How many to have in the magazine tube while stored

[kilrain]

I keep the magazine fully loaded, as it was designed to be that way. My anecdotal basis for this is 25 years in LE(got about 5 years left) carrying/having an 870 pretty much every day, whether it was my personal gun or the gun issued to a car. I've seen several things fail on 870s over the years including ejectors, front sight base(not the bead, the soldered on base popped off) and stocks among a few. I've never seen a magazine spring lose enough tension to fail.

Like all things mechanical, I'm sure it's a possibility, however life is a crap shoot and you have to play the odds, odds are it isn't an issue in my experience. Good luck and stay safe.

[Richard Sveum]

Same here. 20 years in and have never seen a tube spring fail. Been shooting 870's since 1985.

[USAF Shooter]

I have a Nordic +3 mag extension on my 870, and I keep 7 rds in my gun at all times, plus the 6 in my sidesaddle. I like to be prepared. I change out my spring every 2 years just to be safe.

[ChillyB]

Stuffed full, empty chamber.