general purpose survival shotgun

In Canada I'd go for a 14 inch 870, standard stock, rifle sights, with a light. Mac
 
I would stay away from rifle-style sights unless you plan on using the shotgun for deer or similar sized game. If you had to use it to defend against an animal attack, you would have little need (or time) for aimed fire at a distance of 50 yards or more, which is where rifle-style iron sights would be helpful. I have achieved acceptable accuracy from a non-rifled slug out of a smooth bore barrel with just a bead sight over limited (30-40 yrd) distances. Also, I would find sights less than appealing for hunting small game, especially anything that flies!

Stick with the 870 (or the 500), 3" chamber and a bead sight. If you find that you would like something more visible, look at adding a fiber optic front sight.
 
I am a full time gunsmith and work on all brands all the time you cant go wrong with the 870 it is one of the toughest ever built and best of all an endless supply of parts.
 
If you want a Pump Scattergun Remington 870 or Mossy 500/590
I like a good solid single shot as well ,nimble & less moving parts to rely on
 
I'll echo what most everyone else is saying. Get a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 590 and be done with it.

If you plan on carrying it around for self-defense and in heavily wooded areas, then a shorter barrel may be desireable.

If you're worried about weight you can get a double barrel shotgun, which will be a few inches shorter than a pump or auto, weighs considerably less than a pump or auto and there's few moving parts to go wrong. I can't remember who's making it right now, but someone is making an 18" stage coach shotgun that is amazingly light and short, but way over priced.

My pride and joy shotgun is a Scattergun Technologies (based on a Rem 870) Standard Shotgun. It never fails, is accurate out to about 120 meters, has an 18" barrel, tritium front sight, and a tough finish. My only complaint is that it's heavy and I would have liked a shorter stock on it (too long when wearing body armor), which is something I'll eventually replace. I would also like to send my barrel into Hans for a Vang Comp.
 
You know I think Stoeger had a decent double coach gun a few years ago. Might hunt one of those down, would cover all bases.
 
Will said:
What I can't figure out is the other stuff (stock type, chamber, barrel length, sights etc.) so I was wondering what those who hunt and use shotguns thought. Manuverability and light weight are important.
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I would absolutely avoid the pistol grip stock. IMO the standard stock is far superior.

The 3.5" chamber is nice but certainly not necessary.

A 20" barrel is a good compromise though I'd be OK with 18" as well.

Rifle sights are nice if your primary use is self-defense or deer hunting. If it's an all around shotgun then I'd prefer bead sights.
 
+1 on the Stoeger Coach Gun ! I bought one about 2 years ago and it's a great little 3" 12 guage.
 
Will said:
What do you guys think the best configuration is for a survival shotgun? This is for extended hiking or canoe trips in the backcountry where the gun has to serve double duty for bear/cougar defence and putting small game (rabbits, squirrels, birds etc) on the table. Human defence is not an issue. I am thinking:

12 ga
pump
20-22 inch barrel with rifle sights
improved cylinder (so it take slugs, maybe a full choke as well for more distance?)
3 inch chamber (I hear 3.5 sometimes have feeding/ejecting problems with smaller shells)
full stock with pistol grip (not sure about the pistol grip, maybe normal stock is better for all round?)

My shotgunning experience so far consists of a single session of busting clays so I am by no means an expert on the subject.
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I like the Rem 870 with their 18" cylinder fixed smoothbore barrel with a bead front sight (only)... It's short, light, fast, and can do anything I'd ask it to do (I'd never ask MY shotgun to shoot sabot slugs!). I think a 2 3/4 inch chamber is fine although 3 inch seems to be the de facto standard. How your shotgun performs is based at least partially on what you feed it... might be worth some ammunition research.

Additional modifications you might also consider:
1) Remove the block from the magazine - at least - and some folks add magazine extensions to defensive shotguns. I don't think that mag extensions are my cup of tea but an 870 with an 18 inch barrel can accept a 2 shot extension and still have a magazine that is a bit shorter than the barrel
2) If you plan to shoot a fair amount of heavy recoil ammunition, you might like to change the butt stock to a Knoxx recoil reducing stock (link). I have heard it is a great improvement especially with slugs.
41-10-Category_Primary_Image.jpeg

3) You mentioned rifle sights - I like a regular (bead sight) barrel most of the time but I also like red dot sights (EOTech)... It is an easy matter to mount a rail on top of the Rem 870 receiver. Then you could mount or unmount your favorite red dot (or any other) sight as you see fit... EOTech makes a sight (XPS2) that would go great on top of a shotgun... :D
XPS2.jpg


The barrel that I like is the 18" cylinder smoothbore (RBL4620). The one that you make reference (20 inch, rifle sights, Remchoke, smoothbore) is the RBL4545. Personally, I don't like screw in chokes so I would be inclined to the version with a fixed IC choke (20", rifle sights, smoothbore) - RBL4622. I don't like rifled barrels at all (for use with sabot slugs) so I wouldn't get one - they really dispurse the pattern on bird/buck shot ammunition rather quickly so they are really only for use with slugs... I wouldn't want to carry spare barrel(s)... All these barrels are for the Remington 870 and can be found here. Prices range from $139 to $195.

Enjoy!:D
 
I've got the 870 express with 28" barrel, it also has the 20" IMP CYL rifle sighted barrel which is currently the one I like to take with me. I think they call it the "combo"
 
a couple buddies of mine spent alot of time working in the backroads around BC and had shotguns for protection. One had a mossberg 590 and the other had a rem 870.

they never had to use it on a bear and on weekends they'd shoot clays for fun. if it had to be a shotgun, i'd go with the 870 like everyone else here suggests.

if i could choose something else? i'd take a marlin lever action in 45-70 or in 30-30. just my personal choice.

i think in the end, regardless of what you get, practice and more practice will determine the end results. training with the gun as well as learning to avoid bear encounters (although sometimes they are inevitable) is best.
 
I think you're on track with a pump action and although 20ga is adequate, the 12ga is just more versatile. I'm like Vector...I think you'd be served well with either a Rem 870 or Mossy 500; I just started with Mossberg, comfortable with the manual of arms and never had an issue.

As much as I love ghost ring sights, for your purpose the bead would be a much better sight as outdoorsfan recommends.

I have a few Mossbergs, but I really like my combo...pump 500, 12ga-3" chamber, two barrels: an 18.5" cylinder bore and a 28" vent-rib with set of Accu chokes. Not much you can't handle with that combo and a decent selection of ammo.

ROCK6
 
Will said:
in the backcountry where the gun has to serve double duty for bear/cougar defence and putting small game (rabbits, squirrels, birds etc) on the table. Human defence is not an issue.
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Human defense is always an issue. Everywhere you go in this world, even if you go where you'll find the maximum population of bears and the minimum of humans, you are much more likely to be attacked by a human than a bear.
 
Manuverability and light weight are important.
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If lightweight is important and hunting is the only goal than a single shot may well be the answer.

A Remington 870 with a ninja sight and an extended magazine weighs 10 lbs or more loaded.

If carry is important, then all the other modern shotguns--Mossberg, Browning, Benelli, Franchi, Beretta, Winchester and FN-- have alloy receivers and are much lighter.

EDIT: just noticed you are in BC so bear defense is a real concern. I'd prolly pick a pump or auto too.
 
Ya, bear defence is an issue. I hate to be bear paranoid, and I am not, I am very well versed in bear avoidance and dealing with bears in general. I have had a good number of encouters with black bears within several yards without any problems. I just figured if I am going to carry a gun, may well be more than just a .22 dinner getter. I suppose a light compact .22 like the Henry US Survival could be matched to a Marlin 1895 guide gun or a 12 ga slug gun, but I am in the market for a general purpose shotgun anyway.

It seems like the standard stock and the bead sight beat the pistol grip stock and rifle sights. I thought the bead was only good for moving targets but what do I know. Whatever get I will have to practice with a lot, which is were the fun is :D.

Anyone know how rifled slugs (through a smooth barrel) compare to sabots (through a rifled barrel) in terms of penetration at close range. I know sabots have the edge for accuracy and longer range. Any difference in shooting rifled slugs through a cylinder choke versus a modified choke?
 
The Mossberg is the only mil-spec shotgun (I think) for whatever that's worth. I love my Mossberg 500 but it's the only pump I've ever had so I don't really have anything to compare it to. They're usually really inexpensive used.
 
TheGame said:
The 870 is a proven shotgun. Had one in my family for a long time, and it has never failed. Not from any stories I've heard of it either.

Great shotgun :thumbup:
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I agree. The 870 is a great model. I have two. A Wingmaster and a Home Defense model.

How about a picture of yours. I love seeing old 870's.
 
I like the Maverick because it has a crossbolt safety instead of a tang safety, and it has all of the other advantages of a Mossberg 500. Also, it is cheaper.
 
I own 870's and a benelli super black eagle. These are hunting versions. 870's are solid, but the benelli defensive pumps are catching my eye. Sure there more money, but sometimes the cool factor has it's place.
 
I took a single-shot 12 ga. , and shortened the barrel to 19".(legal here.) Comes apart in 3 pieces for the pack,and packs a wallop! Close range only, but works for me.

I really regret selling my 870 though. Dumb move.
 
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