shotgun for hiking and camping?

[BADUNAME57]

Hey guy, I'm new here, new to auto-loader/military/assault type suff, have been a serious hunter/casual taret shooter/plinker though for almost 30 years of my adult life. I had it so bad, I'd watch the sun set no matter where I was or what I was doing on the very last day of hunting season.........and shed a tear or two.......not just once, but usually. 15 years ago I became disabled, and quit hunting. I never expected I'd ever do that. I'm now 59. Now, after all those years, and with things the way they are in the world today, I've become very interested in military/auto-loader and assault type weapons that I once never considered. Never thought I'd do that either. Another reason for my gun hiatis was that we lost one of our boys to accidental gunshot and my wife tried to stop the bleeding 'til the ambulance arrived, but he got the femoral artery. My 870s and 788s and pre '64 30.30s, and sweet 16 have been covered by thick dust in the closet since then, cause it's hard to talk to the wife about wanting to buy another gun, but I'm now trying to impress upon her the need to own more of a practical defense gun. Now, all that said, guys he had to sell his 9mm handgun, and is asking about a gun he already has, not should he buy one like yours. All you guys sound like you have some nice weapons yourselves, he's asking abouthis Pardner Pump Protector, and in the scenario you discribe son, it sounds to me like albeit heavier/bulkier than your 9mm, ammo too, an in-expensive, Parkerized, versitile pump 12ga would seem about perfect to me. Weight and bulk might be the only negative about it. Kentucky is beautiful, especially in the Spring when the Cherry trees blossem, and the fall foliage colors may dictate that you bring along a good camera. You said private property, so guys if people see him and call police, he's should have no problems. You didn't say sir what time of year, or if you would be walking on short trips from a main campsite, or relocating camp daily, so weight/bulk could be more an issue in warm weather, I couldn't advise on the shotgun scabbard, except if it's not too big to carry along, it might be benificial. Parkerized gun, and having a scabbard would make a cheap clone like that easy to lay on the ground if need be, or stored or even lashed to a backpack, without fear of marring your weapon. I want one of these myself for just this reason. Great kick-around gun. The skeleton frame combo/survival type .22 over.410s would be good light weight choices based on weight and versatility, howevever you were talking about what you have, and you can actually fire quite a variety of stuff from your 12ga, even less than lethal, or flares. What ever you do, consider putting together a first-aid/gunshot/trauma kit to carry with you, and learn how to use it. It seems prudent if you're gonna be out on large private acreage. Happy trails!

 

[Victor1Echo]

It is heavy for a shotgun, but will do what you need.

 

[MCgunner]

I agree with the comment that I wouldn't take a 7 lb gun back packing. I read the requirements as a walk about gun on one's on property. For that, a shotgun can be handy for targets of opportunity, a jumped rabbit, a hog (slug), etc. Shotguns ARE the most versatile weapons for field use in THIS way. Don't need one on a long back packing trip unless maybe you carry slugs in it for bear in Alaska, which ain't a bad idea right there.

I'm not a fan of them myself but this is one myth that I really don't understand. Yes they are less effective but no they aren't useless. I folded the stock on my AK74 and was plinking cans at 25 yards with ease and wasn't really missing. I've also fired a Mossberg 500 and held it out like it didn't have a buttstock and I was hitting steel plates 15 yards away. Anything that this type of shotgun would be used for outside of Police and Military work are on things are much larger than cans or those steel plates.

My overall opinion? They aren't useless, just less effective.

That's my opinion formed through observation and testing.

As I understand the OP, and I may be misreading requirements, but hitting game with a PGO is pure luck. Getting close enough to hit anything wild with a PGO is pure luck. I stumbled upon a small hog a few years ago while walking out to my place. I was about 13 yards from it. The place is ate up with hogs, though. I shot it with my carry that day, a 3" .357 magnum. I think that is more what a pistol grip is appropriate for.

 

[old fart]

would a soft case with shoulder strap be as good or better than a scabbard? thanks