How to Build the Ultimate Survival Shotgun

As a Survival and Preparedness instructor, I take my line of work very serious – sometimes too serious. Occasionally, though, I like to take on survival projects that are just down right fun. This article highlights one of those projects.

I’m fortunate in that I’ve been able to turn my passion into my profession – this being the study of Survival and Preparedness. I’ve always enjoyed building survival kits of all shapes and sizes. I enjoy the challenge of fitting life saving survival necessities into small compact containers. I’ve built survival kits using film canisters, candy tins, key-rings, boxes, bottles, tubes, bags and everything in between. For this project I decided to build a survival kit using a shotgun platform – creating the Ultimate Survival Shotgun. My challenge was that everything had to be included in or on the gun itself – no extra pack items or containers. Below is what I did as well as the survival logic behind each decision.

Ultimately your survival needs fall into 5 main categories. Your situation dictates the order. They are:
• Water
• Fire
• Shelter
• Signaling
• Food

Every survival kit must include contents that directly or indirectly meet these 5 basic survival needs. The shotgun platform I decided to use is the Mossberg 500 – PUMP. I chose a pump action because it is easier for me to troubleshoot and work on in the field compared to other models. I chose the Mossberg brand because it is a very popular gun and there are literally 100’s of aftermarket modification pieces and parts designed to fit this gun. I knew I would want to add on some of these ‘extras’ to increase ‘survival value’. In this step is a photo of the shotgun ‘off the shelf’ before my survival modifications.

Step 1 Ammunition

First thing first – the gun itself. A shotgun’s primary purpose is hunting. Clearly, you can use this shotgun as a hunting weapon to ‘restock’ on valuable calories. Humans can go for 3 weeks without food but it’s not fun. Lack of food leads to light headedness, weakness and poor decisions. In a survival situation, meat is the fastest and most effective way to replenish lost calories. Meat comes in all shapes and sizes. Carrying different shot shells designed for different applications increases your chances of a successful hunt.

For this reason, I chose to pack a variety of shotgun shells:
• BIRD SHOT: Designed for birds and other small game such as rabbit and squirrel
• 00 BUCK: Good for turkey and larger game such as deer
• SLUG: Designed for large game such as deer, hog or elk

Comments

[willowhavenoutdoor]

I sure do - here is the link to the resource/parts list:

http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/featured-wilderness-survival-blog-entries/build-the-ultimate-survival-shotgun-modify-your-pump-shotgun-survival-style/

[Gunther45]

Actually one of the most practical Survival Shotguns I have seen. Like it a lot.
Did you make the paracord sling? Very Nice!
Looks like you could utilize picatinny rails on the forearm for more storage of Batteries or what not as well, just a thought.
very nice and practical !

[Whitemonk92]

From the looks of it, that's a very large cobra weave for your sling, so isn't it true that once you begin unraveling and utilizing your cordage you no longer have a sling?

[panzerfaust379]

Like the aluminum baking pan idea. And to all your critics. The best kit and the best weapon, are ones you have with you.

[Lt.Greg]

Amen Panzerfaust379 -- you are absolutely correct!
(I have a hunting jacket that has: 60 feet of 550 cord in the collar; a small plastic bag in one pocket, that holds two hand warmers, a whistle, a small signal mirror, a single-edge razor blade, three water-purification tablets and a small penlight;, a small multi-tool in the shoulder pouch; a second small bag with a few chunks of jerky in another pocket; a small multi-beam flashlight on the zipper tab; and two large plastic garbage bags folded up inside the game pouch on the back. Most of my coats have some variation of these items, although that particular cost is the one with the most equipment in/on it.

[Lt.Greg]

I forgot to add the 6 matches plus striker in the first bag, and a small ferocerrium rod in the other pocket. Speaking of ferrocerrium rods - the best tinder of these is a few cotton balls rolled around in petroleum jelly and stuffed into a tiny plastic bag.

[Tuck Tucker]

I wish I could find a better folding front grip. Those kind break easily. Looking for something more durable. They are under $10.00 on Amazon and I bought a couple spares after the first one broke for unknown reasons before I even got to fire the rifle.

[trouse1]

Despite the criticism it looks to me like you had fun building your USS and I enjoyed reading about your build. Simple fact is if you want something like this you need to build it, try it, re-build it, and keep trying it till you get it the way YOU want it.
Grampa told us we needed to, "stay warm and don't break nothing". Every thing else is luxury. Most who die in the wild die from exposure or accidental injury.

[Ghosthost5468]

Man,Even though I'm Really twelve it's just so amazing to see survival in one shotgun.
Well,when i grow up i'll think I'll get a shotgun and try and do this myself ...

[djzadjza]

how much does that whole loadout weigh?

[jessopher]

My 2 cents on the matches and firesteel:
a) matches are not very reliable, take bic lighters
b) take firesteel if you want, but bic lighters can do the same thing.

situations when using the flare makes sense:
a) you are not a survivalist worth your survival salt/salary (probably not the guy who takes flares with him hunting, but maybe)
b) your lighters and or firesteel get lost, or you use them up.

c) you are too weak or injured to continue trying to light it with a lighter. Or if you are actually cold and shaking and your hands aren't doing what you want them to (fear of impending doom, and being near hypothermic can turn the deftest hands to quivering sausages).

FYI just because it is a flare, doesnt mean you have to actually shoot it at your fire. You can just use the gunpowder and magnesium to aid you in making the fire with the bic lighters. Actually, the type of fire you are probably building in a survival situation would not stand up to the blast of a 12 gauge flare, so if you do shoot your fire, make sure its not a bunch of pine cones and cardboard. In a survival situation, sane people might actually make this mistake, so its not a joke.

[googbar]

a country boy can survive, says the song....

[Marcos El Malo]

This option seems less useful for me personally. I'd rather keep my knife in my belt or boot. (Or as is usual, the pocket knife in my pocket.) I sometimes carry my machete in a back sheath when I'm doing ranch work or know I'm going to be hiking in heavy brush.

[mgalyean]

I have spare knives everywhere. I always have a folder or two on me. An extra on the SG would just be a bonus! About every pack, bag, case I own has folder of mediocre to good quality in it at least. A knife is just too central to have your only one break with or dropped in a crevasse or down a storm drain with no back up. A human without at least one sharp pointy thing and the ability to start a fire is just whining hairless ape in most survival situation.

[Lt.Greg]

"" A human without at least one sharp pointy thing and the ability to start a fire is just whining hairless ape in most survival situation.""

Now YOU sir - are an intelligent thinker also! LOL
(Just don't try to live in NY or NJ with those knives in your pocket or in your gear bags - the authorities around here tend to view anyone who carries a KNIFE!!! (OH MY!) as a de-facto criminal! Their attitude seems to be "Why would anyone carry a knife unless they were planning to cause trouble?" My answer has always been - "Why would anyone NOT carry at least one knife with them at all times?

[panzerfaust379]

Why would anyone want to live in NY? :-)

[Lt.Greg]

Well, Mein Herr (Panzer??) :-)P If you can get past the nitwit socialist mayor and the plethora of dingelberry Liberal sheep living there - You might consider that The Big Apple is the ONLY place in the world where you'll find: The NY Public Library, the MET, Broadway, Wall Street, The Gugenheim, The AMNH, South Street Seaport, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, ChiTown, Little Italy, Central park, SOHO, Trinity Church, Teddy Roosevelt's birth home,(and his summer place on the Island), Shea Stadium, Yankee stadium (in THAT order!) countless great places to eat, and all sorts of other cultural icons, then NY is a pretty darned good place. LOL!

[googbar]

i'd make such a bad comment, but nevermind, i'd offend many and show no respect for the good people... :-(

good shotgun! bad thing I live in a dummy country where firearms are almost banned (except in criminals hands) and we law abiding citizen have to pay lots $$$$ to have a low power weapons (yeah you can still have a 12, but it's a pain in the a*s, as a single shotshell costs about $ 4,00 (about 2,00 dollars) and limited to 200 a month. .22 lr is at about 20,00 dollars /50 rd, and can buy only 300 month...

[Cdn Sapper]

About cops, knives and the nanny-state...(I'm in Canada so I know quite a bit about the tyranny of a nanny-state) one thing I can suggest is carry the ever -sharp Olfa knife, with snap-off blades. I'm a trades person now so I rarely am not wearing carrharts, but despite having gone through numerous security checkpoints and interactions with the authorities, no one seems to even question this handy little tool of my trade. With the blade retracted the tip is a great screwdriver and fantastic little wonderbar (especially the one inch Olfa). The worst that ever happened going through an airport style screening point at the local court house to pay a traffic fine. I tossed the knife in the little box it went through the scanner. The guard picked it up and said, I don't think you can take this in. I openned up the knife, took out the 50 cent blade gave it to him and went on my way with the knife body. Of course I don't know that it wouldn't get you in trouble, but it does everything a knife needs to and then some, requires very little maintainance and the yellow plastic knife seems not to fit into the paradigm of "bad guy knife" that triggers such a hostile response from cops...heck most of the time they seem amused by the useful little tool that they seem so unfamiliar with (for the life of me I can't understand why).

[lalunette]

"I'm in Canada so I know quite a bit about the tyranny of a nanny-state"

Seriously ??

I was born in Canada 46 years ago. I have lived here my entire life... and yet I can't relate to your above statement at all.

Care to elaborate? I'm curious about your point of view.

IMHO Canada is one of the most free places to live in the entire world... on par with the US.

One thing we don't share with our neighbors to the south is their very liberal attitude towards guns.

Don't get me wrong, we Canadians can own guns. Heck, I own a gun. I could probably even build a version of the ultimate survival shotgun. I can even own pistols or revolvers. I just can't own a full-auto machine gun or carry my pistol openly in the street like in the US.

Cheers !!

[Cdn Sapper]

I'll elaborate if we keep it civil. At the time I wrote this I don't think I was aware that the National Long Gun Registry had been repealed from law. Nanny state is a term of British origin that conveys a view that a government or its policies are overprotective or interfering unduly with personal choice. I think that what one person considers an intolerable interference of the state another person feels is a reasonable curtailling of freedom in the public interest. I find it interesting that you say we Canadians can own guns. This is true, but not so many months ago we Canadians had to provide the state with information on long guns we possessed, guns which are difficult to conceal without modifications and with such modifications illegal, and are therefore of limited use to criminal elements; and guns which are rarely used in the commission of offenses. The purpose of the long gun registry was of a political nature; it was to pander to Canada's urban gentry, in particular those in Toronto following the shooting death of Jane Creba, and garner urban support for the Liberal Party of Canada. This was in spite of the fact that none of the shooters involved used a long gun, as the shooters were gang members and carried out the crime with illegal handguns. The long gun registry though, instantly turned previously law abiding citizens into criminals at the stroke of a Liberal pen; I personally chose not to keep a gun after the adoption of the long gun registry, particularly because, should police be visit my home for any reason any query of my name or address would result in police being informed of a gun in the home and the potential of a police confrontation involving my family was too high a risk. The gun registry proved so unpopular throughout the country that a continuous amnesty was granted, however, in a few instances heavy handed police tactics were obfuscated by simply threatening home owners with improper storage and registration charges. So while today you can build the above shotgun, legally, in Canada. It was only a few months ago you would have had to submit a great deal of information to police and state about that gun, and police and the state had the power to enter your home without warrant because you possessed that gun (a fact few in government talked about to law abiding Canadians). Only recently has the new party in power in Canada killed the registry. Previous to this the law proved too onerous to many, such as myself to consider owning a sporting gun. With the recent repeal of the Registry I am now reconsidering my previous choice and am now planning to get my PAL and am shopping for a sporting gun. As a Canadian Sapper who served in the CF I am keenly aware of the destructive nature of firearms, but feel there was little merit to any increase in public safety in the registry.
I think the many US citizens on this site are probably gobsmacked by such an infringement what they consider 1st ammendment rights in Canada (I am aware, Canada has no such rights in it's constitution). As well I agree with you that full-auto weapons should continue to be prohibited in Canada, I'm not in agreement with handguns as I have noted that states where concealed carry is legal have a lower overall incidence of ALL violent crime than Canada. There are other issues as well in Canada including human rights commissions (quasi-legal Canadian courts, where onerous penalties are handed out by busy-bodies untrained in the law, and often fastidious supporters of extremely left-wing policies, against defendants with little in the way of rights and often for behavior that real courts would uphold as lawful). I can go on and on. I will however say, I'm not unhappy in Canada, natural born as you sound like you are...I just think it could be better.
Respectfully to you, "the moon". (Quebecois or Acadian I'm guessing?)

[fordf150man]

amen im a country boy from texas i have a knife on me at all times and in my truck,bags and a shotgun to almost always

[ilpug]

I usually have a multi-tool and a nicer pocket knife on me. I kinda feel naked without them.

[retrosurfer]

The foil pan is a interesting addition to a survival kit. Ive tried it though and you can't depend on being able to unfold it without it leaking in my experience. Ive replaced that type of pan buy carrying a small roll of heavy industrial metal foil that I can shape as needed and seems to last longer when being folded and manipulated have you ever tried tat and if so why do you prefer the pan.

[retrosurfer]

Very interesting project and some interesting ideas. personally I would never do that just because I don't think it's practical to carry that kind of weapon for survival especially in a urban escape/survival situation which about 90% of all people will be doing if something catastrophic occurs and if your not in a urban environment then just build a shelter with all you equipment properly stored. I carry a Small pack with all my survival gear in it in my vehicle at all times and in a scabbard on the side of that bag rides a Remington 870 with a folding stock and a shortened barrel. I have a even smaller escape and evade pack built around a colt 45 auto with a simile assortment of ammunition one that could be hide until needed in a true urban event.

All that said well thought out project and thanks for sharing it.

[doctoroctogonapusblah202]

i am kinda dissapointed no offence though it is just i thought u were gonna make a real shotgun not a mod of a shotgun

[boris400]

i think this idea is ingenious but a little unnecessary. i would just include a comando wire saw. you are less limited on the size of stuff to cut and it is much smaller than carrying two saw blades. the wire saws can be used to cut wood and metal and anything in between. also if you cover it with a peice of rubber tube you cannot cut yourself or anything else when it is stored in the buttstock. im not saying your idea is wrong but this is how i would do it. By the way i love the concept of a shotgun survival kit. i also think the flares are pretty cool. we cannot get them in the UK unless you have a weird calibre flaregun.

[menahunie]

I use the Springfield M6 over under survival gun.
It is a break open rifle and shotgun.

http://www.survival-gear-guide.com/images/springfield-m6-survival-rifle-21317471.jpg

[bwilson5]

As nice as Matches are, wouldn't a firesteel or magnesium striker be a bit more sustainable for long term survival?

[Robot Lover]

I would have to agree with the people that say it's not good to keep everything in one place. However, this is great for say, a natural disaster (or other survival situation) because you can grab it and go. I would then re-arrange everything i.e. put the knife on my belt, survival materials in my pocket etc. so if I lose the gun, I still have everything else.

[Beemerboy]

You know.... After reading all of your prep stuff, I don't think you know anything about survival at all.

That shot gut was a pretty practical weapon till you went overboard with the add-ons. Plastic stocks? Fine. Adding a flash light will only cause your adversary to shoot at the light! and you get shot in the head! Your knife goes in your belt.

I look at it this way... If all of my junk is attached to my shot gun, as soon as I'm disarmed, all of my most important survival stuff is gone too. My game is going to be to lay low, be quiet, stay away from military and police groups and share with my neighbors.

"Rambo thinking" is not thinking.

[jamesrboyle]

WOW really guess what if you got disarmed and your main weapon of survival is a shotgun then your a dead man any ways to be so stupid to let some body take your weapon.... the shotgun is to use for hunting and SELF DEFENSE you use the shot gun to make sure you don't get disarmed STUPID PPL REALLY...

[witmoreluke]

That's fantastic if you're trying to lie low. He's talking about being out in the wilderness, where you might have to do what he said that you might have to do, which is why he said it. If you're trying to fight someone off, get a new AK with a polymer stock. Something reliable that won't break, and you can still keep things in. If you're going deer hunting, are lost in the woods, are shipwrecked, stranded, etc., this is perfect. I'm afraid that you misunderstood, reread it with a different mentality, and you might rethink your conclusion.

[black hole]

Great job. The people who go wailing on, "Oh, now your gun is too heavy!" "Oh, if you're disarmed, you've lost your survival kit" really have no idea what they're talking about. First, who's going to disam you in the woods? Second, this should be intended as a backup to the main kit.
5 stars.

[sschoemann]

Ever lose your footing? you never tripped on a hidden root? never had to cross a creek river or stream? if this is a backup what happened to the primary? if it happend to that gear it can happen to this gear. Survival is not a game of speculation, it's the art of eliminating risks.

[goldedrago]

you sir are ready for the zombie apocolypse....can i live with you?.....lol

[King of Kings Knautz(mini-pyro)]

Am I the only one who has noticed that his knife is pointless on the shotgun, considering the blade is set back to far to pass the end the barrell...Please dear sir, tell me you have gotten a longer blade or have re-adjusted the mount?

[KahlZun]

I think the knife is designed to be detachable.

[vincent7520]

using a bandana as a "last ditch toilet paper" in survival conditions ????………
what a joke !!…
who, in TRUE survival conditions, would waste such a precious piece of material ??…
C'mon ! … Be sensible : if you really need to wipe your behind do what all generations did (but those from the late 20th century western countries) : use a large leaf, a ball of clean fresh grass, or … a nicely polished stone !!…

I'm 60+ years old, and when I was a kid we used to roam in the country : we didn't stick close to the house because one of us may have had an urgent need !… We just crouched behind a tree and used what was at hand to clean up, and back on the "war path" with the rest of the gang !…

There are many things country people from the older generations did daily without pretending it to be "survival".

This example tells what modern "survival" is all about : a game for adults who didn't grow up or who were denied of hiking and boy scouting when they were kids !!!…

[King of Kings Knautz(mini-pyro)]

Not to mention he decided to use the American Flag...