At a time when the world seems dominated by carbines, some ask, is the modern shotgun still a viable option in today’s defensive strategy?

My answer to that question is an astounding: absolutely! The shotgun is one of the most versatile weapon systems available within the protective arsenal, particularly with the advancements in modern ammunition and weapon technology. Also, when it comes to security and protective services in the USA outside of exceptional circumstances (natural disasters/government-appointed), most security or protective services rarely can carry a carbine legally from a working capacity.

Things to consider when selecting a shotgun:

• What is the intended purpose of the shotgun?
• Will it be primarily used for home protection or as a duty weapon?
• If this is a duty weapon are there specific departmental/agency requirements one must consider (i.e., pump action only)?
• What factors are most important in your selection criteria (capacity, maneuverability, concealability, simplicity, continuity of fire, accessories etc.)?
• How much time will you devote to training?
• Is the gauge appropriate for my intended application?
• Do I need a barrel with rifling for enhanced accuracy?
• Do I need a cylinder bore to accommodate a wider variety of loads?
  

While shotguns will range in gauge, my recommendation for personal defense or duty is 12 gauge, as it gives you the greatest variety of accessory and load options. Whether your need is velocity or penetration, there are various recoil-friendly loads available for the 12 gauge. When it comes to barrel length, I would consider barrel lengths in the 18 – 22 inch range based on need, whether tactical considerations of manoeuvrability or maintaining continuity of fire. Also, ask yourself if you prefer tubular, box, or drum-type magazines? 

Pump Shotguns
Pump Action – gets its name because the shooter pumps the movable fore-end/forearm back and forth to open and close the action. The pumping action empties the chamber and loads a new cartridge or shot-shell from the tubular magazine. It is easy to work for both right and left-hand shooters.

While we inherently understand the value of lights for handguns and carbines, lights for shotguns have almost become an afterthought.  Remember, lights allow us to verify the noise we hear is indeed a threat. That same logic and sense of responsibility reside across all weapons systems. Below, please find two of my favorite shotgun integrated forearm light systems: the Streamlight TL Racker and the Surefire DSF.

Integrated shotgun light forends (Approximately $125 – $349)

Streamlight TL Racker
The Streamlight TL Racker is one of the most affordable light integrated pump-action systems out there.  It features 1,000 lumens and 20,000 candela to produce the most powerful dedicated shotgun forend on the market. This massive level of power cuts through the darkness with ease.

The Surefire DSF was the original gangster integrated shotgun weapon lights. They have been around for decades, ever since 60 lumens was a lot of light.

The latest Surefire DSF series has been modernized over time. The Surefire DSF features a low 200-lumen setting or a high 600 lumens. The beam spreads and fills your peripheral vision with light. This light shines through a room, an alley, or a dark field with sheer unbridled intensity.

The Surefire DSF $350
DSF controls consist of seven different buttons. That sounds like a lot, but six of the buttons are designed to be ambidextrous controls. The seventh is a universal kill switch to keep the light from accidentally turning on. Three left, and three right controls allow you to access a momentary mode, a constant mode, and a button to swap the setting from high to low.

These massive controls take only a light touch to activate and deliver tactile feedback. The DSF configuration sees the light situated as a big hump in the pump. And this hump keeps your hand from moving forward in a push/pull technique.

Ammo Considerations
Penetration – shotguns should be set up to allow sufficient penetration to handle the job. Over penetration should be avoided to reduce the ability of accidental injures (speciality setups…00 buck, slugs, birdshot on ammo carriers).

When a shotgun is selected primarily for antipersonnel use, the choices of ammunition tend to decrease significantly and are typically limited to:

• Birdshot
• Buckshot or
• Slugs

Birdshot is rarely used for anything beyond home defense where engagement distances tend to be very close. Birdshot will often have sufficient stopping power for traditional home encounters or historic pistol defense distances. Birdshot size 71/2 is typically a good choice. Care should be considered when selecting the hotter birdshot loads as the increased velocity may lead to increased/over-penetration, which may not be required inside 10 yards.

Most shotguns will pattern differently with different types of ammunition. Consequently, trial and error are necessary to find the optimal ammunition for your weapon and your desires. The most important selection in buckshot should be pattern reliability. While the best efficiency is obtained by keeping the shot charge together as far as possible, thereby minimizing its shot spread; however, shot spread is what gives you the greatest margin for error. It allows you to make shots under tougher conditions than often possible with a rifle or handgun (single projectile bullet). Also, steel shot often creates massive wound cavities.

Benefits of Understanding the Spread or Pattern of your shotgun

• To increase the ability to hit moving targets.
• To minimize mis-hits/collateral damage when firing at close or long range.
• To maximize your ability to neutralize a threat.

To pattern your shotgun, you will need to go to the range bringing with you your shotgun, shotgun shells and some pieces of cardboard at least 40-inches square. To assist in centering the pattern as much as possible on the paper, draw a black 2-inch dot in the center of the paper. Place the paper against an appropriate backstop and measure the precise distance you desire to evaluate.

Step up to the distance line, aim at the black dot and fire. After placing your weapon on safe, walk downrange and draw a circle around the pattern. To accurately evaluate your patterns, fire a minimum of three patterns of each load, shot size and choke at each distance of interest.

Continue this process with multiple types of ammunition from multiple manufacturers until you find the optimal load and manufacturer type that best performs in your weapon.   

For home defense, it is highly recommended that you become familiar with the farthest distance you may have to engage an adversary in your home potentially. Understanding the engagement distances in conjunction with your pattern associated with them will enhance your effectiveness with the tool.

Maximizing your Shotguns Effectiveness – Engagement Considerations
Green Light Zone – Typically within 7 yards, the shot pattern has not had any discernible ability to expand at this distance.  If the target is hit at this distance, the impact is usually pretty decisive. Heightened accuracy is typically associated with the operator’s ability to index the muzzle or the sights on the target.  A perfect sight picture at this distance is usually not required, and tactically is probably not realistic if your adversary is armed. At this distance, proximity can negate skill.

Yellow Light Zone – Typically 10 to 30 yards, the shot pattern could expand at this distance and create a pretty defined spread, which may allow you to use that spread to enhance your ability to hit a moving target or give you more margin for error. This is the distance where the shotgun typically outperforms most handguns. You should use the sights to help enhance accuracy. 

When dealing with moving targets, this is where the saying “you don’t aim a shotgun, you point one” applies. You allow the benefit of the pattern spread to aid you in hitting your target.

Red Light Zone – Historically beyond 35 yards (30 – 50 yards), is where the shotgun may start to lose a large degree of its effectiveness. You may increase the reach by switching to slugs, used a restrictive choke, or higher velocity ammunition. With shot vs slugs, this is where the adversary may have the ability to walk through the pattern because the pattern becomes so wide the pellets may go around the target or have reduced/limited impact. This is the distance where some shotguns may be rendered less effective. 

Switching to slugs allows your shotgun to be still effective and become a short-range rifle, and with training, it may enable you to engage an adversary up to 100 yards. Sights are highly encouraged at this distance, particularly since you are firing a single projectile.

Conclusion
Pump Action
It is hard to beat the Kel Tec KSG with its bullpup operating system and 15 round capacity and a small footprint in concealability and capacity. If you want battle-tested, the Mossberg 590A1 and the Remington 870 variants have been serving the military, law enforcement and civilians for decades and offer the most varieties of aftermarket considerations from side saddles, weapons lights, and recoil friendly buttstocks etc. 

Semi Auto
When semi-automatic becomes the operating system of choice, few semi-auto shotguns cycle faster than the Benelli M4. Unfortunately, the downside with the M4 is the limited capacity of 5 +1 and the lack of aftermarket accessories. The Saiga 12 and the VEPR 12 are kings of capacity when it comes to the box feed or drum magazines with 10, 12 and 20 round options. There are incredibly reliable, battle-tested and are built on the Kalashnikov platform. The two major challenges are heavy from a weight standpoint, and while there are many in operation in the USA, the weapons were banned in 2014 from import after the Russian annexation of Crimea. However, outside of the USA, they are some of the most sought after combat shotguns. That affectionately moves the Mossberg 930 SPX to the front of the class from an assessable price point, generous capacity (8 + 1), aftermarket accessories and reputation of the Mossberg name.

 

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The Modern Shotgun
By Mark “Six” James CPO, EPS, CAS 

Mark “Six” James is Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection Services, LLC.  He is an internationally published author, keynote speaker, security consultant to educational institutions and frequent contributor to several print, broadcast and online media.  Panther Protection Services is a full-service protection agency focusing on Risk and Crisis Mitigation, Protective Services, Self-Defense Training, and Firearm Instruction. 
www.pantherprotectionservices.com