I am going to be picking up my first firearm in 50 years. A shotgun, I think. What are the must have accessories I should pick up as well. I know a I need a lockable case, cleaning kit, trigger or cable lock. What about upgrades, add-ons etc to the actual gun. Sights, sling etc. what do you use and like. Thanks
Must have accessories
- Thread starter Werami
- Start date
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Well depends on what YOU want to do with it. Hunting, Trap, Skeet etc.
You are buying the gun for yourself, not others. So choose what you would like.
Im not going to say get a sling, if you are just wanting to shoot trap.
I barely use slings as they just get in my way on the range. I have sights on my shotgun but I only shoot slugs from it, but sucks for trap being it doesnt have chokes and we'll rifle sights..
You can make dummies from wooden dowels and old hulls.
You are buying the gun for yourself, not others. So choose what you would like.
Im not going to say get a sling, if you are just wanting to shoot trap.
I barely use slings as they just get in my way on the range. I have sights on my shotgun but I only shoot slugs from it, but sucks for trap being it doesnt have chokes and we'll rifle sights..
You can make dummies from wooden dowels and old hulls.
Other than a Zombie apocalypse I’m looking for something for a camping companion. We camp off grid on the island. I’ve was rushed by a bear lateley where she has swatted my foot before I got my spray on her. Beautiful animal but the next one might not be so cordial or responsive to pepper. I also want to get proficient in its use so will be hitting a range or a logging road.
You need to train with the ammo you plan to use. Slugs and buckshot are much heavier recoiling than birdshot so you need to have a bunch of experience with those. It is common, with heavy recoiling ammo, for people to stop placing the head properly on the stock, which results in shots hitting high.
As shot will tear up paper targets, maybe get a few steel plates. Get more than one so you can practice rapid shots on more than one target - which is the closest you will get to engaging a moving target.
Which type of shotgun you get will be important. You need to understand how the thing works so you can work it without thinking about it and be aware of the potential pitfalls of that type of action. Recoil operated semi-autos need to be in the shoulder to function properly. Pump actions need to be pumped fully and forcefully.
Rifle sights are all the rage for shotguns these days but IMO they are the worst kind of sight for shotgun. A simple front bead is the best and cheapest. I haven't used a red dot on a shotgun but I could see that working well ... although you need one with a long battery life and shake awake function or the thing will likely be turned off right at the time you need it the most.
As shot will tear up paper targets, maybe get a few steel plates. Get more than one so you can practice rapid shots on more than one target - which is the closest you will get to engaging a moving target.
Which type of shotgun you get will be important. You need to understand how the thing works so you can work it without thinking about it and be aware of the potential pitfalls of that type of action. Recoil operated semi-autos need to be in the shoulder to function properly. Pump actions need to be pumped fully and forcefully.
Rifle sights are all the rage for shotguns these days but IMO they are the worst kind of sight for shotgun. A simple front bead is the best and cheapest. I haven't used a red dot on a shotgun but I could see that working well ... although you need one with a long battery life and shake awake function or the thing will likely be turned off right at the time you need it the most.
Great points, thank you. Will definitely pick up some steel to set up and a variety of loads to push through. I haven’t picked up a gun yet….still researching. I like the idea of a semi to mitigate some of the recoil (so I understand), not to mention the other obvious points like stance, grip, proper fitment etc.. also in the case of defence, a semi should get a lot more lead down range. Right now I’m leaning to an A300 or a 940 type.
