Search Results for: shotgun

A Budget Disaster Response Kit, by R.S.

…in mind I started with two firearms: a short barreled home defense shotgun and a full size semi-automatic handgun. The shotgun I selected is a used Western Field (essentially a Mossberg 500) 12 gauge pump action shotgun with a 30 inch hunting barrel that I purchased for $175. As I have a small machine shop. It proved to be relatively easy to remove the barrel, chuck it in my lathe, cut the barrel down to 18.5”, trim and re-blue the ends, and then drill, tap, and install a new bead sight. Even with the addition of an inexpensive butt-stock shell carrier for 5 additional shotgun rounds my total cost was $185 and about 45 minutes of my time. The handgun I selected is a Ruger P89 semi-automatic in 9mm with two15-round magazines and an inexpensive nylon holster. In a previous article I extolled the virtues of the Ruger P-series handguns…


G Force P3 Shotgun, by Pat Cascio

…30 yards for your shots. Loaded with slugs, you are probably good to go out to 100-yards or so. And, let’s not forget, a shotgun is slow to reload. And, importantly, self-defense loads like 00 buckshot are quite expensive these days. But regardless of your choice for your primary weapon, I’d recommend a good quality pump-action shotgun be included in your survival arsenal. One advantage is that many shotguns are still reasonable in price. Today, we’re looking at the G Force Model P3, pump-action 12 Gauge shotgun, that is made in Turkey. Believe it or not, Turkey produces some of the best firearms in the world – at great prices. The P3 model weighs in at 7-pounds, about what other similar shotguns weigh. It has an 18.5-inch barrel, and overall it is 40-inches in length. This P3 model has a satin nickel finish on the barrel and the receiver –…


Meet the Saiga Family, by Brett G.

…circumstances I might be able to get six rounds back into the shotgun tube in about ten seconds. And how many times like I do you stumble and drop one as you quickly push it into the tube? In a crisis, how quickly can you reload? The point is, how quickly can you really reload a “normal shotgun” putting one shell into the magazine tube at a time? It might take longer than you really want. In a tough situation, tactically you are limited by your weapon’s capacity and your reloading capabilities. Fortunately, there is the Saiga 12. This weapon was designed for tough situations like this. The Saiga 12 is a 12 gauge shotgun that is potent weapon. It is basically the AK-47 frame with larger magazines, yet you shoot 12 gauge shotgun shells. It doesn’t get much better than that. By the way, Saiga also makes the Saiga…


Pat’s Product Review: The Saiga 12 Shotgun

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Awesome! That’s the best word I can come up with, to describe the Saiga 12, 12 gauge shotgun. Most people believe that only full-auto assault rifles, machine guns or submachine guns can offer-up “fire-power.” Well, I’m here to tell you that the Saiga 12 shotgun, can hold its own against many full auto guns – at least, given the limited range of a shotgun. Right now, the Saiga 12, is one of the hottest selling firearms across the country. There are several reasons for this, first of all is that, this is one fantastic shotgun for self-defense. Secondly, the BATFE, or more rightly so, the US Justice Department, is trying to ban imported shotguns that have certain “features” that they deem evil. Third, there is a rumor going around, that the Justice Department refuses to give any more import permits for the Saiga 12. If that’s true, this is a…


Scot’s Product Review: Panteao Productions, LLC

…a universal communication tool” and that TV gives us the impression that if hit with a shotgun we will “burst into flames”. There are a number of different loads available for the shotgun. You could use birdshot for a close shot, which would limit penetration so that you don’t endanger as many people on the other side of a wall; you could use buckshot, which has more penetration, or use a slug, which will just keep on going and going as well as give you the accuracy to make solid stopping hits at 100 yards. Shotguns are limited in ammunition capacity, but Jeans argues that the shotgun is decisive and the “power factor is such that we get very few failures to stop”. One of the solutions for this problem is to always replace any rounds we shoot. If we shoot one, load one; if we shoot two, load two,…


A Woman’s Journey Towards Firearms Acceptance, by The Little Woman

…of “summer camp for women“. I of course signed up for all of the beginner shotgun workshops, and learned so much more about my shooting stance, and sighting, and the classroom instruction on how a shotgun actually works was fascinating (go figure: that I could come to enjoy a classroom lecture on how a shotgun works!) I came away with a new appreciation, and new tools, for learning how to use my shotgun.  My goals for the coming year are to attend an Appleseed Weekend and a Hunter’s Safety Course.  Both seem basic and must-do in my newbie quest toward firearm learning, safety and competence. I have also now found a “mentor”, a friend of my husband who will help me learn disassembly, cleaning, and choke tube switching of my shotgun. And I am looking again at the gun clubs within driving distance, that I dream of perhaps setting up…


A Primer on Guns for Survival, by The Last New Jersey Conservative

Before his untimely demise, survivalist author Mel Tappan wrote his book Survival Guns some four decades ago, yet it still remains the authoritative source on the topic.  Mel also wrote columns for various magazines, expanding upon his previous writings and clarifying some concepts.  It is those columns and articles which formed the basis of not only this essay, but also leaving what is now an indelible impression upon my thought process for the same subject.  Mel Tappan had a rifle as his first acquisition and a shotgun as his third acquisition; I flip flopped it for this piece due to the fact he lived in the wilderness – where I live in the jungle; an asphalt jungle.  That being the case, here goes: First and foremost, a decisive firearm capable of ending any fight should be your initial purchase.  It is here the shotgun excels.  The shotgun is the most…


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

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…States and in Africa. I recently saw one of these at a local gun shop for an affordable price, was quite tempted to pick it up. I have also seen them on Gunbroker.com, often labeled as a “Zulu gun” or as a “Native shotgun” or “trade shotgun.” To repair these, you will need to be more familiar with muzzleloader parts than shotgun parts, as the only new part of the gun is the trapdoor and firing pin that were placed into the breech of the old muzzleloader. Springs will be of the type found in an Enfield muzzleloader, or whatever donor gun was used. While somewhat slower to load than other shotguns, a trapdoor conversion shotgun will do quite well for hunting, and is an interesting window into history. Finding or Making Shotgun Parts Like the trapdoor shotgun, break-open shotguns often share some things in common with traditional muzzleloaders. Many…


In Defense of the Humble Shotgun, by V.F.

…out for Las Vegas, Nevada. I went into the water treatment business and kept at it for 20 years. Through these years, my gauge was my constant work companion, having a “special place” in a succession of work vehicles. Even in the worst neighborhoods and even Northtown Vegas during the Rodney King riot, while I was working near Martin Luther King and Lake Mead Blvd and could see the smoke rising from the stores that were on fire, I felt completely safe. Up until now I had never had occasion to chamber a round in my shotgun for any other purpose than practice or fun. However, in the summer of 1999, while on a camping trip with my best friend and our young children, I came to look at my shotgun with a newfound reverence. We had taken my boat to a very secluded spot on Lake Mohave, inaccesable by…


Field Gear on a Shoestring Budget: Ten Project Examples, by George S.

…you’ll have a good idea as to the likely cause, and how to prevent a repeat if you adopt the vest and repair the damage. As an added benefit, the resulting ALICE/MOLLE web slots are just large enough to allow the body of a 12-gauge shotgun shell to fit, with the shell’s rim keeping the round from dropping through. That inspired me to build a second vest primarily for use with a shotgun. Lacking the bottom extensions it’s accordingly shorter and more compact, and so can be worn reasonably concealed beneath a GI field jacket. The old Second Chance Z9 that was the first vest I owned back in the 1970s rides in front in this one, and I’m still looking for another castoff vest for the back pouch. Additional boxed ammo carried in pouches in back helps balance the load on my shoulders, and helps prevent me from kicking…


Retreat Owner Profiles

…large suburban cities in Massachusetts. Age: 52 years old SOs: 16 year old teenage son Annual income: $50,000+. Profession: Technical Writer Investments: 401K and some inheritance money Vehicles: 1995 Volkswagen Jetta and 2002 Yamaha VStar Classic Motorcycle Firearms Battery: .38 S&W snubnose 642, 9mm Beretta FS, Glock 22 .40 S&W, Sig .40 S&W 229, 45 ACP SW 1911, 45 ACP SW 1911 SC, 12 Gauge SxS Stoeger Stage Shotgun, 1897 Winchester 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun, Mossberg 590 Pump Shotgun, 7.62x54R Mosin-Nagant Finnish M39, .223 Bushmaster AR-15 M3, .308 Remington PSS, .308 Springfield M1A, 7.62 WASR AK-47. Other Gear: Have complete Level 3 Militia List of military equipment, Flak Vest, U.S.G.I. Kevlar Helmet, web gear, camo clothing, boots, winter gear, US Marine 2 man Eureka Tent, Winter Sleeping Gear and Camo, Binoculars, NVG monocular, GPS, Medical Gear, Camo netting, NukeAlert, Pelican Case, Kestral Weather monitor, Leica Range Finder. DVDs of gun…


Survival Gun Selection

…that used on the M16) by Holland’s of Oregon, and had Holland slim line muzzle brakes installed. We decided to get the muzzle brakes because they don’t draw as much attention (in these politically correct days) as a flash hider. However, if we get into some deep drama, we can quickly switch to flash hiders. Shotguns The next gun categories to consider are upland game and waterfowl shotguns. If you will have the opportunity to hunt upland game or waterfowl on your property or somewhere nearby, you will of course want to include one or more good bird-hunting shotguns in your battery. As you will likely be carrying your shotgun more often than the average city dweller, a durable finish is desirable. Remington’s “Special Purpose” versions of their Model 870, Model 11-87, and Model 1100 fit this bill nicely. They come from the factory with a non-glare stock finish and…


Survival Gun Selection

…by Holland’s of Oregon, and had Holland slim line muzzle brakes installed. We decided to get the muzzle brakes because they don’t draw as much attention (in these politically correct days) as a flash hider. However, if we get into some deep drama, we can quickly switch to flash hiders. Shotguns The next gun categories to consider are upland game and waterfowl shotguns. If you will have the opportunity to hunt upland game or waterfowl on your property or somewhere nearby, you will of course want to include one or more good bird-hunting shotguns in your battery. As you will likely be carrying your shotgun more often than the average city dweller, a durable finish is desirable. Remington’s “Special Purpose” versions of their Model 870, Model 11-87, and Model 1100 fit this bill nicely. They come from the factory with a non-glare stock finish and a dull gray Parkerized finish…


Letter Re: The Potential Combat Effectiveness of Shotguns

Jim, There is a fairly heated discussion going on at the FALFiles Forums about how useful a shotgun is in a Schumer Hits The Fan (SHTF) situation. I was curious, what exactly is your take on the issue? Personally, I do not feel a shotgun can effectively replace a rifle, however, it still proves an effective tool when the extreme-close situation arises. I suppose one can distill this argument down to only “defensive purpose” shotguns such as those built for tactical situations (3″ chambers and open/cylinder choke), those you aptly refer to as “riotguns”. While the effectiveness of a shotgun for hunting small game is readily apparent, where exactly would a defensive shotgun come into play using either various types of buckshot or slugs? In what circumstances would a shotgun be a superior choice to a battle or assault rifle? Examples? I, as well as many, value your opinion on…


Low Budget Firearms Selection for a Novice, by S.G.

…be enough to scare away would be intruders without firing a shot. If you do have to fire at an invader, a 12 gauge shotgun fired at close range is probably the deadliest weapon you could have. In a hunting situation, you are much more likely to encounter birds than you are to encounter larger game such as deer or boar and all birds are edible. Thus, for stockpiling purposes, I weighted my ammo purchases towards bird shot. Buckshot is useful for hunting boar, deer, or really any non-bird larger creature that could serve as dinner. The most common and easy to find shotgun caliber is the 12 gauge, so I limited myself to 12 gauge guns. Many gun folks recommended the Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun. However, I am a price conscious guy, so I kept looking. Ultimately I settled on the less expensive Mossberg 500. This American made…