This article contains affiliate links.
Throughout the last few years, I’ve made a few references to a glaring hole in my collection. A few, actually. I addressed one of those in 2020 by finally picking up a 22LR, but the other egregious omission was the lack of a shotgun. I can’t actually tell you a good reason why I never picked one up. That’s not to say that I don’t have reasons, I just don’t think they were very good.
For the most part, I just found rifle marksmanship to be more fun and pistols were more practical. On top of that, the general feeling around gun culture between 2010 and 2020 was that rifles just did a better job at everything you would use a shotgun for, except for breaching doors.
In comparison to short rifles, shotguns are longer, heavier, more difficult to reload, have lower capacity, and produce far more recoil. If we’re being honest, the world of shotguns is notoriously full of fudd lore like “just rack it and it will scare them away,” using bird shot or rock salt as defensive loads, or the silly idea that you don’t even have to aim. The constant need to refute these myths left a bad taste for the shotgun in general.
On the surface, despite a decades proven effectiveness in hunting, combat, and law enforcement, shotguns seemed to be out.
Until they weren’t.
A shotgun is not a low capacity weapon.
Scattergun Math
I’m not sure where the mood started changing. For me, it was when my friend Justin put up a post at Swift Silent Deadly explaining that a shotgun is not a low capacity weapon. His reasoning was convincing. If you only think of a shotgun’s capacity in terms of the number of shells it can carry, then obviously 7 is less than 16 or 30 for handguns or rifles respectively. However, if you think of it in terms of “work capacity per round,” the equation changes.
A phrase I remember Jeff Gurwitch once telling me regarding pistol or rifle defensive use. It went something like this: “If they’re good for one, then their good for six, so give’m P for Plenty.”
The idea is that given what we know about terminal ballistics, a single round fired from a handgun or rifle is unlikely to cause enough damage by itself to be maximally effective. So we actively plan to shoot 3, 4, 6, or more times per target to end the threat. Doing some back of the napkin math would say that a typical 15-round pistol magazine equates to enough “work capacity” for 3-5 bad guys (assuming 3-5 shots each). With a 30-round magazine for a rifle, we’re basically doubling that.
On the other hand, a single shell of 00 buck carries 8-9 pellets, each nearly the size of a 9mm bullet, and launches them at a higher velocity than a handgun. Assuming you’re doing your part with proper aiming, that means you don’t necessarily need more than one shell per bad guy. Therefore, a single tube of 5-8 shot shells has about the same “work capacity” as a rifle, and certainly more than a standard handgun.
Setting buckshot aside, slugs are devastating. A full ounce of lead offers a ton of oomph and penetration.
A Storied History
Perhaps the first indicator of the shotguns combat prowess was the M1917 Trench Gun of World War I. As part of an American strategy to limit enemy use of trenches and compel open ground warfare, the United States was the only nation of the war to introduce shotguns into battle. It’s effect was devastating, especially in the narrow trenches of the war. In fact, Germany protested the trench gun as a brutal violation of the laws of war.
The shotgun saw continued use in WWII, particularly in the Pacific Theater, as a tool to clear bunkers and fighting in the jungle. The same applied to Vietnam.
For decades, the picture of law enforcement in the US was a revolver on the hip and a pump action shotgun on standby. I’ve read through many accounts of law enforcement veterans who still believe in the effectiveness of the shotgun for police work.
The trickiest part has always been ammunition management.
If You Aren’t Shooting, You’re Loading
Despite the fantastic work capacity of the shotgun, it still has a limited number of shells. In an era where every other combat weapon carries 15-20 rounds of 9mm or 30+ rounds of 5.56, and panic-induced rapid trigger pulling is a thing, 8 shells can go by very quickly.
Luckily, tube-fed shotguns have somewhat of a remedy in that you can feed them in between shots. From my observation, this is the skill that sets truly great shotgunners apart. There’s an art to quickly stuffing the tube back to capacity, especially if you’re on the move.
So, with that said, the most important factor in successfully running a shotgun is how well you can keep it fed. I suspect that this is the number one reason that shotguns fell out of favor.
My Tipping Point
What started with Justin’s article ended with a conversation between Doc Larson (of One Shepherd), Less Winner (of Pegasus Tests), and Brent0331. I posed a question about the ideal combination of weapons for a civilian team in Scenario-X to have. Everyone had a variations on a similar theme, but what stood out to me was when Les mentioned a 12 gauge shotgun.
He brought it up not only for it’s effectiveness as a hunting tool in Scenario-X, but also it’s prowess as a combat weapon when used correctly. Doc Larsen also chimed in on that topic, and mentioned that shotguns could make a great option for a team leader. Since the shotgun has a much more limited range than rifles, the team leader would be more or less forced to focus on doing team leader things and directing the firefight rather than participating in it like everyone else. Then, if the fight got close enough, he had the combat power of the shotgun at the ready.
Am I saying that this latter scenario is ideal? No, not at all. But it was enough to push me over the edge and commit to learning the ins and outs of the shotgun.
Decisions, Decisions: Picking a Project Gun
So that was the set up. Now let’s turn to the actual choice. By this point, the only shotguns I had any significant exposure to were a Mossberg 590A1 and a Remington 870. The former belonged to a friend in college and I shot it a few times. The latter was a loaner during an outlaw three gun match. I’ve handled a few in stores since then, but never on the range.
With everything that happened to Remington, I figured they were out until their reputation is solid again. The Mossberg 590A1 was an obvious front runner, but I decided to keep my options open and explore what the market had available.
That led to the first decision: pump action or semi auto?
Pump Action
My first inclination was pump guns. They cost far less, you can feed them just about anything, and they don’t have a whole lot that can go wrong with them. Not to mention that they have that classic “ka-chunk” sound as you rack’em. There’s just something fun about running a pump action shotgun.
In that realm, my two options came down to the Mossberg 590A1 and the Benelli SuperNova Tactical. The stalwart Mossberg is a known quantity with lots of aftermarket support. The Benelli has a stellar reputation in the 3-gun world, and has seen combat service with European nations.
This choice was really a wash, because every time I ran the pro/con, they came out even. The Benelli has a super slick action, can load up to 3.5″ shells, and has a very nifty magazine disconnect button so that you could single load a specific shell. But it also suffers poor aftermarket support and has an obnoxiously long length of pull.
Semi Auto
While agonizing over this decision, I considered the semi-auto shotgun realm. Obviously, autoloaders have a huge advantage as far as speed goes. But they may also be more maintenance intensive, sensitive to what you feed them, and simply have more that can go wrong.
There’s been a ton of noise in that space over the last few years. Seemingly everyone has gone nuts for the Beretta 1301 Tactical, which was outside of my price range. Likewise, the Benelli M4 was out of reach.
Taking a step down from there, I set my sights on a Benelli M2 field with a 21″ barrel and a Mossberg 940. Both of these have solid reputations, yet didn’t cost nearly as much as the class leaders. The Benelli has been around the 3-gun circuit forever, and is well-respected. The only drawback I had against it was it’s inertia-driven recoil system was apparently sensitive to hanging too much “stuff” on the gun. Not knowing what I don’t know, I didn’t want to tempt fate.
And the Winner Is…
Just as I was ready to plop down my credit card and FFL info for the Benelli M2, I found a great deal on a like-new 21″ Beretta 1301 Comp model. It was essentially the same price as a new Benelli M2, so I couldn’t pass it up.
I went with a 21″ barrel to be a compromise between a more “tactical” 18.5″ length and the field-focused 24″ length. It lets me put a slightly longer tube extension than an 18.5″ barrel would, as well.
I picked up the Beretta in January 2023, and as far as I can tell it looks like it’s never been shot. I’ve been thinking through what I’m going to do with it since then. However, I quickly learned that there’s a few wrenches in the works. I didn’t know it at the time, but the Beretta 1301 comp models are slightly different than the 1301 Tactical models. While they both use the same reliable gas system, the Comp models have a slightly longer receiver, the same as a Beretta A400. This allowed opening of the feed port and more space for double and quad loading shells.
The 1301 Tactical has a shorter A300-sized receiver.
This makes a difference because nearly all of the well known optic mounting systems available for the Beretta 1301 are for the shorter Tactical receiver. The Comp model is left out in the cold a bit when it comes to aftermarket support. The M2 would not have that issue, nor would the shorter 1301 Tactical.
So What Would I Do Today?
Not long after I brought home the Beretta 1301 Comp, there was Shot Show 2023. Beretta unveiled the A300 Ultima Patrol shotgun, and it frankly looks about perfect. I love the handguard for it, and I hope a similar one makes its way to the 1301 world (they aren’t compatible due to different gas systems). It’s also less than $1000, which is huge given that prices on the 1301 have gone up in the last several years.
Were I to go the pump action route, maybe for a second shotgun, I’m leaning heavily towards the handsome looks of the Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde and it’s wood furniture.
Next Steps
With the 1301 Comp in the safe, we can begin Project Warhammer. My role for this shotgun is primarily defensive, with a nod to hunting and competition. I plan to mount a mini red dot, elastic side saddle shell carriers, an extension tube, and update the furniture. We’ll see how it evolves over time.
I also plan to take some training with it. Green Ops offers a shotgun course local to me, and I can’t think of a better way to get a solid introduction into running this thing.
Stay tuned as the gun evolves from here!
Not really the main point of the article, but something you said made me curious: With which nations has the Benelli SuperNova Tactical seen combat service?
Hey Tony, it was reported on a bit last year but the French adopted the SuperNova as their standard shotgun in 2022. How much action it’s actually seen is up for debate, but I would at least think that the French military put it through some significant trials before adoption.
About time Matt! I’m somewhat surprised you’ve needed a ‘trend’ to finally add the mighty scattergun to your arsenal. The third firearm I ever purchased with my own money was a Remington 870 express in 12ga. I’m going to easily say I have more rounds through that pipe than any other firearm I own except my very first handgun. I hunt with it, shot a hundred rounds of trap and skeet with it (yes – skeet with a pump), sporting clays a couple dozen times and I bought an 18 inch Remington barrel for defense use which I’ve pushed a… Read more »
Hehe, i wouldn’t say it was a trend that pushed me over the edge so much as figuring that it was finally time to address it. I held off for so long mostly because I didn’t do typical “shotgun things” and wasn’t sure I wanted to sacrifice precious space in the safe. But you’re right, the versatility is pretty well unmatched.
The versatility of the shotgun makes it a really effective weapon that, IMO, overcomes it’s ’round count’ capacity shortcomings. Sorry I went so ‘long’ but there is a lot to say and understand to maximize a shotgun’s capability. I’m far from having any of my ‘defense dedicated’ scatterguns dialed in with shotshell type and distance patterning but that’s the fun of it! Close range work or CQB is where the shotgun really shines – it’s a powerful weapon.
Looking forward to the series! I can recommend Esstac shotgun cards and if you need iron/trijicon/glow sights, pretty sure XS is a good place to take a look at. Would be interested to see if and how you end up configuring support gear like pouches, bandoliers, and rigs for running a shotgun in class. Plenty of utility for a shotgun in scenario X, or in any survival scenario. And even if it’s not your primary, at least you know how to run one, and that adds to your overall skill set as a student of the gun. I did watch… Read more »
The Esstac cards are nice. I’ve picked up two and have more on the way. One of the things I like the most about them is that they are about the same size as a 30 round AR mag, and fit into my mag pouches just like magazines would. I’m betting that’s how I end up running things most of the time.
I already have a hard plastic 5rnd ‘side saddle’ mounted on one of my Mossberg shotguns and it works well. I just checked out the Esstac cards as what Matt said about it fitting in an AR15 mag pouch caught my attention. Instead of attaching the loops(?) panel to the side of the shotgun receiver I was thinking of having a loop panel on a vest or a belt section. You could just pull a Esstac card out of the mag pouch and slap it on the loops panel to access. The ‘tube stack loaders’ the 3-gun crowd uses is… Read more »
“the general feeling around gun culture between 2010 and 2020 was that rifles just did a better job at everything you would use a shotgun for, except for breaching doors.”
Oh, how blind are those who would not see.
Look forward to hearing what your thoughts are after taking a shotgun training course.
Very cool article and as usual, we really appreciate your content. I recently went the same path and ended up with a 590A1 and Benelli M4 with the new larger controls. The Langdon Tactical 1301 is also smiling at me, so we’ll see.