What Happened to the Love for the Shotgun?

[typetwelve]

The AR crowd has all but replaced the shotgun in the hands of many people, be they Law Enforcement or legally armed citizenry.

It's the same deal as when autos replaced revolvers back when.

I still keep an 870 Police by the bed, though. Trusty and while not as much firepower as an Armalite, it should do the trick just fine.

I really think this is the case. The firearms world of post 2004 has been heavily focused on AR's. Before the 90's AWB, AR's weren't nearly as popular as they are now and during the AWB, they weren't cheap...so many looked to the good old trusty shotgun.

Personally, I hate them. I don't find them fun to shoot, but I'd never dismiss the complete functionality of them, it really is the do-all firearm. Due to the types of ammo, there's really little you cannot do with one. With that said, I own one...and for me that's plenty.

 

[H Richard]

I consider myself primarily a handgunner, but the older I get the more I like trap & skeet.
I do have a BT99+ trap gun, a Citori Special Sporting Clays O/U skeet & clays gun, a Ugartechea 12 ga SXS for playing around and some skeet, a Mod 12 Feather weight IC for birds and an occasional round of skeet, a SKB 500 20 ga. O/U dove gun (and occasional skeet) and a Winchester 37 .410 single shot I have had since I was 10.

I do probably shoot more .22RF and 9mm, 45, & 38 than I do shotgun , but I figure I load about 1000-1200 12 ga a year.

 

[Dump1567]

I still keep an 870 Police by the bed, though. Trusty and while not as much firepower as an Armalite, it should do the trick just fine.

I've got one under the bed with a surefire light. At room distance, 1 shot = 8-12 chances of a pellet connecting.

 

[NYlakesider]

I really think this is the case. The firearms world of post 2004 has been heavily focused on AR's. Before the 90's AWB, AR's weren't nearly as popular as they are now and during the AWB, they weren't cheap...so many looked to the good old trusty shotgun.

Personally, I hate them. I don't find them fun to shoot, but I'd never dismiss the complete functionality of them, it really is the do-all firearm. Due to the types of ammo, there's really little you cannot do with one. With that said, I own one...and for me that's plenty.

For our long gun defense I keep a shot gun close for things that go bump in the night. We live rural and if the cavalry could be called could be a 1/2 hour away.

I have two pump Mossies one a 9 shot and another a 10 round box magazine model, ARs are OK (restricted to 10 rounds in our peoples republic) I have shot plenty but as bears could be a problem I use the 12 gauge, its loaded to fire 5-6 00 buck followed by slugs in my loading sequence. Plenty of extra ammo on a bandoleer and a second magazine ready to go.

 

[Dump1567]

These look cool until you try to use them, then they end up being sold for cheap. OK for a range toy, I suppose; but my life is too important to stake on one of those. The serious shooters use real guns.

I'd take my 686 over one of these, even against multiple home invaders. It might keep me alive. With the shockwave type of shotgun, you'll stand a good chance of being outgunned, outshot, and killed.

I've found I can shoot my Tac-14 fairly accurately if I use the sight. Hip fire, not so much.

This was bird shot at 10 yards.

Personally, I think they can serve a purpose for certain occasions. But the KS7 from Kel-tec is the same length, holds more ammo, and allows shouldering. But it does have a slightly bigger profile though.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I used to have a shotgun addiction. I even imported a few SxS's from England. I started bird hunting when I was about 12 and continued all through my life. Shot a lot of skeet and trap also. I think I've owned maybe 15 or so. I still own a few but they just sit in the safe.

Pawngal has a pretty good take on it but I'll add a few things.

Shotgun sales have been slowing down for a long time because of fewer hunters. Target guns are pretty specialized so can only absorb a small part of the field gun market.

Manufactures looked for a new angle to sell shotguns and created the home defense market. That got people all excited. Trainers started training and people started buying into 'the shotgun is best for HD' mantra. The fact is it isn't the best for HD but I won't go into the weeds with that here. I suspect we will see declining sales of tactical shotguns soon enough if it hasn't already started. Then the used racks will be lined with tactical shotguns along with the rest.

The LGS I visit has a entire rack of used Winchester, Remington, Ithaca and Mossberg pumps. I happened to notice about 6 model 12 Winchester shotguns the other day. Those were cream of the crop for pumps for a long time and there they are with no buyers.

I no longer hunt or shoot clays. I sold my reloading gear and all but a few shotguns. I'm probably a fairly typical shotgun owner who never bought a tactical shotgun. Selling instead of buying.

The original self defense firearm, the handgun, won't be jilted like the shotgun will be. JMO.

 

[NYlakesider]

I used to have a shotgun addiction. I even imported a few SxS's from England. I started bird hunting when I was about 12 and continued all through my life. Shot a lot of skeet and trap also. I think I've owned maybe 15 or so. I still own a few but they just sit in the safe.

Pawngal has a pretty good take on it but I'll add a few things.

Shotgun sales have been slowing down for a long time because of fewer hunters. Target guns are pretty specialized so can only absorb a small part of the field gun market.

Manufactures looked for a new angle to sell shotguns and created the home defense market. That got people all excited. Trainers started training and people started buying into 'the shotgun is best for HD' mantra. The fact is it isn't the best for HD but I won't go into the weeds with that here. I suspect we will see declining sales of tactical shotguns soon enough if it hasn't already started. Then the used racks will be lined with tactical shotguns along with the rest.

The LGS I visit has a entire rack of used Winchester, Remington, Ithaca and Mossberg pumps. I happened to notice about 6 model 12 Winchester shotguns the other day. Those were cream of the crop for pumps for a long time and there they are with no buyers.

I no longer hunt or shoot clays. I sold my reloading gear and all but a few shotguns. I'm probably a fairly typical shotgun owner who never bought a tactical shotgun. Selling instead of buying.

Well I shoot skeet with some fellows that have some very nice Model12s, and some even have 42s. Many people consider them baby Model 12s

You got to remember a good Model 12 will go for much more money than a run of the mill pump gun (and many other guns also)

Most of the people of today look at cost first!

 

[typetwelve]

I no longer hunt or shoot clays. I sold my reloading gear and all but a few shotguns. I'm probably a fairly typical shotgun owner who never bought a tactical shotgun. Selling instead of buying.

The original self defense firearm, the handgun, won't be jilted like the shotgun was.

Anymore, that's all I have...a tactical shotgun (man, I really am prejudice against the word "tactical" anymore). About 10 years ago, I picked up a new old stock FN TPS. It's built like a tank and works perfectly, so I sold my others and kept it.

I'll admit it, it has been years since I shot it, I really need to take it out.

I'd say that in a WROL situation, there really is no substitute for a shotgun. Ammo is plentiful, you can hunt nearly any kind of game with it...and its self defense capabilities are amazing. It's only real strong weakness is its long range capabilities and honestly, in WROL, you' wouldn't be sniping much anyway.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Anymore, that's all I have...a tactical shotgun (man, I really am prejudice against the word "tactical" anymore). About 10 years ago, I picked up a new old stock FN TPS. It's built like a tank and works perfectly, so I sold my others and kept it.

I'll admit it, it has been years since I shot it, I really need to take it out.

I'd say that in a WROL situation, there really is no substitute for a shotgun. Ammo is plentiful, you can hunt nearly any kind of game with it...and its self defense capabilities are amazing. It's only real strong weakness is its long range capabilities and honestly, in WROL, you' wouldn't be sniping much anyway.

In a WROL situation carbines will rule the roost like they have for about the last 130 years in this country. That's the reason that AR's have been trending for at least 15 years. Shotguns are limited in their application to HD.

I knew someone was going to bait me..

 

[typetwelve]

In a WROL situation carbines will rule the roost like they have for about the last 130 years in this country. That's the reason that AR's have been trending for at least 15 years. Shotguns are limited in their application to HD.

You know...I had to chew on this a bit. I really wanted to remain subjective.

I still disagree.

WROL is not open combat, nor is it law enforcement. There's little long range engagements and you really need a multi-tool.

A shotgun can be custom loaded for small, med, and large game. It can be used for breaching and anti-material uses. It is also anti-personnel. Ammo for a 12ga is plentiful and variable.

I won't discredit the use of an AR for a WROL situation...but if I still had to choose one (and only one) firearm in that situation, I'd take a shotgun.

That said, the military still uses them..often.

Yes, the U.S. Military Loves Shotguns. | The National Interest.



...and opinions vary.

 

[Donn]

Don't know about love, how about fondness and an abiding respect. My first firearm, (I was 18), was a Remington 1100 that I still have. My late father's Ithaca 16ga Model 37 and my Remington 870 12ga are also in the safe.

 

[BAM-BAM]

8 Years on High School and College Rifle teams.... makes it hard for me to like anything that "throws out a pattern"

I do own a few.......acquired "too cheap to leave behind" over the past 40 years........

Two over and unders one 12 and one 20....... Spanish and Italian recommended by local gunsmiths....... and the prices were right ....if I ever want to go bird hunting again.....I'll at least look the part of a country Gentleman!

Three Mossberg's...... two twelve gauges one 18"(5+1) the other 20"(7+1) and my favorite ........

A 510 Youth Model 20 gauge.... short 18" barrel; only 3+1 (+6 on the butt) with a 12" LOP...... it makes a nice General Purpose house gun for the whole family.

That said....... if the SHTF I'm more likely to grab a semi-auto 5.56 or a 9mm PCC.

 

[LostintheOzone]

You know...I had to chew on this a bit. I really wanted to remain subjective.

I still disagree.

WROL is not open combat, nor is it law enforcement. There's little long range engagements and you really need a multi-tool.

A shotgun can be custom loaded for small, med, and large game. It can be used for breaching and anti-material uses. It is also anti-personnel. Ammo for a 12ga is plentiful and variable.

I won't discredit the use of an AR for a WROL situation...but if I still had to choose one (and only one) firearm in that situation, I'd take a shotgun.

That said, the military still uses them..often.

Yes, the U.S. Military Loves Shotguns. | The National Interest.



...and opinions vary.

I certainly respect others opinions about this. Training is key with whatever you choose.

I train with a pistol and rifle every month. 15-25 yds with a pistol and 100-200 yds. with a semi-auto rifle.

 

[delcrossv]

Shotguns passe? Not if you ask my 20 year old son. Bought a Saiga 12 and then a Shockwave.

I'm looking at the CZ hammer SxS double myself.

 

[Drm50]

I can tell I'm getting old when Mossberg 500s are considered classics. At one time Mossbergs were only purchased because you couldn't afford anything else. Who would have thought they would end up owning the market? Rem 870 had it for years after the demise of milled guns. Now they have slipped into second place. The flood of $100-$125 foreign made
pumps makes single barrels to expensive for US makers.

 

[eb07]

I am a BIG fan of the shotgun. Have AR's and SCARS, but the trusty 12 gauge is my goto.

Bird:

Home Defense and Truck:

Serious Business:

 

[Grayfox]

I like shotguns, but I'm one of those guys who only has a couple to serve all my needs.
I've got a Mossberg 590 for HD. And then I have my fathers old Remington 11-48 12 gauge. Dad was an avid quail hunter and chased some rabbits too. I grew up with that shotgun. Its handles like a part of me and I almost always get solid hits with it.
Sadly quail and rabbit hunting pretty much came to an end around here about 15-20 years ago when the damned coyotes moved in.

 

[typetwelve]

I certainly respect others opinions about this. Training is key with whatever you choose.

I train with a pistol and rifle every month. 15-25 yds with a pistol and 100-200 yds. with a semi-auto rifle.

You are way more hospitable about this that many others, I'll say that. I don't know what it is about this topic, but some people act like you're insulting their child or something when this comes up.

...and you're right about training. There's no substitution for range time, no matter what you're shooting.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I Have 22 Shotguns:
**8 O/U's**
1-Superpose 12 gauge
1-Superpose 20 gauge
1- Citori 425 12 gauge
1- Citori 425 20 gauge
1- Citori Superlight 20 gauge
1- Citori Superlight 28 gauge grade VI
1- Citori Feather XS 28 gauge
1- Citori Feather XS 410
**5 Pump**
1-870 12 Gauge
2-97's 12 Gauge
2-500's 12 Gauge
**4 SxS**
2 12 gauge
2 20 gauge
**2 Autos**
1-390 12 gauge
1-391 20 gauge
**3 combo guns**
3- over 20 gauge

I spend a lot of time shooting Sporting Clays, and some time Cowboy Action Shooting.

Ivan

Ivan. I have some too. Some are dedicated to certain sports as turkey/rabbit/skeet etc. I built my own skeet field that is 125 yards from my front door. In the off season(hunting) I burn lots of 12/20/410 shotshells . In my opinion these stubby shotguns with with lights, turn signals, a box of shells hanging off the stock are utterly worthless. As far as defense give a 45 acp any day. I never wanted to be a mall ninja.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Ivan. I have some too. Some are dedicated to certain sports as turkey/rabbit/skeet etc. I built my own skeet field that is 125 yards from my front door. In the off season(hunting) I burn lots of 12/20/410 shotshells . In my opinion these stubby shotguns with with lights, turn signals, a box of shells hanging off the stock are utterly worthless. As far as defense give a 45 acp any day. I never wanted to be a mall ninja.

It may be a generation thing. Seems the older generation (boomers) that have used shotguns most of their lives for hunting and clays feel the same way you do about tactical shotguns. I also have some doubts about marketing not driving this "new" shotgun trend.

I got into a serious discussion about tactical shotguns on another forum with someone who trains people to use tactical shotguns. He was a proponent of the add ons like a ghost ring for more accuracy using buck shot. Not being a clays shooter or wing shooter he disputed my idea about being able to accurately hit anything without a rear sight of some type on a shotgun.

All that tells me is there was a serious lack of shooting skill using a shotgun on his part. I think he was heavily invested as a trainer and didn't like someone picking apart his mantra of tactical shotguns being the end all, be all, of HD.

Actually shotguns have been around for a long time being used in the same capacity they are today, they just got loaded up with things you don't actually need to be effective. Marketing has driven the tactical shotgun market to extremes. My dad used a model 97 with a 16" cyl bore barrel to carry his operating cash to and from his business. That was in the 60's. Effectively, it is equal to any tactical shotgun on the market today. I still have it in my safe and that's where it stays. I prefer a pistol for everything defensive. And it isn't because I don't know how to use a shotgun. I'm pretty sure I could win some money from that trainer in any venue he cared to participate in that didn't require crawling around under tables and jumping over logs. YMMV.