Buying Your First Shotgun

Few firearms are as versatile and cost-effective as the shotgun. You can use the same gun for everyday plinking, home defense, hunting birds and varmints, and even sport or competition shooting. However, choosing your first model can feel disorienting if you are new to shotguns or scatterguns.

Not only are there countless models to choose from at all price points, but shotguns also have their own terminology, such as gauge, choke, shell, or shot. This can leave beginners with many questions, such as “What is a good shotgun for beginners?” or “What ammunition should I choose?”

Whether you are a beginner with firearms or have prior experience shooting pistols and rifles, a shotgun is an excellent addition to any gun owner’s armory. Follow our guide to make your experience buying your first shotgun as smooth as possible.

Essential Shotgun Glossary

Even if you know your way around pistols, rifles, and their ammunition, many words and designations are unique to shotguns. Understanding shotgun-specific terminology will help make you a better-informed and educated gun owner, letting you buy your first shotgun confidently.

• Shell. A shell is a common name for a shotgun cartridge (e.g., shotgun shells). It is synonymous with other universal terms, such as “round.”
• Gauge. The gauge (ga.) of a shotgun refers to the diameter of its bore and, consequently, the size of its ammunition. It has the same meaning as “caliber” in rifles and pistols. When referring to the gauge number, the higher the gauge, the smaller the shell. The most common gauges are 12 ga. and 20 ga.
  The gauge number indicates how many lead balls of the same diameter as the bore are needed to weigh one pound. For example, in a 12 ga. shotgun, the bore diameter means that twelve lead balls of that size would weigh one pound.
• Shot. Not to be confused with taking a shot or shot as a synonym for round or cartridge. Shot refers to the small, round pellets inside many shotgun shells and is the origin of the term “shotgun.”
  Shot is typically made of lead or steel and comes in a huge selection of sizes. When fired, shot scatters, forming patterns; hitting a target depends on the distance to the target, the size of the pattern, and the number of pellets per shell.
  Most shot falls into two groups: birdshot for the smallest pellets and buckshot for the largest. As the names suggest, birdshot is most suitable for birds and other small targets, whereas buckshot is large enough to bring down larger game.
• Slug. A slug is a general term for a single, large projectile in a shotgun shell. While it is occasionally used to refer to pistol and rifle bullets (e.g., “a .38 slug”), the term “slug” often refers to shotgun ammunition. Slugs do not pattern like shot when fired. Instead, they behave more closely to rifle and pistol projectiles.
• Choke. A choke is a device inserted or integrated into the muzzle of a shotgun. It reduces the bore diameter, helping the shot spread in a tighter pattern, making it more accurate and extending its effective range.
• Elevator. In shotguns fitted with a tube magazine, the elevator is the mechanism that transfers shells from the tube to the chamber.

Shotgun Actions

Like pistols and rifles, shotguns have various actions and mechanisms dictating how they are loaded, fired, and operated. Understanding shotgun actions helps you differentiate how each model works so you can find the best shotgun to buy. Below are the most common shotgun actions on the market today:

• Pump-action. These shotguns feature a large slide or forend. Operating a pump-action shotgun is simple: pull the forend back to eject a chambered shell and open the action. Then, push it forward to feed a shell from the magazine into the chamber.
• Lever-action. Like those used in the Old West, lever-action shotguns have virtually the same mechanism as rifles. Push the ring-shaped lever down to open the action and eject a spent shell, then rack it back up to load the next shell.
• Break-action. Break-action shotguns feature one or multiple barrels connected to the receiver with a hinge. Loading and unloading them is simple: push or pull a lever, and the barrels hinge away from the receiver. You can then remove spent shells from the chambers and replace them with fresh shells.
  Break-action shotguns are called single-, double-, triple-, or even quadruple-barrel, depending on the number of barrels. The most popular configuration is the double-barrel shotgun, which can be oriented horizontally (side-by-side) or vertically (over/under).
• Semi-automatic. A semi-automatic shotgun is the best choice if you want something similar to modern pistols and rifles. They use recoil energy, a gas-operated system, or inertia from a fired shell to eject a spent shell and load the next one automatically.

What Do You Need a Shotgun For?

Once you understand the terms used to describe a shotgun, the next step is to define its intended purpose. Knowing how you plan to use it will help you identify the necessary features and specifications when buying your first shotgun.

Shotguns are most commonly used for home defense, personal protection, hunting, competition, and sport shooting.

Home Defense and Personal Protection

One of the most common purposes for shotguns is self-defense, particularly home protection. World-recognized experts such as Massad Ayoob have described the shotgun as the most efficient firearm for close-range applications.

Most shotguns, especially when paired with self-defense buckshot ammunition, are extremely powerful. The effective range of a shotgun with buckshot is typically 50 yards, with best results within 30 to 40 yards. While this can be considered short for hunting, it is easily achievable indoors.

Quality models from reputable manufacturers are reliable, easy to modify and maintain, and many are available for a reasonable price. If you’re primarily interested in a shotgun for home defense, look for the following characteristics:

• High gauge. 12 ga. is the gold standard for military, law enforcement, and civilian self-defense for a reason. Defensive 12 ga. buckshot shells are highly effective, maximizing the chances of stopping a threat in as few shots as possible. If you are sensitive to recoil, 20 ga. is a smaller, less powerful, but still viable alternative.
• Self-defense ammunition. Buckshot is generally considered the standard for combat and defensive uses. The most commonly recommended size is 00 (double-aught); each pellet is about 0.33” in diameter, and a typical 12 ga. buckshot shell holds 9 to 12.
  While self-defense slugs are available, they are unsuitable for new shooters. Missing a shot with a slug means an increased risk of a high-powered projectile over-penetrating and striking a target you don’t intend to hit. You should also avoid birdshot for self-defense; it cannot penetrate as deeply or stop threats as efficiently as buckshot.
• Shorter guns. Using a shotgun for home defense means navigating around your home with a long, two-handed firearm. The longer the barrel, the more difficult it is to avoid bumping it into doors, walls, and obstacles. Consider shorter-barreled or “tactical” models, which typically feature a barrel length of 20” or less, to maximize handling.
  Federal law classifies shotguns with an overall length under 26” or a barrel length under 18” as Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBS) under the National Firearms Act. SBSs are strictly regulated and not ordinarily available to the public.
• Recommended actions. Consider a model with a capacity high enough to limit or eliminate the need to reload during a self-defense situation. A typical tube magazine-fed, pump-action, or semi-automatic shotgun is ideal. It will hold, on average, 3 to 7 shells plus one in the chamber.

Hunting

Shotguns are used worldwide to hunt all kinds of game. Whether you prefer a break-action, a pump-action, or a semi-automatic, the most important factor when choosing a hunting shotgun is the type of game you intend to hunt. Besides determining which guns and ammunition are most effective, some animals are more regulated than others, potentially restricting your first shotgun choices.

• Waterfowl and migratory birds. Federal regulations have banned the use of lead ammo for waterfowl since 1991. Regardless of all other factors, you must ensure you use steel, copper, bismuth, or other non-lead ammo.
  The Migratory Bird Treaty Act limits shotguns to 3 shells total (including the one in the chamber) and no larger than 10 ga. The most common choice for waterfowl hunting is a long-barreled, semi-automatic shotgun that falls within these regulations.
• Upland birds and small game. Many hunters enjoy shotgun hunting small birds and ground animals, such as pheasants, quails, rabbits, and squirrels. Federal and state laws generally don’t impose specific weapon or ammunition restrictions when hunting such animals.
  While any action and gauge are suitable for these animals, the most efficient small-game shotguns are typically long-barreled and paired with birdshot.
• Turkey. Turkeys are large, territorial, and aggressive, making turkey hunting unlike any other. Their larger size than typical upland birds means you need a larger-sized shot to hunt them. While most actions and gauges are suitable for turkey, ensure you use turkey-specific ammunition and chokes.
• Large game. While less commonly used than rifles, some hunters opt for shotguns instead of rifles to hunt larger animals like deer or elk. Because shotguns have shorter effective ranges than deer rifles, it is considered more challenging and rewarding.
  Any shotgun action 20 ga. and up is suitable for large game, provided you use appropriate buckshot or slug shells.

Regardless of the game you intend to hunt, research all applicable hunting laws and regulations in your area. Check whether you need hunting permits, research local hunting seasons and bag limits, and obey all other relevant regulations.

Competition and Sport Shooting

The world of sports shooting and competition disciplines is vast, and many feature shotguns. The best first shotgun for you depends on the sport you are interested in; each has its own rules and regulations, dictating the type and specifications you’ll need.

Below is a brief list of shooting sports involving shotguns:

• Trap shooting
• Skeet shooting
• Sporting clays
• Five-stand shooting
• 2-gun and 3-gun
• IPSC Shotgun divisions

Shop New and Used Shotguns at IFA Tactical Today

Once you know what type of shotgun you want or are most likely to need, the next step is to visit IFA Tactical in Sterling Heights. We carry an extensive selection of shotguns of all makes and models from the world’s top manufacturers.

Our team can advise you based on your needs and budget and help you buy your first shotgun, whether it’s brand-new or a quality pre-owned piece. If you have questions about shotguns, accessories, and ammunition, don’t hesitate to ask us. Contact us to find out more about shotguns and owning and operating firearms.