Patriot Arsenal: 3 Guns Every American Should Own – The Shotgun

Thus far in this series of articles we have considered the defensive rifle and pistol. It is now only reasonable that we would discuss the shotgun and which gauge, style or configuration will fit best into our aforementioned Patriot Arsenal home defense kit.  

An American Tradition

Just as we made our recommendations for the rifle and pistol based upon reliability, ease of use, and availability of ammunition; we will use those same criteria for the fowling-piece.

Smooth-bore firearms being used as shotguns predate the cartridge by about 200 hundred years. The flintlock shotgun was a staple in the homes of those who settled these United States. There are an estimated 65 million shotguns of all makes and models in the USA. Naturally, that is only a rough estimate as millions of shotguns have been passed down from generation to generation long since before Big Brother decided to try and track them. 

Back before the AR craze, the standard home defense firearms for most Americans were either a double-action revolver, generally for urban folks, and the shotgun, for just about everywhere else. Even folks who did not consider themselves sportsmen or “gun people” would generally have at least one shotgun in their houses. When I was growing up, a shotgun in a closet was as common, or more so, as a baseball bat or set of golf clubs. 

The shotgun is likely the most universal of all firearms due to the variety of ammunition. Depending on the chosen load: a shotgun can be used to take birds and small game, bag large game, defend the homestead, or engage in recreational competition on the weekends.  

The average spread of 00 buckshot from a cylinder bore shotgun is ½ to 1 inch per yard traveled. Shotguns do not “fill the hallway” with shot.You do need to “aim” to hit your target. 

Ammunition Considerations

As we dealt with during the previous installments, we must consider all the makes and models available and come up with a sensible solution. For our Patriot Arsenal shotgun, the recommendation is a pump-action (slide-action) 12 gauge shotgun with a tubular magazine. 

First, 12 gauge is the most prevalent type of ammunition for shotguns in the United States and there is a greater variety of such than any other; even the 20 gauge. When I was a young man in rural Ohio, 20 gauge was cheaper than 12 gauge. Therefore that gauge was what we teenagers shot the most on our farms, at least where shotguns were concerned. Today, that has changed. While shopping for shotgun ammunition, I found there was no significant savings in choosing 20 over 12.

While we are on the subject, if you are going to be an intelligent shooter, you should know where the term “gauge” originated as opposed to “caliber”.

The gauge of a shotgun has for centuries been determined by the number of round lead balls of that diameter which will equal one Imperial pound. So, it takes 12 round lead balls of that diameter to equal a pound for a 12 gauge. A 16 gauge shotgun means that it takes sixteen round lead balls, etc. The original 16 gauge ball/slug weighed 1 ounce. The original 12 gauge ball or slug weighed 1 and ¼ ounce of lead. The 10 gauge, quite a monster, but rare today, fired 1 and ½ ounce slugs. The .410 is not a true “gauge” it is a “caliber”. Our lesson here is that when it comes to gauge, the smaller the number, the larger the bore diameter.

Interestingly, the same applies to the size of shot fired from a shotgun. You see, 00 buckshot is larger than #4 buckshot or BB’s (.17 caliber). Field loads are the same; #6 shot is larger than #9 shot. For snakes and rats, #12 shot is used because it is tiny. 

Modern slug ammunition, however, does not always follow the old rules. While the old “Foster” type 12 gauge slugs were a true 1 ¼ ounce of lead, many modern 12 gauge slugs weigh an even ounce. When it comes to 00 buckshot, a typical 12 gauge shell contains nine projectiles, but there are eight pellet “Tactical” loads available. 

Keep in mind, with 00 buckshot loads, you get either eight or nine .33 caliber lead pellets. Decades ago, I learned that the average spread of 00 buckshot from a cylinder bore shotgun is ½ to 1 inch per yard traveled. Shotguns do not “fill the hallway” with shot. You do need to “aim” to hit your target. 

The most common size for the 12 gauge is a 2 ¾ inch shell. The 3 and 3 ½ inch shells offer greater effective range (distance) but will thump your shoulder noticeably. I have said for years that the 3 ½ inch turkey and goose loads should come with a rubber mouthguard to help keep your dental fillings in place. The 1 ¾ inch 12 gauge “shorties” or “hater-tots” are interesting and can be practical and useful. I’ve been shooting them for about 15 years or so.  

Shotgun Actions

Modern shotguns are breech-loaded, pump-action, semi-automatic, and, occasionally, lever-action. Breech-loaded shotguns have a simple manual of arms, but only hold two rounds at most. Yes, there are “Triple-Barrel” shotguns in the world. If you feel like dropping $1500 to $2000 on one, go for it.

Gas-operated, semi-automatic shotguns can be great. Beretta, Benelli, and the new Mossberg semi-auto shotguns have proven to be very reliable with high and low brass shells. Nonetheless, these are not “entry-level” or “economical” guns. Many imported semi-automatic shotguns tend to be picky eaters. 

The pump-action, also properly referred to as a slide-action, 12 gauge shotgun is robust, reliable, and has a rather easy to learn manual of arms. With the manually operated pump-action, there is no worry about function with low or high brass shells.

Of all three types of firearms discussed to this point, the 12 gauge shotgun will offer the greatest amount of perceived recoil. There is no getting around that. Also, while the rifle and pistol recommendations are for “self-loading” guns, you need to learn to work the action and that will take time and dedication. I highly recommend that you take a fighting shotgun class. The experience will be eye-opening and a lot of fun to boot.

Remember the parameters set during the first installment of this series; we are not discussing the maximum number of guns available, we are recommending three guns that every American Patriot should own and understand how to use effectively. The 12 gauge pump-action falls into that category. 

In the United States of America, as these words are written, the King of the Fighting Shotgun is O.F. Mossberg. The Connecticut arms maker effectively knocked Remington off that throne when the latter fornicated the canine during the last decade. Yes, the old Remington 870 is a fantastic fighting shotgun. However, the modern Mossberg 590 is just as good or better in some opinions.  

The specific gun in my Patriot Arsenal hardcase is the Mossberg 590A1. That is a personal choice as I carried both the Remington 870 and Mossberg 590A1 while a United States Marine. When I became a police officer, I used both models and over the years I have come to appreciate the feel and function of the 590. No, I would not feel handicapped with an 870, but I’m an adult and can choose whichever I please. 

Parting Shots

While there are those who might view the shotgun as a distance tool because it is a long gun, just as we considered with the rifle for home defense, the shotgun is a power tool. No handgun, regardless of caliber, can offer the ballistic efficiency of a 12 gauge loaded with 00 buckshot. Remember, the goal of home defense is not wounding, it is STOPPING the threat as fast as possible. A well-placed round from a 12 gauge shotgun has been doing just that for centuries.   

 

Paul G. Markel is the founder of Student the Gun University and has been teaching Small Arms & Tactics to military personnel, police officers, and citizens for over three decades. He is the author of numerous books and is a combat decorated United States Marine veteran.