Camp/Survival Shotgun

CTS

CTS

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Hey guy's

I'm looking for a camp shotgun for survival needs only. Wondering what everyone would recommend for this. Would have to be cheap, able to take abuse and shoot slugs. Also a little bit of accessories would not hurt to add to it, ex. pistol grip.

I was thinking a 870 but was wondering if anything else was out there...say Norinco or whatever else.

Thanks for the help!

CTS
 
First off i would never even consider a pistol grip a useable adition to any shotgun. No useful aiming or recoil control which will be important for survival.

Second I would probably reconsider the choice of a shotgun altogether depending on what u consider surviving and the area you will be in as well as what u would be hunting.

Personally if I had to be stuck in the bush for any length of time and had to fend for myself I would probably choose a lever action 30-30 unless I was in Grizzly territory and then I might consider something bigger.

A shotgun really limits ur range and accuracy and in a survival situation missing a shot is not only bad for your stomach but also very demoralizing. You also have to carry around 2 types of ammo and if u just so happen to have it loaded with birdshot while looking for birds and a bear walks up on you......... Likewise if u have the gun loaded with slugs and shoot a bird.............

A 30-30 accurately placed in a grouses head or neck will work, and you can easily shoot any mid sized animals like porcupines or racoons without having to pick a #### ton of pellets out of them. That is if u kill em with birdshot. A slug would cost you half the animals meat no doubt.

You could also "bark shoot" squirrels or chipmunks. This is where u shoot the branch right by the animal instead of the animal itself causing them to fall in shock and u pick them upnstunned off the ground.
 
100% disagreement over here. With some practice I figured the whole pistol grip shotgun thing out pretty quick. Just because others failed miserably and gave up, condemning pistol grips doesnt mean there arent people who know how to use them. Aiming and recoil management are a unique skill set unlike any other, and once you figure it out you will be amazed how good you can get with one. You have zero muscle memory from all your other shooting experience, but trust me its not hard and doesnt take your teeth out. If you can hit a small game bird in the head with anything, then you can do it with a shotgun too. Its not like you cant get close to them. Aiming high with birdshot works very well for this, Im surprised when I find shot in my chickens! So that being said for pistol gripped 12 ga. you cant beat the Maverick 88 for lightweight, tough, cheap and reliable. If you want fullstock than any major brand will do, with preference for shorter barrels to keep it compact. Try a few at your local gun shop and pick the one you like best
 
Everyone has different preferences. I have seen a few norincos that seem to shoot pretty well, but I choose not to have any chinese products.

I chose an 870 because they are plentiful, reliable and not expensive, though cost would be my last consideration for a firearm that I might need to trust my life to. Ease of use, reliability and robustness are all important. The ability to fire birdshot, buckshot, flares and bear bangers is useful across a range of situations. ammo is also available nearly everywhere.

Parts are easily had with over 10 million manufactured, you can get parts nearly anywhere. Reliability is assured with most police agencies choosing the 870 model.

I have a whole range of shotguns including pistol grips, but I always end up back with a basic shotgun. Simple is best for me. The standard synthetic stock is smooth and easy to carry snag free, easy to pack and remove from a bag or sheath. The synthetic stock also has room fro a tiny survival kit with matches, cord and fishing bits.

I prefer a short barrel. There is not much increase in lethality past 10 inches, but accuracy is reduced. It is a scatter gun. I use a 12.5 with a mod choke installed, and a simple low profile bead sight. I carry # 1 buck shot with one spot empty in the mag for a select slug (or birdshot) drill if I need to.

I have the ability to mount a light if needed and upgraded the 870 with a police mag spring, S&J follower/sling loop/jumbo safety kit.

What ever you choose, make sure it works for you and with your other gear and you practice with it before the bear tries to eat you.
 
You might consider a single-shot hinge action gun like an old Cooey or an H&R Topper. These guns are pretty short when the barrels are shortened to 19" or 20" and they fit nicely in a pack when they are broken down. The shortened barrel is about the the same length as the lower receiver and stock, and with the bead mounted on a pedestal, that barrel length provides a decent sighting arrangement. Choke tubes are a nice addition, and a sidesaddle can be screwed to one side or the other of the butt stock.

I don't like to see pistol grip only shotguns. They'll work to a point, and I've seen lots of people carry these things, usually a pump, in the mistaken belief that they actually gain something without that pesty butt stock in the way. But I've never met anyone who can shoot one as well as with a butt stock. If you wanted strictly a chicken gun, or a small game gun, perhaps a pistol grip only single shot would be the answer, as there is much less forward weight, and the recoil of heavy field loads isn't great.
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I am on my blackberry now so I will try to redpond the best I can.

The pitol grip was just a though, but will probably just stay with a regular syth stock.

This gun will be used for slugs only, I have a hunting shotgun...this is a survival gun only.

Good call on the flares for a 12g...never even thought of that.

I am guessing I will go with the 870...good call on the don't worry about price when looking at a gun to save your life.
 
Like I asked before, what's your definition of a survival gun?

If it's needed to put food in your stomach, I'd choose the rifle. Just imagine seeing a deer at 100m and all u have is a short barreld smooth bore 12g with a slug.

If its just to have and be more for protection a shotgun with slugs will work just fine.

As far as the pistol grip is concerned I am sorry but there is no comparison. Yes u could probably place a decent shot at a grouse 10 yards away, but let's see u make a 50m shot with a slug, or better yet a quick follow up shot. Not saying it can't be done, only that it can't be done half as well as with a full stocked gun. And I do have a Maverick 88 with a pistol grip that I have used quite extensively, but the only use it sees is on the action range.
 
if you are dead set on a shotgun :

pistol grip only, i'm sorry, is pretty useless. unless you want to look cool at the range.
there I said it.
I've had and shot about 5 different shotguns, (rem 870, mossy 500, mav 88, DA griz, and a single shot of unknown mfg.) all with different PGO and sight configurations ( ghost ring, bead, tru-glo,rifle sights) at everything from flying clay pigeons, gophers, beavers, even took a coyote with PGO 870.


Noted the following things :
-They are not easy to use, but easy to deploy.
-the best way to aim and shoot them is very close to how you would with a full stock. (hold the grip in the same position it normally would be in with a full stock, lock left arm) This allows for a consistent sight picture.

-Shooting from the hip or sideways close to the chest while sighting down the barrel are pretty much useless unless you are very close range.

-lighter rounds work much better. 3 inch 000 buck stings the wrist a bit.

- moving targets are a challenge compared to full stocks

-IMHO, go for a folding stock. It's not vertically space friendly, but gives you the best of both worlds.
 
Haha...I regret mentioning the pistol grip...it was just a thought. I never had my mind set on it really.

To me a survival gun is a gun that is with by the fire, around the camp or close to my bed when I sleep. It will be used for oh #### moments...still hope no bear thinks we are tasty.
Was think to mabey get a used 870 and get a gunsmith to cut the barrel down? This would work would it not?
 
- Mossberg 500, Maverick 88 Security or Remington 870 for ease of parts/repair/accessories.
- 18.5 or 20" barrel gives you compact but also wingshooting in a pinch. It also ensures that no velocity is lost from certain loads using shorter than standard barrels or an excessively bright muzzle blast that ruins your night vision in a critical moment.
- If you expect winter use, get a 12" LOP Hogue stock to counter the bulk of winter gear.
- Find yourself a nice rubberized forend for good grip in wet weather.
- The more crap you hang off of it, the more it weighs and snags on branches.
- Bring a selection of slugs and #4 shot so you only have two types of ammo in two different colours, no confusion.
- Even better would be to use slugs only and bring a compact .22 as a small game getter. Something like a H&R Sportster or Marlin Papoose.

Really short barrels are neat in their own way but for a measely extra 4 to 8 inches, you have something with more function and better sight plane for when each shot really counts.
 
CTS said:
Haha...I regret mentioning the pistol grip...it was just a thought. I never had my mind set on it really.

To me a survival gun is a gun that is with by the fire, around the camp or close to my bed when I sleep. It will be used for oh s**t moments...still hope no bear thinks we are tasty.
Was think to mabey get a used 870 and get a gunsmith to cut the barrel down? This would work would it not?
Click to expand...

i'd just buy a 870 express with 18.5 barrel. $350-400 at most big sporting good stores.

warranty, plus knowing its in good condition.
if you can really get lucky, a 18.5 or 20 inch barrel thats threaded for choke tubes...
 
Get an 870, its the do all gun (and yes you can consitently hit a pie plate at 100m with smooth bore 14" barrel an slugs).

PS Love how you snuck the bear defense thread in under the guise of a survival gun :cool:d:h:
 
I will probably get the 870, as it seems to be the do all gun.

Haha...I actually searched for camp/survival gun...never even though about searching for a bear defence gun.
 
some may scoff at the 870 express tactical but its probably the most well versed shotgun on the market if you like having options. Its threaded for remchokes so you can adjust your pattern to do damn near anything you need it to (except shoot laser beams) and has a huge aftermarket and quite a few factory options. I'm more of a keep it simple kind of guy with my defense guns so dont get too hung up on trinkets you may never need. You'd be surprised how heavy you can make a shotgun with just a few mods. Bead sight or ghost ring is really up to you. Some prefer one over the other but its just preference, both can be used very effectively. With an 18.5" bbl and +2 extension you can fit 7 rds of 2 3/4" in the tube and 1 in the chamber. You most likely wont get more than a couple shots off if your lucky, but I would rather have the shells IN the gun when I need them rather than trying to reload under pressure.
 
Maverick 88 is cheaper and lighter for hiking.

The new Rem Express shotguns I have handled have felt like they aren't worth the extra money you are spending on them!

You can get a Mossberg 2 barrel combo for the same price and it is still a lighter gun.

If it has to be a Remington buy a used 870. I guarantee it will be of better quality, and the action won't feel like sand is stuck in it, and the finish might not rust up after the first rainfall!

Do a google search for Rem Xpress problems.
 
Here's a link to my preference for a camp/survival shotgun... Not very "tacticool", but it fits my needs to a tee. The only thing I may add at some point is a sling plate between the receiver and butstock. I also have a 20" rifle sighted barrel if I feel the need for more range or precision, but I am pretty confident out to 50 yards with the 12.5", especially after the addition of the Remington sights.

This gun gets carried on a daily basis when I am working in the bush.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332120
 
Thanks very much for the replies...very much appreciated.

All I really want on the gun is a flashlight...that I'm thinking is a must.

I will have to go a fondle some guns at the store, and see what feels good.

Still liking the idea of a used one
 
CTS said:
Haha...I regret mentioning the pistol grip...it was just a thought. I never had my mind set on it really.

To me a survival gun is a gun that is with by the fire, around the camp or close to my bed when I sleep. It will be used for oh s**t moments...still hope no bear thinks we are tasty.
Was think to mabey get a used 870 and get a gunsmith to cut the barrel down? This would work would it not?[/QUOTE]

You can cut the barrel yourself, you dont have to go to a gunsmith.
As long as it is over 18 in , go for it with a pipe cutter or a hacksaw. After cutting use a round file to the inside of the bore and a flat file to the outside and then touch it up with some blueing .
I made a shorty single shot 12 guage for my ATV and I left the butt stock alone .
DSC04066.jpg


I have the Norinco HP-9 as well ..14 in barrel (it is a copy of the 870 ...good little shotgun)
Click to expand...
 
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