Survival gun

[BruceR]

I'll be making some flights in the next year or two over somewhat desolate land in the Northwest, Canada, and Alaska. I'd like to make up a gun kit that includes a shotgun (12 or 20 gauge) that can be taken down to fit in a compact case. I plan to stock the case with a variety of shotgun shells that can be used as the need dictates -- slugs, buckshot, and birdshot.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a shotgun that can fit the above requirements?

Thanks.

[colddeadhands]

You can remove the barrels from most pumps really easily, that would make the barrel the longest part.

[DirtyDave]

You can remove the barrels from most pumps really easily, that would make the barrel the longest part.

Actually on most pumps like Mossberg 500 or Rem 870's when you take off the barrel, the rest of the gun is about 34-35" long from the recoil pad to the end of the mag tube. That is how I ship my shotgun to South Dakota every year in a 36" box.

Now if you put a folding stock on it, that would make it pretty short.

Another option that would be sweet is the Mossberg 510 mini super bantam youth 20ga. It's frickin tiny @ 34.75" long. 18.5" Barrel with screw in chokes.
The LOP is short, but if you cant live with that, then you can put on a standard "adult" stock, or a folder. Takes the same stocks as a 12ga 500.

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=41&display=feat

[BruceR]

The best I've found so far is the Winchester model 12 that does a clean break right through the middle, with the barrel and mag tube coming off as a set. The guns that don't easily allow the mag tube to come off aren't going to see much of a reduction in length. Perhaps I should look for a shotgun that drops the stock without too much fuss.

Thanks for your comments.

[colddeadhands]

DirtyDave is correct, I just did some quick measuring and taking the barrel off my 870, the stock, receiver, mag is the longest part at 32.5".

I'm not familiar with the model 12, but I have a Winchester 1897 that breaks in half at the receiver, just measured it and the longest part is 29.25"

[aippi]

I have built several weapons that are flying around in puddle jumpers up in AK. The ones I like the best were 870's with 18.5" tritium bead sight barrel and the Knoxx SpecOps folder. This made the weapon compact when the stock folded up. The barrel allowed use of slugs for bear protection and the trit bead helped at night. Since they were smooth bore they handled shot also for small game. One client even said he carried 12ga flares for this weapon in the case.

[BruceR]

Aippi's 870 approach is sounding very close to what I'm looking for. I'll have to see what's available in the marketplace . . .

Thanks everyone.

[Spirit 1]

PM'd you regarding this, Bruce R, hope you don't mind...

[mgw12]

There is this:

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=28

[SparrowHanger]

To me a survival gun is something I can kill game with and that means more than a pistol grip stock.

[watsonville]

single shot 12g push the pin in the middle and it breaks down very reliable little moving parts i love my hr 410. for my truck gun just a suggestion i dont know if your looking for a pump semi auto or single shot thats my .2

[aippi]

Where as a single shot is light, breaks down easy and would serve most of the intent the OP wants in this weapon, I would want more for Bear Protection. Also, a quick follow up shot on game may mean the difference of going to sleep with a full belly or hungry.

[FUBAR]

Stoeger Condor Outback. Its 20 inch barrel 12 guage over and under shotgun. It also has rifle sights for slugs and interchangeable chokes. The barrel comes off the receiver for packing. Check it out.

[nrakid88]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=373696

This was my take on the perfect survival gun. If I was going against a bear I would want all 8 shots of double ought. I guess to make it fit your criteria more, a Knoxx folding stock would fit the ticket a bit better. I just feel that it belongs on the ''tactical'' shotgun I have planned.

[Uxi]

Kel-tec KSG