Last Updated on September 15, 2020 by
Survival firearms have always been a popular topic of discussion in the groups I frequent. However, it seems like there has been a shift lately towards tactical shotguns. This might make a purchasing decision more difficult.
Shotguns have always been a good choice for survival. With the right ammunition and features you can take out small moving targets, big game, or you can use it to defend yourself and your family.
However, there are several specifications you need to consider when selecting a shotgun. I learned this the hard way a few years back.
I had purchased an old Harley to fix up as a retirement present for my father. However, his hips and back aren’t what they used to be. I sold the bike and decided to buy us matching shotguns instead.
This way I get to be son of the year, and I get to keep one of the shotguns for myself. Over the course of several months I did tons of research. Most of the shotguns I own were handed down from relatives, so I never had to look at all of the options.
When it was all said and done, I felt like I made the perfect purchase for both of us. In this article, we will cover all of your options for a survival shotgun and the ways you may end up using it.
Ammunition For Survival Shotguns
By far the most versatile aspect of a shotgun is the wide array of ammunition it can fire. Shotguns are great for hunting small game like birds and squirrels when loaded with shot shells.
You can buy shot shells with a wide variety of shot sizes, shot metals, and load sizes. They can even take out moving targets making them ideal for survival hunting.
For large game you can use slugs and take out big game at up to about 100 yards. While slugs are not typically as accurate as firing a rifle, they pack quite a punch when you connect.
You can even load a shotgun with buckshot for maximum damage. These are shot shells loaded with medium-sized ball bearings.
Some people prefer this so they can take out a target even if their aim is a bit off. These days you most commonly find buck shot used for self-defense.
Shotgun ammunition is relatively inexpensive, easy to find, and can even be reloaded at home if you have the right equipment.
Choosing Your Ammunition For Your Survival Shotgun
When choosing your ammunition, you should specifically think of the target you are pursuing. The larger the number shot, the smaller the size of your pellets.
So, shooting a number 8 bird shot is going to have more tiny pellets than shooting a number 3 with fewer larger pellets.
If you go too big, there may not be any meat left on a bird or a squirrel. However, if you go too small you may not stop the animal. I have seen studies that indicate bird shot fired at a normal range would not even get through a winter coat on an intruder.
Likewise, you may have a hard time taking down a grizzly with buck shot. You can get some extra power and distance using a high brass shell like I use for turkeys.
I can typically take out a turkey at up to 60 yards without doing much damage to the meat.
Survival Shotgun Gauges and Actions
Shotgun Gauges
The gauge of the shotgun and the action it uses to load a shell are two more choices you will have to make. Let’s start with the easy one. With a few exceptions, most people should be considering either a 20 gauge or a 12 gauge shotgun for survival purposes.
Yes, I own a .410 and still use it for squirrel hunting, but it would never be my first choice for survival. Either a 20 gauge or 12 gauge is going to be more versatile.
It all comes down to the use. I typically would go for a 12 gauge as it has more power and range. However, it is larger and has more metal so it is the heavier option.
For tactical scenarios or for tromping through heavy brush, the 20 gauge might work better. In theory, either gauge would be fine for survival needs. It is more of a personal preference.
Shotgun Action
The action of your shotgun is a much more important choice. The action greatly affects reliability, reload speed, and weight. Let’s start with the simplest option, the break action.
These are shotguns that break open at a hinge for you to load shells. You can get a single shot, a double barrel, or an over-under.
The single shot will only allow you to shoot one round before reloading. Obviously, this is not ideal for self-defense. However, it is lighter and more reliable than other options.
Semi-automatic shotguns for survival
Semi-automatic shotguns have just one barrel along with a tube to hold more rounds. After you fire, they automatically chamber the next shell making them the fastest option for multiple shots.
I really like this for bird hunting as I can always get off a second shot before the bird is out of range. Semi-automatics are considered the most likely shotgun action to jam up because of all of the moving parts.
They tend to accumulate dirt in places it should not be, so regular cleaning is needed.
Pump action shotguns for survival
Pump action shotguns have a single barrel and a tube for additional rounds like the semi-automatic. However, pump actions require the user to slide the fore-end back towards the receiver to jack out the empty shell.
The user then slides it forward to chamber the next round. While the pump action does take longer to chamber the next round, you can pump it quickly with some practice. I commonly see bird hunters get off two shots with a pump action.
Because the pump gives you complete control over the chambering speed and process, this is a popular option for tactical shotguns. Plus, what is more intimidating for a home intruder than the sound of a pump shotgun down the hall?
The pump is considered more reliable than a semi-automatic, but slightly less than a break action because of the additional moving parts.
A thorough cleaning from time to time and it is a very solid option.
Choke Tubes For Your Survival Shotgun
Shotguns are designed to have different diameters of choke tubes installed in the end of the barrel. The purpose of this is to manipulate the shot spread over given distances.
Some people think that this does not make much of a difference, but it absolutely does. For example, when I bought our new shotguns I wanted to take them out turkey hunting.
I set out a target at 50 yards to test the outer reaches of the firearm. With the standard choke tube, I put three shot in the head area of the turkey target (about 2.5 inches across).
Once I swapped out for a custom choke tube, I was able to more than double it. Of course, at this distance the type of ammunition that you choose will also greatly affect your shot pattern.
With a small stationary target like the head of a turkey, you want to have a tight choke tube. When you have a small moving target like a dove you will want a wider pattern.
Please be aware that shotguns used at close range will always have a tighter pattern than you might imagine. For tactical purposes, this is quite important.
If you are firing at an intruder down a hallway, you can potentially miss your target.
It is not going to destroy everything in its path. If you are using your shotgun for self-defense, I suggest you try it out at shorter distances such as five, ten, and fifteen feet and see what kind of spread you get.
Barrel Length, Grips, and Magazines For Survival Shotguns
When you step into a gun shop you will notice that most of the shotguns are similar in design. They have similar grips to rifles with a longer barrel and a magazine that holds three or four rounds.
However, down on the end you will notice a different breed of shotgun. These are the tactical options. They generally have shorter barrels, specialized grips, and larger magazines.
I don’t like to get into too much detail about specific manufacturers, but the one that comes to mind is Mossberg.
This is what the US military uses for tactical shotguns. When I did my search, I noticed that Mossberg produces a wide variety of different tactical models.
Let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of these features. A long barrel is great for accuracy at a distance. I would never use a short barrel for something like turkey hunting that requires long, accurate shots.
However, the shorter barrel is lighter. This makes it easier to maneuver and aim. Probably the biggest tactical advantage for short barrels is in close quarters scenarios.
If I tried to turn a corner on a home intruder with my turkey gun, they would have a long section of barrel to grab onto and disarm me. Shorter barrels make this tougher.
Magazine Selection For Survival Shotguns
Magazine size is a simple decision. The bigger magazines hold more rounds but add more weight. If you think you would be in a scenario in which you would need more than three or four rounds to survive, you are probably best to get the larger magazine.
Once your magazine is empty, reloading takes some time. However, if your primary use is hunting you would almost never need more than three or four rounds.
Best Grips For Survival Shotguns
As for the grips, this is more of a personal choice. I find that a standard grip works better for me to get accurate shots on stationary and moving targets.
However, the front downward grip is popular for tactical shotguns. It gives you a better grip so you can handle the recoil better and are less likely to be disarmed.
It can also help you pump your next round faster.
Potential Uses For A Survival Shotgun
If you have never owned a shotgun before, think about your potential uses for the firearm. For an all-around survival gun, you will be doing some hunting.
If this is the case, I would think a field shotgun would be a much better option than a tactical gun. That being said, if you will only be using the gun for tactical purposes then you may want something more customized.
You can also go with something in the middle and get a shorter barreled field gun. This gives you a lighter weight firearm that is more maneuverable, but still gives you some of the hunting advantages you need.
You can always look at customizing your gun later if you feel like you need to.
The important thing is that owning a shotgun is a great idea for survival preparation. If you have the opportunity, find a gun shop with a range and try out a few different options.
The feel of the gun when actually firing it may make a big difference in what you decide to buy. You can also head out to the range with friends and ask to try their shotguns.
Final Thoughts
Please do take your time doing research on brands and models. There are a few primary manufacturers known for quality products and a few that are known to jam.
Keep in mind that buying new you will often have a warranty to cover basic issues like worn out springs. That warranty can be worth a lot down the road.
If you are looking for a deal, shopping right after turkey season can be a good time to get a deal. At that point in the year, most turkey and waterfowl hunters have already made a purchase.
As always, don’t just buy your firearm and throw it in your safe. Get out and practice as much as you can.
Firing a shotgun is very different than firing a rifle, especially on moving targets.
When SHTF, being proficient with a shotgun can very well save your life.