Shotgun accessories: Help a newbie

[mvanmetertoo]

Gentlemen,

OK, I have my first shotgun. Now, what do I need for necessary accessories?

Gun will be used mainly for trap and HD.

1. Ammo (obviously)
2. Gun safe/gun lock (obviously)
3. Shotgun bag/case
4. Cleaning kit (recommendations please!)
5. Cleaning solvents (recommendations please!)
6. Ammo "bag" to keep shells close at hand while at the range (recommendations please!)

What am I leaving out?

Thanks,

Mike

[Ricky-Ray]

Any cleaning kit will do just fine for a shotgun, just make sure you get the one in the correct gauge. As for solvents quite a bit out there. The old standby Hoppes #9 will work. Personally I use MPro7, it doesn't smell as bad as Hoppes. When I hit the range most of my ammo goes in an old duffel bag. If I'm taking a shotgun class then I have a dump pouch on my belt for extra ammo.

Is the shotgun for skeet/hunting/home defense? IF for home defense don't forget to take a defensive shotgun course too.

[renardsubtil]

If you're in the Livermore area, let me know, I'm a member at the Livermore Rod and Gun club and I can get you into the trap range for member prices.


1. Ammo

- Take your pick for HD.
- Trap ranges usually have minimum requirements on shot size, speed, etc. So check out your range's requirements on this and buy accordingly

3. Shotgun bag/case
Any case will work, just make sure the shotgun fits *shrug* try the classifieds section here on CG.

4. Cleaning kit
- Big 5 or your local gun shop will have kits specifically for whatever gauge shotgun you have, I think mines made by Hoppes.

5. Cleaning solvents
- CLP and Hoppes. You don't need to worry too much about removing copper residue so CLP is your basic cleaner and Hoppes number 9 solvent is something that you can use every once in a long time.

6. Ammo "bag" to keep shells close at hand while at the range
- I'm using an old army belt with a mag dump pouch for empty shells. My range sold a little box shaped pouch that my box of shells fits snugly into.

[hcbr]

ammo bag, who needs one, just keep it in the box and carry it around in a duffle bag

[Mesa Tactical]

Hoppes smells bad? WTF?

[BigDogatPlay]

Agree with most of the above. Hoppes is good when you have a lot of powder fouling from extensive shooting. CLP will take care of internal lube and most cleaning requirements. I find it worthwhile to keep a small can of gun oil (any brand will do) to keep a very light coat on the outside of the gun when I put it away. This is a must with both blued and parkerized finishes.

Depending on what kind of gun you have, either Remington sport loads or Federal target loads (not the multi-purpose bulk rounds) available at Wal-Mart work pretty well and come in shot sizes / speeds suitable for busting clays at any club that allows lead shot. If the Winchester universal stuff at Wal-Mart works in your gun, it does in one of mine, thats good as the ammo is cheap in price but it's usually dirty crap that a lot of guns don't seem to like.

For defensive ammo, Wolf buckshot is about as inexpensive as it gets and it always goes bang. At HD distances, it should be all you'll need.

When you are at Big 5 picking out a cleaning kit you may also consider, if you plan on shooting clays at a club, spending a few bucks for a belt and shell pouch. Big 5 usually has the Bob Allen stuff which is a bag, box carrier for unfired shells and large pouch for fired shells. Some clubs won't let you shoot without, and they are handy for the range as well. I think they are ~$15.

On the gun case.... those you can find at Big 5 or Wal-Mart or many other locations for an easy on the budget price. Be aware that you should not store your gun in either a hard or soft case. The material inside of them very often will hold moisture in against the gun which will lead to quick rusting.

[Ricky-Ray]

Hoppes smells bad? WTF?

Wife hates the smell of Hoppes #9 so if I use that I have to do it in the garage. However with MPro 7 she has no complaints about it whatsoever so if I wanted to I can clean my guns while I'm in front of the TV.

[mvanmetertoo]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I need to also add: eye protection, hearing protection

Any suggestions here?

[TheExpertish]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I need to also add: eye protection, hearing protection

Any suggestions here?

Eye pro can be anything basic. For ear pro I've always gone with whatever has the highest dB reduction rating I can find. For indoor ranges I double up and use foamies as well as mouse ears. Howard Leight is my preference for both.

[jyo]

For cleaning the bore of plastic residue, I find Remclean works really well---all other surfaces and lubing is done with BreakFree CLP. For hearing protection, I like the old Peltor brand folding muff style with cutouts for the stock. I don't know if Peltor is still available, but I have seen these muffs sold under other names. In the old days, my dad used to slip long guns into and old pants leg!

[Thefeeder]

><

A shooting vest or a shell bag will be useful at the Trap range

[highpowermatch]

Hoppes smells bad? WTF?

I always thought they should have Hoppes cologne or car scent.

[santamonica9]

FIRST THING TO DO -> take a basic defensive shotgun class. You will learn about your gun, what it can & can not do. they will also cover the options I wrote about.

1) ear pro - I double up, soft squeshy in the ear and then the basic ear muffs they give you at the range (usually about 20 from walmart)

2) any cleaning kit for 12g will work. I prefer hoppes 9. dont forget to oil your baby up after. A light dash of oil on all the metal is all you need. dont soak it in the oil its not needed

3) shotgun case - i like the soft range bags from walmart $15-20

4) ammo - for home D & the scary bump in the night buckshot double 00. slugs too for when the zombies come or SHTF. if you live in a small apartment remember these rounds will bust through the drywall. use only in a real emergency. the sound of racking a pump shotgun is the universal get the "F" out of my house *****hole

5) some say side sadle for extra shells and a weapon light but remember these things add mass & weight.

6) ammo - for the range I use a belt bag from walmart around 15

hope this helps you out, again the best thing I did when I got my shotgun was a good class. check with your local outdoor range. I did mine @ Burro then another class @ angeles. good luck, have fun & stay safe

[goldduster]

I would highly recommend one of the Skeet clinics. There is one in NorCal and another in SoCal; you can find info on them in this website. Loads of info and lots of fun!!!!

[HBrebel]

the best accessory for the shotgun is ammo. A good variety of home defense, birdshot, and slugs. other than that, proper training and practice