Search Results for: shotguns

Retreat Owner Profiles

…home. Annual Income: $72,000 to $200,000 Professions & Education: Retired (He – retired geologist/mining executive with PhD; She – retired elementary school teacher with MS); public company board member. Investments: Silver coins and bullion; gold coins and bullion; cash; gold company and other stocks; many shares in a major rare earth company with principal property in NE Wyoming; 1/3 interest in a 100-acre remote family homestead at a lake in another state. Vehicles: Late model 4WD SUV, 4WD sedan, older 4WD 1980 Jeep, and older 4WD diesel pickup truck; 4WD ATV; 4WD UTV; 2 bicycles; older John Deere and Kubota tractors; several trailers. Firearms: Four AR-15 rifles; five 12-gauge shotguns (2 tactical); two 20 gauge shotguns (1 tactical); one 30-06 with scope, one 7 mm with scope, one 6 mm with scope, one 32 special, and three .22 LR rifles; eight handguns from .22 LR to 40 S&W. Ammunition stock:…


Pat’s Product Review: Stevens Model 350 Shotgun

…  Many shotguns made today come with an aluminum receiver, and I own several like this. However, my favorite shotgun is my Stevens Model 350 for several reasons. First of all, it has an all-steel receiver – which means it’s heavier and can take a lot more abuse. Secondly, the 350 is very close to the famed Ithaca Model 37 shotgun, that has a bottom eject feature, unlike other shotguns, that eject from the side of the receiver. Nothing “wrong” with a side ejection shotgun, I just like the bottom ejection feature of the 350. Yes, this makes the 350 a bit heavier than some other shotguns – it weighs in around 8-pounds unloaded, this is good and bad. The good part is, it helps tame recoil, the bad is, well….the gun is heavier to carry. However, I don’t plan on an extended romp in the boonies with this shotgun –…


Stevens Model 320 Security Shotgun, by Pat Cascio

19

Not all shotguns are created equal. Some are meant for sport hunting, and some are designed for self defense. Today we’re checking out the Stevens Model 320 Security shotgun. Shotguns A lot of people find most shotguns pretty boring, and I might just be in that crowd these days. There are so many different models and makes of shotguns out there, and many look the same as the next one or the one before it. Most folks who purchase a shotgun do so with the thought of upland bird hunting or water fowl hunting. I have no problem with that at all. It’s a great sport to get involved in. Home Protection Then there are preppers and just plain ol’ home owners who want something a bit “more” for home protection than what a handgun affords them. They chose to go with what we used to commonly call a “riot…


A Response to a Question on .45 LC in .410, by Tunnel Rabbit

…demonstration videos that concluded or imply that all .45 Long Colt ammunition can be safely fired in .410 shotguns, this is not my conclusion after putting this issue under closer examination. One can logically conclude that given the evidence provided that some .45 Long Colt ammunition can be used safely in some .410 shotguns. However, if one is using .45 Colt ammunition that fires a hard cast projectile instead of the very soft lead bullet designed for the subsonic velocities. Typically, it is a projectile that not much harder than 12+ BHN (Brinell Hardness Number) that is often used in commercial .45 Colt “Cowboy” load ammunition. A hard cast projectile may not be malleable enough to be swaged by the smaller bore diameter of the .410 shotgun without choke, or with a barrel that has a full choke and is typically less than .380 in diameter. Most vintage .410 shotguns…


Home Repair of Pre-1899 Guns – Part 3, by SwampFox

4

(Continued from Part 2. This part concludes the series.) Pre-1899 Shotguns Shotguns from the late 1800s cartridge era are typically of a break-open design. There were pump action and lever action shotguns available such as those produced by Winchester, but they often command a high price. Old farm guns are easy to obtain and simple to work on. Often available online for under $300 or even as little as $100, they can be shipped to your door. Almost every hardware store in rural areas would have carried shotguns, and some even had their own locally produced models. This can make finding original parts a real chore. One unique type of shotgun action is the trapdoor. Unlike the Trapdoor Springfield rifles that were an original design, the trapdoor shotgun is usually a conversion of an older muzzleloader such as an Enfield. They were often sold to native tribes in the United…


Kicked by a Mule – An Introduction to Tactical Shotguns by Shooter

…getting to know your gun class. We spent time working from various stages of carry. Instructor Greg stayed away from the “stage 1, stage 2, etc.” lingo and focused on simple vernacular that could not be misinterpreted. After learning how to load, charge the magazine, and chamber check, we went to work on firing from different stages of carry. The instructor mentioned there are a wide variety of shotguns out there, and there is no one single military designated, tried and true shotgun on the market whose technology has carried over to the consumer. This means that shotguns are prone to Negligent Discharge (ND)/Accidental Discharge (AD) problems and extra safety is needed in handling them. He stressed normal carry modes that would leave the chamber empty but the magazine full. First Carry Method: Transport Mode. Real simple, this is the way you carry a shotgun in your car from place…


Letter Re: The Potential Combat Effectiveness of Shotguns

…(and the requisite training)., or one shotgun (and the requisite training), then buy a semi-auto battle rifle! With the addition of a spare “bird” barrel, shotguns can also be useful for foraging, since they are the only effective means of wingshooting. (And the only legal method, in many countries.) Also, police have found that shotguns firing slugs can be more effective and safer than a rifle, in the specialized task of removing a door from its hinges. Speaking of which, building “entry” is incredibly dangerous, and frankly I can’t foresee the need of the average prepper to ever do so. But you never know. There was that one chapter of “Patriots“… A couple of provisos: Despite popular misconceptions popularized by Hollywood, shotguns must be aimed, much like a rifle. The bead sights that are installed on most shotgun barrels are insufficient. I recommend either buying a replacement barrel with rifle…


Letter Re: Advice on Pump Action Shotguns

Dear Mr. Rawles, Regarding your recent comments on shotguns, I’d like to add the following opinion: I own a gun shop and I get -many- people looking to buy their first shotgun. The first question I ask them (and probably a good question to ask ones self before making any purchase) is: “What do you intend to use it for?”. Different guns for different purposes. When they tell me they want an all around do everything shotgun (which is how the shy and low-key convey that they want a defensive shotgun), the choice usually come down to the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870. Both are great shotguns. Both are used by the US military and both are found in law enforcement. Both have a fair bit of aftermarket parts and accessories (not all of them useful) available. When customers ask me to choose between the Mossberg 500 and the…


Letter Re: Defensive Shotguns on a Budget

Dear Jim: Mr. Bravo is right on the money regarding Mossberg shotguns. They are inexpensive and reliable. At IDPA shoots (www.idpa.com) I see problems EVERY match with auto shotguns, but far fewer problems with pump guns. The pump gun is a little slower to run, but the major problem of short stroking the pump is quickly corrected on the fly, while the autos can jam and are completely out of action. The only mechanical thing I have had go wrong with my Mossberg 500 or 590 is the safety’s spring loosening up after 10 years, with the safety coming on with recoil. The factory fixed the 10 year old gun at no charge. Combat Pump Shotguns: You can now add a recoil reducing pistol grip stock to your Mossberg or other pump gun. This actually tames 12 gauge birdshot down to .223 recoil levels! 00 buckshot is a breeze to…


Benelli Nova Pump Shotgun in 20 Gauge, by Thomas Christianson

The Benelli Nova and Supernova series of pump shotguns utilize steel-reinforced polymer receivers. This makes the guns strong, durable, and weather-resistant. Polymer-framed handguns are as common as flags on the Fourth of July. Polymer-framed shotguns are much less common. After testing the Benelli Nova Pump Shotgun in 20 Gauge, I am surprised that this is the case. I was highly impressed with its balance, fit and finish, and silky smooth operation. I am surprised that the Nova has not carved out a commanding share of the shotgun market since its introduction in the mid-1990s in the way that Glock has established a commanding position in the handgun market. I am surprised that shotguns with polymer receivers have not become more or less the industry standard. Perhaps shooters are not as open to innovations in shotgun design as they are in handgun design. Perhaps pleasant memories of youthful hunting experiences have…


Letter Re: Defensive Shotguns on a Budget

Sir, WRT the recent posts regarding “Defensive Shotguns on a Budget”, am I the only one that GREATLY prefers the Remington 870? Guess it is probably a Pepsi versus Coke type thing, but I have owned many different brands over the years, and the 870 series is what I find to work best for me. I found a few interesting discussions on the topic online at some of the links listed below, but I would suggest to everyone that if possible, try actually shooting a few different models before making a decision. I learned that lesson the hard way once when I bought 3 HK-91s in a package deal, based on “internet research.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Heckler and Koch products, and most of my armory has their logo on it, but I just couldn’t stand the ergonomics on those rifles, regardless of any other positive factors. Luckily,…


Letter Re: Mossberg Mariner Pistol Grip Shotguns and Underground Cashing

…stem to stern. (“Been there, done that.”) If you live in an area that doesn’t have rocky soil, you can use a post hole digger to plant your canisters vertically. This makes them harder to spot with a metal detector. But if you do, dig an oversize hole and surround the wrapped canister with sand to make extraction easier. Parenthetically, make sure that you take GPS coordinates for your caching site, and record measured distances from several large landmarks. Trees can be removed, fence lines moved, and so forth. You do not want to spend a lot of time digging, especially post-TEOTWAWKI. OBTW, I’m not a big fan of pistol grip type shotguns. They are painful to shoot, and not very accurate without a lot of practice. If you desire compactness, I recommend folding stock shotguns, most of which can be fired from the “stock folded” position in an emergency….


H&R Pardner Protector Shotgun, by Pat Cascio

1

…one that can be had with an 18.5-inch “riot” barrel and a longer 26-28 inch barrel for taking water fowl or turkey. They are quite a bargain if you shop around. On the other hand, a shotgun with an 18.5-inch barrel can also be used for taking water fowl. Your range is limited, as is the choke. Most “riot” shotguns have a cylinder bore barrel, which can’t be changed. Still, it is a useful gun for a lot of chores. The gun shop I haunt on a regular basis usually has quite a few used and new shotguns on the racks, and they know that I’m a bargain hunter. If the deal isn’t “good” I have no interest. I don’t care if the shotgun is new or used; it has to be priced right for me to even look closely at it. I ran across a like-new, probably 98% as-new,…


Preparing for a Private Gun Transfer Ban

70

…Single Action Army (SAA) and Bisley revolvers with serial numbers under 182,000. I consider SAAs with serials between 165,000 and 182,000 (1896 to 1898 production) the most desirable, since they have steel frames (and are thus safe to shoot most modern smokeless loads), yet they are Federally exempt. Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier revolvers (serial numbers below 41,000) Colt Model 1889 Navy .38, all are pre-1899 Colt “New Army” or “New Navy” .38 and .41 (serial # below 115,000) Colt New Service, first year of production (1898) only. (Serial # below 250) Fox (A.H. Fox) shotguns – all are modern Hopkins and Allen Mfg. marked guns are ALL pre-1899 because the company changed its name (and rollmark) to Hopkins and Allen Arms in 1898. Ithaca Baker Model shotguns – all are pre-1899 Ithaca Crass Model shotguns (serial # below 38,399) Ithaca Hammer shotguns – other – (serial # below…


Hunting in Desperate Times – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

…half the weight. Lower-powered cartridges of a bygone era required better shot placement and more diligent effort in true hunting. To put this in more definitive words: tracking and getting close enough to hit more accurately using only iron sights. Rifle scopes were only introduced in the 1940s in appreciable numbers and were a luxury item at that time. Larger Shotguns 20 gauge and 12 gauge shotguns can kill just about anything when loaded with the wide array of different ammunition available from bird shot to buck and slugs. 12 gauge ammunition is now found in amazing variety and found anywhere for sale so it is the ideal choice for today’s potential subsistence hunter. The 12 gauge shotgun is the most powerful and most versatile firearm for the least amount of money if hunting can be productive inside of 100 yards. Most 12 gauge shotguns are made for only 2…