Backpack shotgun shorter than 26"

Horilka

Horilka

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Is there any non-restricted shotgun shorter than 26"?

Let me explain. I've been thinking about some gun that I could carry in a backpack. First option I was thinking about was Sub 2000 in 9mm. If folds to 18.5" (47 cm) which is the perfect size. This is exactly the height of my small backpack. Then I thought that the primary purpose of the gun would be protection from black bears and thus I need something more powerful than 9mm pistol round. 12ga with slugs could do the job. But here comes OAL 26" limit.

However, there are two way to overcome this.
1) Shotgun could fold in a way similar to Sub 2000 so firing is not possible unless it is unfolded.
2) Shotgun could have a folding stock which blocks action unless it is fully unfolded (I saw such mods in Ukraine for semi-auto AK74). It could also be aftermarket mod.
P.S. I'm not looking into the take down option, as I need something that should be ready to fire in the shortest time possible.

So do we have anything like this?
 
You will never take a backpack off your shoulder, open the backpack, pull out your folded shotgun, unfold it, point, aim, shoot and hit an aggressive bear before you are lunch. My advice is 12"grizzly/870 slung over the shoulder. But just my 2 cents
 
Check out the single shots that Corwin Arms sells. It's 20 1/2" folded and quite lightweight.
Looks like he might be sold out on the 12G though?

You might want to consider a bigger pack as well.....

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taprack9 said:
You will never take a backpack off your shoulder, open the backpack, pull out your folded shotgun, unfold it, point, aim, shoot and hit an aggressive bear before you are lunch. My advice is 12"grizzly/870 slung over the shoulder. But just my 2 cents
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I understand that, and the gun will not always be in the backpack. But some time it will. And thus I'm looking for something compact.
 
Horilka said:
No, I'm not sold on 12ga, I'm actually fine with anything powerful to kill black bear.
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12G is what you want.
Give Corwin a call and see if he has any in stock or when he's getting more. It's a simple lightweight and inexpensive backpacker.

Being a single shot you will not be tempted to blast away out of fear! For the most part avoiding bear issues is best done with your head and how you store your food. If you do meet a grumpy bear though even a single shot should help you avoid soiling yourself and trembling in fear which is not a good thing when faced with grumpy animals that can kick your ass!

Be confident and give the bear his space and you will be fine.
 
I agree with the folding 12ga from Corwin. I have an 8.5" 870 that is 26.5" overall and with my pack, Kifaru ZXR, I can carry it in the slot pocket just fine. However the ZXR is a big and tall pack.

Another option would be attaching a scabbard to the exterior of your pack and running an 8.5" 870.
 
taprack9 said:
You will never take a backpack off your shoulder, open the backpack, pull out your folded shotgun, unfold it, point, aim, shoot and hit an aggressive bear before you are lunch. ...
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Agreed. If it's for "real" wilderness protection (and not merely the "idea" of wilderness protection), it has absolutely got to be immediately available.


Horilka said:
... First option I was thinking about was Sub 2000 in 9mm. If folds to 18.5" (47 cm) which is the perfect size. ... Then I thought that the primary purpose of the gun would be protection from black bears and thus I need something more powerful than 9mm pistol round. 12ga with slugs could do the job...
So do we have anything like this?
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I would rather have the Sub2K with Buffalo Bore level handloads than have nothing. But I think there are better options (more from a reliability standpoint than the 9mm terminal performance). Yes, there are 8.5" shotguns that would fit the bill. But those shorties are significant compromises, and probably not at all pleasant to practice with.

An 18" shotgun with a folding stock is probably worth considering (it would stow in your pack at around 23" with the barrel removed). But I don't like shooting folders, so I would personally go for a 12.5" with a 12" LOP stock (around 30" OAL) and keep it slung or in a scabbard.


1riot1ranger said:
How about a Rossi Ranch Hand in .44 Mag. 24" OAL and non-restricted...
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It's a good option, depending. I just sold mine in 45 Colt (handloaded beyond 44 Magnum levels), and I already miss it. Holster or backpack scabbard options available, but you can easily sling it on your back or chest and not even know it is there. Again, the important thing is to have a gun, and have it readily available, and this definitely fits the bill.
 
Fitting in a backpack should be a minor consideration. VERY minor. If you're talking real life, bear-is-going-to-eat-me, $#!^^!$% in your pants situation, you want a gun that shoulders easily and fits you well enough that you can aim and shoot quickly without using the sights. Unless you want to practice a lot, and trust your life to aiming 3 feet lower than the sights, a 8" barreled shotgun or a ranch hand with its little stub of a stock won't do.

Also, think of the police 21 ft rule. Unless the gun is in your hands and ready to fire, that bear is going to kick your ass if it's within 21 (i'd say more like 60 feet in the bush in reality) feet.
 
I disagree, my 8.5" shotgun shoulders well and with a proper front sight is accurate. I can shoot thrown clays, soda cans beyond 20 yards, and with slugs or buckshot it's more than accurate enough out to the 25 yards I've tested it.

I had a Ranch Hand in .44mag, and 8.5" 870 with short LOP stock is just over 26" and is easy to shoot accurately. Recoil isn't that bad either with proper stance and recoil control.

I agree with the others, a gun, any gun must be in hand or extremely fast to get in hand to be of any real use.
 
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50$ Iver Johnson champion meets pipe cutter. Recently I had a polychoke installed that cost more than the rest of the gun. It breaks down to around 19" and is my standard carry in the woods. How far north are you going that you expect to be fending off bears? Steele's? Major Mac?
 
buy a cheap single shot 12 gauge, cut the barrel to 18.5 and cut the stock so it at legal length. they break into 3 small pieces, and assembled fit nice n the side of your bag.

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canada ammo has the outlaw in Stock right now. buy, disassemble, clean up sear etc, fix rattling fore end, reassemble with loctite. more fun than an sks and very reliable.
or ... shoot right from the box until it falls apart. These must be retorqued imo as final QA is a joke.
btw watch out with the corwin singles: the sliding trigger guard is a nasty finger pincher.
 
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