Estimated studying time: 9 minutes
I’m an enormous fan of the shotgun as a defensive weapon. In terms of house defence, there’s nothing higher for me and my household. I perceive why it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody, however I do like the advantages the shotgun provides. There have been rumblings right here and there relating to the civilian PDW or private protection weapon idea. As a shotgunner, I wished to use that pondering to the previous scattergun and develop a Shotgun PDW.
A fast Google search tells me I wasn’t the primary to consider this concept. Gabe Suarez has a whole submit about it. We’re primarily of the identical way of thinking, however he advocates for a stockless design, whereas mine takes a stocked route. The Shotgun PDW got here to be because of the inventory design, which comes from Defender Tactical.
Defender Tactical makes many shotgun merchandise and focuses rather a lot on Mossberg designs. Considered one of their newest is the Predator Grip and QuickStock combo. This, plus a brilliant quick Mossberg, drove my thought ahead.
The Civilian PDW
We have to set up what a PDW is, what it does, and why it may very well be beneficial. The time period PDW first got here up in a army context for NATO and is sort of particular to necessitate a particular ammo kind and choose hearth functionality as a civilian, however that’s not an possibility, sadly. Nevertheless, the civilian PDW idea has gathered somewhat steam.
A civilian PDW is a compact and sometimes concealable weapon providing larger vary, management, and higher ergonomics than a handgun. It’s often a large-format pistol with a brace. Consider stuff just like the Flux Protection Raider. That’s a PDW. It means that you can shoot additional, sooner, and straighter.
It’s designed to be carried hid; usually, the thought is that it’s a stop-gap between a pistol and a rifle. The civilian PDW is geared toward conditions the place civil unrest happens, whether or not long-term or short-term. Why wouldn’t you simply keep house with an AR? As Jack Clemons says, you continue to should pay lease within the apocalypse.
It won’t be a complete Mad Max-style state of affairs, however concealment remains to be mandatory. Nevertheless, it additionally could be when the police aren’t responding to each name, and also you’re by yourself. Having only a Glock 43 places you in a tough situation, so why not have one thing concealable however extra succesful as effectively?
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So, is the shotgun PDW a practical idea?
BLUF – It’s Not Sensible
Backside line up entrance: I’m not advocating for the common Joe to hold a short-barreled shotgun. This is kind of a thought experiment of what a shotgun PDW might appear to be. The tax stamp, the issue of acquiring components, and the authorized repercussions of carrying an NFA weapon make this an unrealistic proposition.
The Shotgun PDW is reserved for a time when the regulation doesn’t care about what weapon you carry, which appears pretty unlikely. So, to be clear, don’t carry sawn-off shotguns and count on to not get in bother.
The Breakdown Of My Shotgun PDW
My Shotgun PDW began life as a Mossberg 590A1 receiver. I then filed an eForm 1 to formally and legally enable me to create a short-barreled shotgun. From there, I put in a ten.5-inch barrel, a three-round journal tube with a +1 extension, and the Predator Grip and QuikStock from Defender Tactical.
The Predator grip appears to be like and capabilities a bit like the unique Shockwave grip. It’s the identical design, however somewhat longer and straighter. The true trick to the Predator grip is the power to suit a small, light-weight, skeletal inventory often called the QuikStock. The QuickStok is a quick-attach and largely quick-detach inventory.
It slides into the rear of the Predator grip, reworking your gun from a pistol grip-only shotgun to a stocked shotgun. The inventory is tremendous gentle and quick, so it may be stashed in a bag alongside the Shotgun PDW.
I’ve additionally geared up the weapon with a crimson dot and a Defender Tactical mini-shell adapter. The gun can usually maintain 4 2.75-inch shells and 5 mini shells.
Advantages of the Shotgun PDW
Most present civilian PDWs are pistol-caliber weapons. This implies you’re caught with pistol-caliber ballistics, which basically suck. The Shotgun PDW offers you lengthy gun energy in a really compact package deal.
A buckshot spherical for this quick gun is way more efficient on the right track than a 9mm or any pistol spherical. The Shotgun PDW hits onerous and has glorious terminal ballistics. Plus, you’ll be able to swap between slugs and buckshot. Slugs can get by limitations and canopy significantly better than pistol rounds.
Buckshot offers the benefit of a number of projectiles per set off pull, making it simpler to hit a risk the place it counts. Hitting shifting targets is far simpler with a shotgun than a traditional PDW. It’s only a issue of projectiles spreading a number of inches at shut vary.
Downsides
An uber-short, light-weight shotgun takes a variety of follow to make use of effectively. The recoil may be intense, so you must lean into that basic push/pull approach and supply zero slack. It’s simple for the gun to get away from you if you happen to’re not skilled with shotguns.
It’s additionally deafening, and muzzle flash may be distinguished with slugs. With Federal FliteControl, there isn’t a lot flash, however cheaper buckshot hundreds may be extra noticeable. We’re additionally restricted in capability. You must load the gun to maintain combating consistently.
The tax stamp is a matter and won’t be authorized in your state. The tax stamp and its restrictions are a trouble and make this an unrealistic possibility underneath our present legal guidelines.
Taking the Shotgun PDW For a Stroll
Taking pictures the Shotgun PDW isn’t as tough as I anticipated. I’m fairly accustomed to short-barreled shotguns, and with low-recoil ammo, I might place two rounds on two targets in lower than one second with simply the pistol grip. The Predator grip gives a wonderful grip on the gun and doesn’t damage the wrist.
Utilizing the push/pull approach, the entrance grip helps management the gun and scale back recoil. Drilling targets with buckshot at shut ranges is simple, identical to with another shotgun. Inside 20 yards, the Shotgun PDW works fairly effectively with simply the Predator pistol grip. If we get a bit additional again, we are able to shortly set up the QuickStock.
It slides proper into the grip, and you’ll now have a correctly stocked shotgun. This makes it simple to hit threats from 25 to 50 yards. At 50 yards, I persistently hit with slugs and felt assured utilizing the gun defensively.
Past 50 Yards
Past 50 yards, issues bought wonky. Sometimes, I can hit targets at 100 yards with slugs, however the shorter barrel might trigger velocity and stability points. I can hit a man-sized torso, however I’m not getting the accuracy I’d need for defensive use.
For this idea, 50 yards is ideal. In actuality, we’re prone to be a lot nearer; slugs can be used to get rid of skinny cowl moderately than long-range pictures.
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The crimson dot makes an enormous distinction in pace and accuracy. Put the dot on the goal, pull the set off, and the goal will get a load of buckshot or a slug. The shotgun PDW does a improbable job of combating at shut vary.
Private Defender Redefined
If there weren’t so many authorized restrictions on the Shotgun PDW, I believe it might be a really legitimate idea. It’s a succesful, quick, and highly effective weapon. It might be able to self-defense and would overcome the pistol’s ballistic points. It might be extremely area of interest for self-defense, however it’s extremely enjoyable on the vary.
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Travis Pike is a devoted firearms author, a Second Modification Advocate, and a topic fanatic for all issues firearms. He’s an novice competitor with desires of sooner or later not coming in 4th place at an area defensive match. If he’s not placing textual content to phrase processor, he’s possible spending time with household, having fun with Florida’s Nature Coast, or consuming hipster beer. Because the resident Florida man he has a choice for obscure weapons and calibers.
Expertise
Hunter – Very long time deer and hog hunter within the swamps of Florida Teacher – Volunteers to show fundamental firearm security courses to children, adults, and cats Wannabe Competitor – Has just lately dipped his toes into aggressive capturing and has fortunately found an costly passion. Marine – Served 5 years with the infantry earlier than transferring to the First Civ Div.
