SHTF Shotgun.

[686S&W]

Has this ever been brought up?

I've seen threads in rifle country about shtf rifles but I may have overlooked one that involves shotguns.

Wouldn't a shotgun make a decent shtf firearm? Very common, and diverse selection of ammo. Diverse collection of shotguns. 870's have a large aftermarket. Never fouled the bore on a shotgun, and non metallic shells mean they probably won't seize in the chamber. I imagine it's pretty difficult to jam a pump gun. The only downside I can think of is magazine capacity and reloading times.

 

[esmith]

Im sure this topic has been around the block just a few times. They make a good House defense gun if you know how to manuveur cramped spaces with a long shotgun, i guess that depends on how long it is, mines a riot gun so its short barreled. You load some 00 buckshot and boom you have a devestating weapon. I believe the shotgun has been the work horse for most firearms almost ever since its inception. The versatility one has with a shotgun is almost endless, HD, Hunting, Fun, Plinking, almost anything you can think of.

 

[PTK]

This has been discussed many times here and in the rifles subsection, but yes, rifles and shotguns are both good. For many, it's just a personal choice.

For what it's worth, my latest whiz-bang tactical gizmos are all backed up by one gun, my single-shot 32" (or is it 30") NEF in 12 gauge.

 

[SilentArmy]

Mine is a Benelli M1014. Sights just like a rifle and shoots reliably as fast as you can squeeze! No Butt puckering pump action racking sound though! Who says I have to give up the element of suprise?

 

[2TransAms]

You can jam a pump gun. It's hard to get the mechanisms to stick,but if you go through a lot of rounds without cleaning then the chamber will gum up,making it hard to feed and extract.

Reloading gets to be pretty quick with practice. The only downside is a fairly short range and lower capacity compared to rifles. But,if you need a rifle for the job at hand,then simply get a rifle.

 

[sonyman74]

Here are two of my SHTF shot guns.

 

[sm]

Youth Single Shot 20 gauge here...

 

[Exmasonite]

i think the whole idea of "SHTF" is having the right tool for the job and seeing how there isn't "one" tool for every job, it's good to have some variety (here are some minimums):

1 handgun
1 rifle (longer range)
1 shotgun
+/- .22 rifle

you can go farther than that but it's a good start.

 

[Fast Frank]

I agree with that...

Life is just a long three gun match.

 

[RNB65]

sonyman74:

An SHTF Blackberry? Now there's a thread topic I'll bet THR has never had before.

 

[Titan6]

How old is old?

"A shotgun, a rifle, and a four wheel drive....".

 

[sm]

Old is being sent to the hardware store to get new a new cloth covered electrical cord for the all metal fan .

For running this errand, a young boy could get a 6 1/2 oz Coke for a Nickel, or pick out a shotgun shell or two from the coffee can on the counter, or a small coin envelope with some .22 shells, that came out of a tin can on the counter.

Hot and Humid in the South, no Air Conditioners, no Central heat and Air.
If you were doing well you had a 'water cooler' or 'swamp cooler' set in a window...otherwise...
Emerson window fan, and open windows to draw air and then place that black all metal fan near you in whatever room you were going to be in...

Since we are speaking of getting stuff for fans and all...*wink*

 

[mljdeckard]

I start with a Remington 870, and then see if there's a reason to use something different.

Wait, that's what I do for ALL shotguns. Honestly though, in the case of real SHTF, I would want the shotgun that is the least likely to become unserviceable after long-term use in a variety of environments and ammo.

Feel out the Mossberg and Remington, decide which action you prefer.

 

[Bartkowski]

I like the Mossberg 500 more only because of the shape of the grip on mine. Both guns are very reliable and would do well in a SHTF situation, but the 500 works better for me.

 

[tnieto2004]

I got a mossy 500 for mine!

 

[sonyman74]

sonyman74:

An SHTF Blackberry? Now there's a thread topic I'll bet THR has never had before.

Well, It is a Blackjack not a Blackberry!
But hey, who knows when you need to call for reinforcements.I think I have plenty of SHTF guns to hold them for a little while.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Plus you get that really neat bubble-game on your blackjack that will keep you occupied during those long times during a SHTF situation where you arn't doing anything.

 

[Matt304]

What is SHTF?

 

[sm]

Serious
Hit
The
Fan

 

[rantingredneck]

I have various Rem and Mossberg pump shotguns around. Backed up by Rem 700's, backed up by .45's.

Also several .22's laying around for squirrels and such.

 

[madcratebuilder]

My shtf collection is small but growing, I would like to add a AK-47 or 74 not sure, maybe both, they are cheap.

 

[24kshooter]

1917 Trench Gun

Trench gun with bayonet is my choice backed with a 45 Colt revolver.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Some of US are missing the point. Instead of a lone wolf approach to survivng whatever, we need to militia things up in an emergency and unite.

There's half a dozen houses within sight of my front door that have guns, and most of those folks are trustworthy to guard them if the govt is not.

Shotguns are incredble weapons used within their range limits. Forming part of fire teams using them and rifles for longer, more surgical strikes, shotguns would help control areas until things returned to what passes for normal.

The 870s here are backed up with handguns and a center fire ifle if needed.

 

[mattjmcd]

I think a 12ga in a short-ish bbl format is one of the most practical, flexible firearms you can have. We are pretty lucky that technology is such that there are a bunch of good guns out there. I have an M2 and like it so far, but an 870 is in my future too.

 

[19-3Ben]

My 870 express HD is mine. I actually would like to find the 21 inch smooth-bore bbl with rifle sights for it for that purpose, rather than the front bead 18" that's on there now.