Getting started with shotgun shooting

Shotguns have a number of advantages:

• Ubiquitous. Every gun store has a selection of shotguns available.

• Inexpensive. Reliable used shotguns can be purchased for as little as $100.

• 12 gauge shotgun shells are one of the most

  

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  at home.

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• Shotgun shells can be made with

  

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I've collected some guns and accessories for someone looking to get into shotgun shooting.

1. Shotguns

   • Mossberg 88 - A well-regarded,

     

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     12 gauge shotgun that can be purchased new for $200 - $300.

   • ATI Bulldog SGA 18.5" Bullpup - $327

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   • GEN-12 SBM 7" SBS - $3000

2. Padded stock. Reduces the felt recoil. You can either replace the entire stock, or add a pad to an existing stock.

   • Hogue Rubber OverMolded Stock Mossberg 500 12" Length of Pull Synthetic Black

   • Knoxx® SpecOps Stock Gen III

   • Limbsaver recoil pad

3. Mini-shell adapter. Minishells are 1" shorter than the common 2 3/4" shells. They allow you to load the gun with more shells that have less kick (at a cost of less range and penetrating power). For example, a Mossberg Shockwave normally holds five 2 3/4" rounds. With the adapter,

   

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   • Opsol adapter for mini-shells.

   • Defender Tactical

   • Mossberg 590S shotgun shoots mini-shells out of the box.

4. Light - Distinguish friend from foe at night. Most gun lights run on disposable CR123A batteries, due to their ability to maintain a charge for years, and the fact that they work even under high/low temperature extremes. There are rechargeable CR123A batteries available, and some lights can run on 18650 batteries as well.

   • Replace the forend with a Nightstick SFL-11GL Shotgun Forend with integral light and laser. With adapter, this can can also run on 18650 batteries.

   • Streamlight 88850 PolyTac 600 Lumens LED Flashlight with CR123A Lithium Batteries

   • TLR-10® G GUN LIGHT WITH GREEN LASER

   • Streamlight 69901 12 Gauge Mag Tube Mount, BlackAllows the attachment of TLR-1 or TLR-2 series light at the 6 o-clock position

   • Streamlight 69260 TLR-1 HL 1000-Lumen Weapon Light

5. Shotgun shell storage

   • Esstac 7 rd shotgun card

   • Industrial velcro for attaching cards to gun

6. Slings. Frees up your hands for other tasks, and helps prevent someone from ripping the gun out of your hands.

   • Galco RIFLEMANN SLING

   • Caldwell Max Grip Sling with Sling Swivel Studs and Adjustable Overmolded Strap for Shooting, Hunting and Range

   • Blackhawk Black Shotgun Sling, Adjustable

   • Blue Force Gear,Alloy Steel HK Style Sling Snap Hook, Black, 1 Inch Loop (P-HK-100

7. Cleaning and assembly

   • Ballistol - The Mossberg 88 is prone to rust. Keep it rust free by lubricating with Ballistol.

   • Blue Loc-Tite - apply to screws to help prevent them from coming loose from vibrations.

8. Component upgrades

   • Mossberg Shotguns 500 / 835 & Maverick 88 Trigger Spring Kit - Reduce your trigger pull from a factory weight of ~8.5lbs to a lighter ~4.75lbs.

9. Ear and Eye protection

   • Walkers Ear Muffs - Allows you to hear, but cuts off sound if it gets too loud.

10. Optics

    • BURRIS FastFire IV Multi-Reticles Picatinny Mount Waterproof/Fogproof/Shockproof Black Matte Red Dot Hunting Sight (300259)

    • Rechargeable CR123A

11. Clothing

    • Helikon fanny pack - useful for storing loose shells.

    • Chest rig

12. Targets

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      Buy from ST7 T Post Hooks Pair

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13. Gun cabinet

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    • Universal Rail Barrel Gun Rack