Is A Survival Shotgun An Ideal Weapon If A Major Disaster Strikes?

“Are YOU Ready?”

First order of business is the winner of the Lifestraw…

Congrats to Linda R!  Shoot me an email at [email protected] and I’ll get that sent right out to you!

————————————————

Today’s post comes to us from Joel Johnson.  He’s got some good thoughts on using a shotgun as a survival tool.  Check him out…

————————————————–

When order fails and chaos takes over, will you be ready to deal with the potential disaster? Few things matter more than being prepared when emergencies strike with self-defense supplies at the top of your survival list. Choosing a survival shotgun could be your ultimate defense tool, but requires careful consideration before purchase. Asking yourself, “will I be able to handle shotgun operation?” or, “am I choosing the most versatile everyday shotgun?” are imminent questions when deciding whether

 or not adding a survival shotgun to your arsenal is appropriate.

Top Considerations To Ask Yourself Before Purchasing A Survival Shotgun

1. How many shotguns should each household have?The simple answer is to choose several guns for each adult in the household. Having several guns for your family and backups can protect you from any unforeseen circumstances or in the event one backfires, doesn’t load properly or is otherwise compromised. When planning, consider size of your bug-out bag as well. Can it fit several guns and appropriate ammunitions? PrepperPress.com offers myriad resources such as The ATF National Firearms Act Handbook discussing how to troubleshoot shotgun selection.

2. Have you considered maintenance involved with shotguns? If you don’t hunt or sport shoot, chances are your gun may be sitting stored for a long time. If the emergent occasion does however arise, you want to be sure all parts are still in satisfactory working condition. A major consideration is whether your rubber seal is still intact. Stocking up on seals, o-rings, cleaning devices and other supplies can help you avoid a malfunction.

3. Will all adults in the household be able to handle the shotgun? If you’re only able to choose one gun for the entire household, choose wisely. If you are planning to rely on somebody else for protection or hunt for food in an emergency, be sure that person can handle operation of the shotgun you choose. Firearms experts suggest a 12 guage, but if the recoil is too intense, a 20 guage is more ideal. The American Prepper’s Network experts suggest staying with either a 12 or 20 guage, anything smaller limits versatility.

4. Is your shotgun selection practical and versatile for everyday use? The Remington 870 is an excellent all-purpose shotgun to test for personal fit- this model is an American favorite because of its durability, ease of maintenance and versatility. This shotgun is versatile because it uses different types of loads such as the powerful buckshot in emergency situations as well as slugs to penetrate large mammals as well as through body armor. The shotgun also loads with birdshot— less effective at self-defense, but ideal for hunting smaller game. To prepare for a real-life survival situation, you can easily train with this shotgun by taking lessons shooting trap or through a self-defense class. An 18 or 18-1/2 inch standard pump barrel shotgun also offers versatility over semi-auto shotguns in both price and accuracy for someone new to shooting. Semi-auto shotguns are far more sensitive when shooting and require more maintenance and cleaning to prevent jamming, making them less ideal for a survival shotgun.

Bio:  Joel is a military veteran with 8 years of service and spent over 39 months deployed to Iraq. He used the skills that he learned in the infantry to prepare for what is coming. He is a father with a love for football and his children.