Shotgun Forums banner
Cancel

Shorter Camping Shotgun?

2311 Views 22 Replies 1 Participant Last post by  ShotgunPro, 
S
Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice/help. I'm very interested in buying/building a smaller, more packable camping shotgun. 12ga

I have a Winchester 1300 that I'm not using much, but shorter barrels seem hard to come by at a decent price and the stocks that collapse, I'm not sure that would really cut down the length even with the shorter barrel. (Do they?)

I have two barrels for it now, a 28" "bird" barrel and a 20" smooth bore slug barrel. The 20" is probably short enough but would that handle 00 Buck well?

Also, the rear sight on the slug barrel broke off (not from me)...so my debate is trade it in or fix it up. I'm pretty sure I don't want a pistol grip only gun, so I need something that performs well....there is nothing really wrong with this one, it simply no longer fits what I want/need and it seems I may be able to pick up one that does for what it would cost to fix this one up with trading it in....

Thanks in advance for any help.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
S
Remington 870 Express - 18" barrel - 12ga - 3"chamber - 6+1 rounds with mag extension - Many collapsible stocks available - many after market attachments and parts. About $315. Also, several easily enterchangeable barrels makes it multipurpose.

Here is the link: http://www.remington.com/product-families/firearms/shotgun-families/pump-action-model-870.aspx
Reply
Save
Like
S
dhardy57 said:
Remington 870 Express - 18" barrel - 12ga - 3"chamber - 6+1 rounds with mag extension - Many collapsible stocks available - many after market attachments and parts. About $315.
Click to expand...
ding ding ding


Plain...simple...will outlast, the only problem is...no choke
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
S
There are several barrels available with various chokes, with rifling, with smooth bore, with rifle sights, with integral scope mounts, long or short from $150 to $250. Takes about 5 minutes to swap them out for what ever your current use is. Besides, makes a GREAT HD/SD weapon! :)
Reply
Save
Like
S
Mossberg

Mossberg also has multiple 12 ga with 18.5 barrel with plenty of accessories fo go with it.

Try Gallery of Guns.

You have alot of options with either Remington or Mossberg.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Get a coach gun. About as compact as a shotgun gets without going NFA.
Reply
Save
Like
S
What about that Mossberg 500 cruiser that came in the tube? That would be a pretty sweet camping set up.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Thank you for all the replies...Yes I've looked into the Mossberg camper, but I'd have to had some sort of a folding stock as I don't like the idea of a pistol grip only.

After doing some more searching, I'm starting to lean toward a 20ga youth shotgun set up, light weight, more compact, inexpensive, and will take care of anything I may come across. Plus when my son gets a bit older, it can become his bird gun.

I MAY and that's a big may, run into a black bear (Northern MN), but most likely not. I just want something with a little more punch than just my XDM compact 9mm along for camping.

So while I would like bigger and badder, well that doesn't pack well or carry well and it seems a 20ga will take care of the remote chance I'd run into a bear. Plus I'm not solo camping so there would most likely be other shooters IF it were an issue.
Reply
Save
Like
S
If a black bear charges you, are you planning on unfolding the folding stock before you fire at it? I'm not particularly a fan of PGO (pistol-grip-only) shotguns but they're hard to beat for size/convenience. Equipping them properly and then learning how to shoot them properly are critical elements in their successful deployment. Put a sling on them, like the Urban ERT sling for the SIG P556 pistol, and learn how to use the sling to carry the firearm as well as shoot it with relative accuracy.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Again, coach gun. Lighter than the pump, handier than the pump. Load one tube with buck, one with a slug. Bear medicine, ready to go. Buttstock gives aimabiltiy and control that will be lacking with a PGO shotgun.

Available in 20ga as well.
Reply
Save
Like
S
and they're soo freakin' fun to shoot.

light too. I need to add a Stoeger in nickel to my collection someday soon.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Cuda66 said:
Again, coach gun. Lighter than the pump, handier than the pump. Load one tube with buck, one with a slug. Bear medicine, ready to go. Buttstock gives aimabiltiy and control that will be lacking with a PGO shotgun.

Available in 20ga as well.
Click to expand...
I'm trying to pick one of these up right now. There a few at the local shops that I got my eye on.
Reply
Save
Like
S
look at the super shorty from serbu.com
Reply
Save
Like
S
3
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
S
CZ-USA -> CZ 712 UTILITY
Reply
Save
Like
S
Cuda66 said:
Again, coach gun. Lighter than the pump, handier than the pump. Load one tube with buck, one with a slug. Bear medicine, ready to go. Buttstock gives aimabiltiy and control that will be lacking with a PGO shotgun.

Available in 20ga as well.
Click to expand...
My only argument against the coach gun (and I own one) is a round count of ... wait for it ... TWO. Personally, capacity is one of the key factors I look for in a bear defense gun. If a bear attacks me, I want to keep putting rounds into it until it's down for good.

A PGO shotgun can be controlled almost as well as one with a stock ... if you properly utilize a sling like I mentioned in my previous post.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Someday, when they become more widely available, this might be the perfect camping/SHTF/HD shotgun.

Kel Tec CNC

Until then, any shotgun with an 18" barre will have to do the job. If that's too bulky, then get a large caliber pistol like this one.

Product: Model S&W500
Reply
Save
Like
S
Thanks again for all the suggestions! This forum is great....You never know what you are missing until you ask....
Reply
Save
Like
S
Dont use a regular Foster slug for bear defense.

The Brenneke slug will not flatten out and fragment like the Foster slugs will. They penetrate waaaaay better and crush anything that gets in their path on the far side of an animal....
Reply
Save
Like
S
can you shoot slugs out of a modified choke?

I can't honestly remember.

Most coach guns run one barrel modified and the other cylinder.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Shotgun Forums
A forum community dedicated to all shotgun owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Shotgun Talk New Members Introductions Shotgun Reloading Tactical Shotgun Talk Mossberg Shotgun Forum
Top