. Eject it for the first firing chamber load. You can leave the safety off this way if environmental safety conditions permit.
HR thanks again. Your skill to educate shooters is excellent. Too many YT content creators are overbearing and too "loud." You have real world experience to draw upon fold that into a great presentation. Keep up the efforts to educate and enlighten.
Will do John. Thanks for watching!
I am loving the 870. I have to admit I did not like them for the longest time but all of a sudden in the last couple videos I am like "man that's just has a classic look to it". Really considering one now.
Mossberg 500/590 all day. Tang safety for life.
Most long guns are not drop safe, unlike most handguns. The system you explained is well suited for a home defense long gun.
Great pointers HR! It will be interesting to hear if the video is de-monitized because of the "Evil black rifle!" If you had it colorized in "olive drab" or "bright turquoise" it probably wouldn't even be noticed by the "mind control" police! Lol! Keep up your great work! Enjoy it very much!
Thanks Dan! Maybe I should paint one pink!
@@hrfunk Just say your AR 'identifies' as pink. LOL
@@tomtruesdale6901 -- Better yet, say that the AR identifies as a muzzle-loading musket!
I wasn't ready for this!
Very nice presentation. All good points to be prepared. Rifle or shotgun ready, handgun to back up, and good tactical light to illuminate. As former LEO, we use to use Maglites and revolvers, but the rail installed can be way lighter.(On semi autos). Good luck.
Thank you David!
Well said!” Clitch clatch “ is probably all you need, once they hear that pump they will freeze from intimidation!
Just a matter of personal opinion when I release the hammer so that the slide is operable I have a snap cap in the chamber so that I am not endangering the possibility of the firing pin breaking. Remote I know. But when I cycle my first round in the snap cap comes flying out and then I cycling a live round. Otherwise this is exactly what I do in my house.
My dad would kick my butt if he saw me dry firing a weapon. Snap caps are worth the 12 to 15 bucks.
I don't see any problem with that. Thanks for watching!
HD? AR with white light near bed. Chambered, on safe.
Bed defense? (He’s almost on you when you waken): hi-capacity, metal framed 9mm, with white light, on night stand. Chambered. Preferably hammer fired, but metal framed in case it has to double as a bludgeon.
But that’s all for nighttime. During the day, when I’m not groggy but awake and alert, pistol at 3 o’clock in an OWB, unloaded, with a full mag on left side OWB carrier for daylight home carry.
Condition two as we called it in the Corps and that's okay but I prefer on safe condition one for handguns and shotguns.
Man, I love the sound of racking the pump scatter gun
Cruiser ready...remember the
"Slick on the right ready to fight" pertaining to the safety and a loaded chamber poem I guess it is. I used my own shotguns some as well the Beneli M1 was the best with extra full choke, shot 00 buckshot like a rifle at 25 yards, fist size group. You know what the first shotgun I used believe it or not a Winchester 1897 20" riot gun. Belonged to a Deputy I rode with due to vehicle shortages. The great 870 was what was eventually issued initially we had an arms locker with shotguns and US M1A folding stock so called paratrooper model surplus. Even had bayonets in the locker. Old troops always got the 12 gauge I used the M1A1 .30 carbine. These were eventually traded and we were issued the Remingtons.
Bayonets! You've got to wonder what the plan might have been for those! I seem to remember years ago someone was manufacturing bayonets for a Glock pistols. Again, you've got to wonder just precisely how they thought those were going to be used.
Great demonstration. Thanks.
You're welcome Steve!
That will do nicely! Thank you for the instruction.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the post. Great concise job.
You're welcome!
This was a great video and public service to teach people how to store/deploy firearms and what state to keep them in when needed. Thanks!
My pleasure KD. Thanks for watching!
GREAT INFO! You're never tool old to Learn something New.
Thanks for that refresher course! Excellent presentation.
Thank you for the video. I was just about to ask how you keep your AR ready, but luckily I waited until the latter part of the video. I think some reputable folks talk about keeping a round in the chamber, so I guess the choice is either round-in-chamber/safety on, or empty chamber/hammer down. I think I’m more comfortable with your choice.
Great explanations for the new firearms owners!
Absolutely! 100%. We all need refresher training too.
@@sisleymichael yep!
Good discussion and lesson for many of us . Thank you till next time.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
thank you i learned alot
Thanks alot on the slide action i just changed mine the way u showed
You’re welcome!
Much needed video, Chief Funk! Most available courses address handgun issues only, and I'd bet most non-LE gun owners are seeing these points for the first time. My only suggestion would be to retitle the video, "Is Your Home Defense Long Gun Ready?"
Thank you!
At the MCSF school we used the 870, we swapped them for the M590 on ship. Absolute beast for home defense!
Good video. I think more people get into trouble with their house long guns trying to unload a live round from the chamber, after the situation goes stagnant or there’s no further sign of danger. Maybe a video showing how to clear their long guns?
Some others have asked for that too. I have a concern, though, since the unloading procedure can vary somewhat from one model to the next.
I keep my shotgun in cruiser ready but with the slide locked. I will change that now, the way you demonstrated made a lot of sense to me. I think I will still keep my AR stored chambered with the safety on.
love your videos sir and this one did not disappoint!!
I generally don't keep long guns ready for home defense, currently I happen to have my AR15 in the bedroom. Full magazine empty chamber.
I keep a DA/SA 9mm by the bed because I don't want my guns locked, in case anyone needs to get to them quickly, but I don't want my kids accidentally being able to pull the trigger.
I also like magazine disconnects for home defense, so I can keep a loaded gun, but take out the magazine and the adults can keep it so the kids can't fire the gun.
Very clear explanation/demo of “Home Defense Ready”, HR, thanks. I was trying to go over all this years ago with an elderly female co-worker, who was not accustomed to firearms. There was a sale on at a local sporting goods store. $250. With a rebate for Rem 870 Express 20 gauge. When I was demonstrating/showing the location/function of the bolt release, tiny lever next to the trigger guard, the blank look on her face concerned me. Didn’t have a chance to visit a range with her. Tried to cover exactly what you did in your video. Also got the impression that her interest level in guns was so low, she might not ever load or test fire it. As in owning/possession of a gun was a talisman against real and imagined threats.
I have a feeling she's not the only one to ever believe that.
Another great topic, demonstration and video.
Thanks Don!
Your mentioning using dummy ammunition brought a question to me. I will leave it unasked, of course. Seriously, this is good instruction. I am not that familiar with shotguns in general.
at this point the one 870 from about 1966 wingmaster... it was in terrible shape and I got it free from a friend.. I then spent too much on stocks and new slugger barrel etc.. but.. I love this shotgun.
I keep a handgun near and ready, with an unloaded 870 locked up but accessible with ammo and a 5 round cuff on the stock. Even though an old design,I still use an old Winchester 97 with barrel cut to 20 inches. Used that design for CAS for years, and feel it is a superior design for home defense especially for less experienced shooters. If you pump a round into the chamber, with a hammerless shotgun it is more complicated to unload. With the 97 just drop hammer safely to half cock until Adrenalin stops pumping
sorry you got monatized . I wish you tube would stop that . your teaching us to be safe as we defend our home & lives . we all know if the TH-cam people were in trouble or worried about breakin they would be watching your channel
Thanks Fred! Amazingly, I managed to get their decision reversed.
Very nice video there H R. IF I had any firearms they would keep in the "home defense" mode.
You poor unfortunate soul 😉.
Love it. Thank you for verifying that the way I store my home self defense gun is accurate. Other than safety not having hammer can cocked and round in the chamber for long term storage is the hammer/firing pin can be weakened and fail! You da bomb 💣
Thanks, and Semper Fi! I have never heard of a main spring or firing pin spring failing as a result of how the shotgun was stored.
Thank you Mr funk your videos are fantastic and informative.. assures me that I have been storing my shotgun correctly in my bedrooms quick access gun safe
I am sure the founding fathers would be most pleased with you! Thank you for your continued service to our country by educating our citizens!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching Scott!
Well done chief 🇺🇸
Thank you !
I only have my pistol loaded and ready.
The rifles and ammunition are in a gun safe in my bedroom.
For HD I prefer loaded chamber, safety on condition but this is good info!
Thank you..cruiser ready shotgun...🥰
In the words of Montgomery Burns, "Excellent".
I keep my faithful Remington 870 near my bed in cruiser ready condition as you describe. When I am loading however, I rack the slide to ensure an empty chamber and empty magazine, then cycle the slide forward but I do not pull the trigger. I find that keeping the hammer to the rear and locking the action keeps the slide from moving and interfering with the loading operation. I then load the magazine and then drop the hammer.
HR ,Great Video! The Shotgun is the most effective home defense firearm .
good vid...picked a few good reminder points; great info for newbies & experienced alike...
I am curious about the case of the AR-15 (or any semi-automatic rifle): Is there any good reason that in order to make it home defense ready, we don't keep it fully loaded, one round in the chamber and safety on?
To me, with a semi-automatic rifle, keeping a round in the chamber and safety on is easier to make it ready to fire by turning off the safety, instead of pulling the charging handle on a gun that has no round in the chamber.
But it is just my habit.
Hammer and or firing pin spring. Don't need your springs under tension for long periods of time.
Rifles kept round in chamber ,depending on climate hot humid may experience stuck case in the chamber after firing or even just on a manual check.Rusulting in the rim tearing off from the back of the case. Pistols tend not to do this cause of the shortness of the case. Also because shouldered cartridges tend to do this.
@@chrislang5659 Yes.
@@markburk7022 Yes.
When it is danger time, from experience, I can say, we as humans have a tendency to be dumb. Why? Adrenaline and fear. A life and death situation is scary, no doubt. The human mind is trying to work it all out. Adrenaline makes fine motor skills very tough to control. You think the safety might be easy to manipulate, in theory, you are right. The fear and adrenaline will argue with that. Pulling that charging handle will be using gross motor skills. Easier to do for most folks. As Howard said in the video, these are time tested ways of ensuring safety. A bit of practice and it is second nature in no time. Chris and Mark's comments as SPOT ON!
Great video HR. Speaking of shotguns, for home defense, I hope you can.do some kind of comparison video, demonstrating the use of a 12 gauge vs. 20 gauge shotgun, and which is more practical. Thanks.
I’ll see if I can come up with something, but that might be a difficult video to produce.
Excellent home defense ready shotgun/rifle video. I appreciate it even more coming from someone that has the experience of law enforcement and not just the experience in the military. As much as both sides has the knowledge about firearms, your law enforcement experience conveys a more accurate understanding of “reality” on the home safety front.
For those who have multiple shotguns and or rifles, one dedicated for home defense, how often would you take out the shells and clean or lube your shotgun if it is not uses very often ?
Department received an annual cleaning and inspection. That was adequate for our 870's that lived in cruisers all the time and were exposed to summer heat and humidity, winter cold, and everythiung in between. I suspect that would be a more than adequate schedule for home defense shotguns.
Much appreciated 👍
Thank you
EXCELLENT PRESENTATION. I HAVE NEVER UNDERSTOOD THIS TERM "CRUISER READY" UNTIL NOW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY BERETTA 1301 WILL NOW BE READY FOR BIZ SHOULD I NEED IT
IN AN EMERGENCY IN MY HOME.
'
Good! I’m glad the video was helpful.
My only quibble would be that I would decock the semi automatic shotgun as well, to reduce stress on the hammer spring. I don’t know that those springs are designed to be cocked for potentially years on end. Otherwise great video as always!
With my 11-87, I would have to de-cock after the magazine is loaded. I didn’t want to demonstrate that.
Interesting. My shotguns are pump or break open. Strange that you can’t pull the trigger with an empty mag tube. How are you supposed to decock an empty gun?
That’s how I store my Mossberg 590, but I’m more likely to grab a handgun. That’s the scenario I’ve rehearsed in my dreams, so…. 🤠
I load a snap cap into my HD shotgun then pull the trigger so the hammer/firing pin is hitting a cushion then load up.
Someone below mentioned they do the same thing. I don't see any problem with that.
Very valuable training! Thank you.
My pleasure!
The only thing I would have liked to see was the unloading routine of the shotgun magazine to prepare it for cruiser ready condition.
Maybe I’ll cover that in a future video. Thanks for watching!
Excellent educational/practical video. I sure hope this educational material is not "defunded". YT is obviously a major player in the "defund the po-leece" movement at times.
Hey brother, Semper Fi! By the way, that Tisas .45 is still going strong!!! All the Glock guys like to shoot a mag or two thru it. Thanks again for the great review.
I’m glad it’s working well for you. Thanks for watching Marty!
You should do a vid comparing the gas system and operation of the 1187 and the AR.. "gas oper, semi auto, air cooled, etc"
I’ll give that some thought. Thanks for watching!
Well said.
Thank you!
One of my main considerations is whether or not my cats will be able to get at the firearm in question.
What do you think will happen if they do?
@@hrfunk Inquisitive paws inserted into trigger guards while other paws mess with safeties comes to mind. That's why my shotgun has a full tube but nothing in the chamber, for example.
Good morning HR. As always enjoyed the video. On the pump shotgun having a loaded tube and slide locked could be a deterrent to a child or untrained person from using the gun. With the AR I favor safety on, bolt back, and loaded mag inserted. For immediate use I have a 40 cal Sig 226 with tritium sights, mounted light loaded, and decocked bedside.
The issue I see with storing an AR in that condition is that it doesn't take much of a jolt for the ball to release. If that were to happen, I could foresee various problems it might cause.
HRFunk is fast approaching (maybe already there) the status of Hickock45 and Paul Harrell. Very knowledgeable and professional guy. And one of the few to respond to posts from his fans. Looks like a guy I’d like to have a beer with.
Thank you so much! If we ever meet I'll take you up on that!
Great video. Very informative. Thank you so much.
My pleasure Fred!
Howard,mine is a mossberg 930JM PRO 22” barrel/Mesa tactical pistol grip stock/9 rds of 00 buck…maybe a little overkill?!?!
Naa!
Ready, willing, and able. Shuck-shuck!
Great video. I agree with storing your defense shotgun in the cruiser ready mode. A little practice and a person can rack a round in very quickly without having to fumble for a safety in a stressful situation. Unfortunately I know people with home defense guns that have never practiced. I switched to handguns for home defense and also have them loaded but with an empty chamber. I might have missed it, but have you ever used a Mossberg Shockwave?
No, not a Shockwave. I have used other Mossbergs.
Of course. I watched all of the important westerns. I'll just do what they did.
A Shotgun is not a Novel idea for home defense. Plus, it is as valid as it has ever been. Boom, you are incapacitated.
Love my 870...but I know lot of people love that 500...
I settled my internal struggle long ago and said, why not both? For defense, I prefer the Mossbergs. I have a 500 and a 590A1. For bird and small animals, I like my Rem 870(s) in various gauges. I like the safety up top on the Mossbergs. Everyone has their preferences. I know folks that love where the 870 puts the safety.
@@sisleymichael I like the fit and finish on the Remington for hunting whitetail Deer 🦌...I was thinking about getting a Browning pump it's the best of both worlds it's safety is on the top like the 500 and it won't rattle when you have a sling on when walk in the woods...But they are $800 bucks
Good video. Next time you can do a house tour showing where your guns are hidden.
GASP!