It's 2023, what role does the shotgun fill today?

[g-men10455]

So, I am kicking around the idea of sending a 590 off to Vang Comp, but I just can't find a role for a tactical scattergun in my life with my multiple RDS/WML equipped pistols and carbines. But, maybe I am completely missing the picture here.

What role do you see the shotgun filling in 2023 these days? What niche does it cover that the carbine and pistol do not? What role does it fill for you?

I can definitely tell the difference between my Vang Comp 590 & my 500 when it comes to perceived recoil & commonly found 00 patterning.
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[BobinNC]

This is an older thread, but still relevant today. A 12 gauge shotgun is one of the most useful firearms to have. It can be used for:

Home Defense - Buckshot 00 or #1
Breaching or HD - Hornady TAP Entry
Big Game - Foster Style Slugs
Dangerous North American Game - Benneke Magnum Slugs
For Flying stuff, Birds or Drones - #8 Bird shot up to #4 Buck for Drones and the like
Small Game - 5 shot or 6 shot

It goes without saying that the best shotgun for all this kind of work is one that has removeable choke tubes.

One Ideal shotgun, and there are others, is a Beretta 1301 Comp or Comp Pro. Either a 21" or 24" barrel will do.

I don't think much of any of the current "tactical" shotguns for the all around work listed above, if it's going to be the only shotgun you have. Ghost ring Iron sights are a liability for flying targets, whether live or other.

And if one shotgun is all you can afford, this is the one or type to have.

Bead sights are fine for most work, but add a Pic rail and run a Red Dot, for HD or Bigger game, and one that can be removed as required.

Ditto a 2 mag extension like a Briley or GG&G that can be removed if necessary, and plug the mag tube to comply with current upland or waterfowl regs.

A light can be added using a simple GG&G TAC Pic Rail light mount. The light can also be removed a necessary to hunt with when it's not needed.

I'm not trying to argue that a shotgun outlined like the one above, should replace a nightstand handgun or your AR15.

But it is another tool for the tool box, and it has duty's that neither your 9mm or 5.56 can perform.

[titsonritz]

#8 Bird shot up to #4 Buck for Drones and the like

Watching that Garand Thumb video with the Ukrainian War veterans this is going to be a biggy. Shotguns, if nothing else, are extremely versatile.

[SteyrAUG]

#8 Bird shot up to #4 Buck for Drones and the like

Yeah, I think they just got a new role. I still have M1S90 in the safe.

[Ron3]

This is an older thread, but still relevant today. A 12 gauge shotgun is one of the most useful firearms to have. It can be used for:

Home Defense - Buckshot 00 or #1
Breaching or HD - Hornady TAP Entry
Big Game - Foster Style Slugs
Dangerous North American Game - Benneke Magnum Slugs
For Flying stuff, Birds or Drones - #8 Bird shot up to #4 Buck for Drones and the like
Small Game - 5 shot or 6 shot

It goes without saying that the best shotgun for all this kind of work is one that has removeable choke tubes.

Bead sights are fine .

Excellent! Can do all of this with a double-barrel. Dual triggers of course.

Okay, in a SHTF scenario a rifle would be preferred for HD. But for the rest of it a double is simple & reliable.

[1168]

Excellent! Can do all of this with a double-barrel. Dual triggers of course.

Okay, in a SHTF scenario a rifle would be preferred for HD. But for the rest of it a double is simple & reliable.

CZ sells an affordable and shockingly high quality one, available with double triggers, which is the one I bought.

[Ron3]

CZ sells an affordable and shockingly high quality one, available with double triggers, which is the one I bought.

I was about to buy that one! But I traded an optic to a relative for a Rossi sxs 12 ga coach gun that is used but I know works. Also double trigger. The left barrel shoots slugs to POA at 25 yds. The gun has factory front and rear sights. Rear V, front post with a small brass bead like a pistol would have. Never seen another like it.

Fixed chokes though. I think the left is Modified and the right Improved Cylinder, IIRC. I cut a couple inches off the stock and added a pad. I've run several hundred shells through this gun and used it hard. I guess it'll keep working until it doesn't. I've read the firing pins bend over time and there are no replacements, they have to be fabricated.

[artoter]

So, I am kicking around the idea of sending a 590 off to Vang Comp, but I just can't find a role for a tactical scattergun in my life with my multiple RDS/WML equipped pistols and carbines. But, maybe I am completely missing the picture here.

What role do you see the shotgun filling in 2023 these days? What niche does it cover that the carbine and pistol do not? What role does it fill for you?

Well, at close range, it puts huge holes in people that are up to no good.

[Todd.K]

Well, at close range, it puts huge holes in people that are up to no good.

This argument always presumes hits are easy. In reality you may be moving, your attacker may be moving, and your adrenaline will be jacked to a place most people have not experienced.

Capacity cannot just be casually overlooked, and I have a real hard time believing the double barrel is better for anything but a niche travel long gun.

[artoter]

This argument always presumes hits are easy. In reality you may be moving, your attacker may be moving, and your adrenaline will be jacked to a place most people have not experienced.

Capacity cannot just be casually overlooked, and I have a real hard time believing the double barrel is better for anything but a niche travel long gun.

As far as "moving" goes, it goes with any gun. The diameter of the bullet is just that, and I can bet, even just across the room, shooting shot at an attacker lays down a larger diameter than a bullet.

Besides, say you and another are going to rob someone's home. You both creep through the door or window, you hear a loud boom, your buddy goes down hard. Are you really going to hang around to see just how many shot shells your opponent actually has to shoot at you? I damn sure would not.

Anything short of a magic wand is going to have it's drawbacks, but if I had to choose between taking a round from a bullet, or taking a load of buckshot, I'm going with the bullet. YMMV.