Add a Survival Shotgun to Your Arsenal

The shotgun is a reliable and versatile tool that should be in every serious survivalist’s kit. Since the advent of the shotgun, they have been a reliable tool for personal protection, hunting and law enforcement. The Browning Auto-5 shotgun has been produced for nearly a century and was used throughout the battlefields of World War I through the Vietnam War. The shotgun’s versatility makes it ideal for a survival scenario for many reasons.

Browning Auto-5. Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hmaag

Power and Performance

The shotgun is an essential piece of home defense. Its lethality as a close combat weapon is so devastating that in September of 1918, the German government protested its use in the trench warfare of the World War I. Survival shotguns are especially effective at short range, and the power of 20 gauge and 12 gauge shells are effective against even lightly armored targets. Pump shotguns are reliable, easy to use and require less practice than other firearms.

Most shotguns are easy to repair and maintain with either commercial supplies or improvised tools. A cleaning kit can easily be assembled and stored in a small container. Like any firearm, shotguns require regular maintenance such as lubricating standard O-ring seals, barrel cleaning and oiling.

Versatility

Shotguns are capable of firing many rounds other firearms simply can’t. This versatility makes them ideal for long-term survival needs, as ammo such as bird shot is ideal for hunting small game for food. Buckshot is ideal for defense against large animals, intruders or mobs, and many companies manufacture 12 gauge signal flares designed specifically for shotgun use. Shotguns offer multiple less-lethal options, such as rubber rounds or beanbags, without requiring a dedicated weapon in your kit.

Additionally, shotguns are easy to customize for specific uses. The modular nature of the shotgun allows one to swap a long barrel for game hunting out for a short barrel for effective home defense. The wood in a shotgun can be replaced with hollow plastic to reduce weight or provide space for survival essentials such as medicine, small camping essentials and water purification tablets. The sling for a shotgun can be replaced with a length of wound paracord. Variety of flashlight and compass accessories exist for many shotgun models. The variety of modular options for shotguns allows you to build a firearm that is effective for the situation you intend to use it in, while still being able to adapt to circumstances.

Availability

Shotguns are readily available and less expensive than most rifles. Outdoor Life reports the Mossberg 590 Mariner costs less than $500, weighs only seven pounds, is ideal for harsh environments and is easily customizable. If you intend to arm and protect your family in a survival scenario, outfitting your group with shotguns is significantly less expensive than arming them with semi-automatic rifles.

Additionally, shotguns are treated as sporting gear by many legislators, and even in cities with restrictive gun laws, shotguns are rarely banned or under legislation. For example, Illinois Compiled Statutes require a 72-hour waiting period between sale and possession of a handgun, whereas shotguns only require a 24-hour wait. For the urban survivalist, acquiring necessary firearms on a tight schedule can make the difference between being trapped in a dangerous situation and successfully bugging out.

By John Hopkins