Survival Kit Shotgun

[dscrick]

I am a big fan of redundancy when it comes to survival prep. What if you lose your BOB or have to abandon it? Besides always having the basics in your pockets, I think it makes sense to have additional kits with you at all times. Of course many of us include a firearm of some type in our gear, and I am no exception. Besides my CCW carry gun, my BOB contains the shotgun described below. The gun is equipped with a pretty decent survival kit as a back up. Please post comments, I'd like to know what you think.

NEF Y2K Survivor 12 GA with survival kit:
The forend holds a small Swiss army knife, whistle, firestarting kit, fishing kit, snare wire, safety pins, tyraps.
In the hollow buttstock is a space blanket, foil, ToolLogic credit card tool with LED light (very flat but useful), compass/thermometer, quart ziploc bag (water bag) with water purification tabs, a small first aid kit/medications wrapped with 2 feet of duct tape, instant tea mix, bullion cubes, hard candy, jerky stick, wet naps, toilet paper from MRE.
The buttstock is wrapped with 30 feet of 550 cord, then the buttstock shell holder goes over that. I slip a plastic emergency poncho under the shell holder as well. The sling holds 4 rounds of 12 GA, the buttstock holder takes 5. I carry a mix of 00 buckshot for defense, #6 shot for small game, and a few slugs for large game/whatever. Even though the gun is cylinder bored (no choke at all) it patterns surprisingly well out to 20 yards or so. I have killed alot of rabbits with it. The only thing I wish it had was decent sights instead of just a front bead. I ordered a heatshield/ghost Ring sight combo from Midway, it's arriving tomorrow. Cost was $26.99. I'll post an updated pic when I get it installed.

So this simple weapon has all the basics for survival IN the gun! Taken down it fits in a space 20" long by about 10" wide and 2" deep. One note: NEF no longer makes this gun in 12 GA, but they catalog it in .308, .223, and .410/45 colt with the same stock setup.

Photos attached (working now)

[Assassin Pilot]

Wow, you probably don't even need anything but your gun in a survival situation. Good thing I always keep one of these on my wall:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/76257/

[dscrick]

Hey,

Doesn't that classify as an NFA weapon? Cool though!

[Rick]

I've posted elsewhere that I'm not a big fan of weapon modification for a number of reasons. I understand what you've done and if it works for you then it's a good thing. Shotgun, to me isn't nearly as bad once modified as a rifle, but once you start adding and deleting things you change the balance and weight of the weapon.

Haven't you done the very thing you don't want do and that's lose redundancy? If you drop the weapon in the river, your survival gear is gone. I believe in redundancy as well unless the piece of equipment is so specialized that it deserves its own place. Knife is one example. Weapon, for me, is another.

Pictures would be nice. 1000 words and all that.

AP - Zombies?

[dscrick]

I think what I've done here is add redundancy. I'm not relying on this kit alone, I always carry several, just for the reason you stated. My primary support is my bug out pack. If I have to abandon or somehow lose it, This weapon is in my hands, along with the supplies stored in it. If I were to lose this weapon, I have a backup kit on my belt. If I lose that, there are backup items in my pockets at all times. Also, this weapon is not my primary

As far as "Modifying the weapon", this weapon is purpose designed to facilitate storage of desired items as shown. The forend is a Choate Machine and tool "Store-End" forend, and the stock is also by Choate and purpose designed for the H&R/NEF shotgun. The balance of the weapon is actually improved by the weight of the items, and the total weight of it as shown is about 8 or 8.5 lbs.

Thanks for the comments, if you didn't see the photos I finally got them posted

[Rick]

Okay. That helps and it helps to know you have a backup. As I said, if it works for you then it works just fine.

[Assassin Pilot]

So you carry a regular survival kit, then one in your gun, one on your belt, and one in your pockets? You should be ready for pretty much anything with all that.

And to Rick: They have a section on this website for "human made" disasters. I think we should also have a section on defense against zombies. That is why I am posting this vital info. It can save your lives one day.

[coldkill13]

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck with a .223 round between his eyes?

[Tony uk]

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck with a .223 round between his eyes?

5

How intelligent am i

[Beo]

That gun would explain why you were in the Navy and not the Army... lol.. jk looks kinda different to say the least. And do really expect me to believe you carry all that in the gun, on a pack around your belt, in your pockets and God knows where else, and move around in the woods with any kind of stealth, or good range of movement.

[Gray Wolf]

Beowulf, I'm still working on a 12 ga. killing some rabbits @ 60 feet or less..... Not much left for dinner I guess.

[Beo]

The weight and balance of the gun is seriously off with all that stuff in it, that is why we carry our stuff in packs, bags, and belt bags and leave the gun alone. A gun is a precise made weapon (depends who ya buy it from or the maker) that is balanced for handling, kinda like a knife but you can do more with a knife not effecting how it works.

[Rick]

That's my thought as well, Beo. I guess a shotgun isn't as impacted by weight and balance as a muzzle loader or other rifle but I just have trouble modifying a weapon. Still, if it works for him, that's all that matters I guess.

[Beo]

True, on all your points Rick. I too don't modify a weapon, that's what an armourer is for, you take away from the weapons ability when packed with gear that should be in a pack or bag, but if he likes it and is comfortable with it then I cannot fault him. I saw some soldiers add some serious mods to weapons in the army, but it did make the weapon preform different.

[dscrick]

I think you guys are missing a few key points. The weapon was DESIGNED to carry survival gear in the first place. That is why it has a stock built for storage. No operational modifications were done. It's still a simple single shot shotgun. Still handles the same. As far as "balance" the gun actually handles better when the empty stock has something added to it and the rounds are in the shell holder. Otherwise it is very muzzle heavy.

The gear in the stock and forend adds about 6 ounces to the weapon. That kind of change in balance might throw off a champion skeet shooter, but not someone trying to bag a rabbit for the stew pot. If a slight change in balance throws off your ability to hit THAT much, invest in ammo and practice more.

As far as walking around the woods with any stealth or range of movemnt, I do just fine. Of course I don't carry tons of equipment when I'm hunting, and I don't usually hunt with this weapon anyway, although I have. I DO carry the 10 essentials on my person. As anybody with a brain would.

This weapon was designed to be a "Truck Gun". Something inexpensive, yet capable and stowable that when needed would be there to meet the need. I KEEP IT IN MY TRUCK. I added the basic survival gear because the gun was built to hold it. I have a bug out bag in my truck and perhaps I don't NEED the extra stuff in the gun. But as I said, what if I have to abandon my vehicle? what if the situation requires me to go light and fast, leaving my pack behind? I can grab this gun and at the very least have the basics to stay alive.

Alot of us "Weapons guys" have MANY guns that would be far better for specific uses, me included. An AR-15 is an excellent weapon. I have one. I do not however, carry it around in my truck. I don't want to attract that kind of attention, it's CONTRARY to the survival mindset. Nor do I want My AR stolen by some skell. If some goober steals my $125 shotgun, I'll be pissed some idiot has it, but I can take the loss and get another one (I already have 3 more just like it, one in each vehicle).

Bottom line, if faced with a REAL survival situation, one where I had to provide shelter for myself, build a fire, forage for food, protect myself, etc. I'd rather have this single shot, with it's proven basic survival gear, and a couple dozen rounds of 12 guage, than that AR-15 and 500 rounds.

[Beo]

Senior Chief,
Meant no disrespect and as you said missed the point cause I didn't know it came that way. Alot of people come on here with gadgets they have made, look at the worlds smallest survival kit thread and you'll get the idea. The kit in the gun is good, I think most on here thought the gun had been modified to fit it. Still if it works then no fault to whoever owns it. I'm sure due to your age (not knocking it) and being former military you can handle the gun or any gun just fine which in the end is the biggest thing with firearms. Good post Senior Chief and drive on with mission though you be the lone survivor.

[dscrick]

No offense taken Beowulf (and everyone else). I like the lively discussion and respect your views as well. That's why we participate in these forums.

It's true many folks get gadget happy and buy all sorts of stuff to hang/bolt/glue on thier weapons, often to the detriment of handling qualities, etc. just as you mentioned. But as previously mentioned in this thread, "If it works for them" right? I just hope they take the time to practice with the modified weapon AFTER they "Fix" it!

[Rick]

Nope. I thought you explained it pretty well. Just tossing my 2 cents into the stew. Whatever works for you is both practical and useful. And I certainly don't fault you for having it for you. Nor was I trashing it. It's just not what I want to carry so it's not practical for me. I won't carry the AR-15 either. I don't have a need for tank power. But if it's right for you, then it's right. By the way, I don't carry a muzzle loader, either even though some of these misguided yokels do. Right, Beo?

[Beo]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeup! And I must say I love my flintlock and wouldn't trade or sell it for the world, .62 caliber will handle all big game I'm ever gonna shoot and No.5 shot handles all the small game. Well then ain't that a peachy lil 62 1/2 inch long rifle

[dscrick]

There are only three reasons I can think of to own or carry a muzzleloader:

1. The "guvmint" outlaws fireaarms (as I'm sure you know, muzzleloaders are not classified as "firearms")

2. Muzzleloader season (I can get 6 deer a year here in Licking county, need the extended season)

3. Sometimes they are fun to shoot! (Find someone with a cap and ball revolver and try it!)