Just swapped my 28 inch barrel for an 18 1/2 inch on my 870, and it is in fact leaning up against the nightstand.
“...and it is in fact leaning up against the nightstand.”
I have #4 buck in mine and slugs and 00 buck in the shell holder on the butt. Birdshot is for birds.
Shotguns do not have the safety mechanisms that hand guns have for being dropped (or falling over leaning against something), so it is best NOT to have a shell in the chamber even if the safety is on.
I have mine stored magazine full minus one (less stress on the spring), chamber empty, safety off.
Dude...
What did you do with the 28-inch barrel?
I’m a goose hunter.