If you are looking for ideas on what to get your shotgun for Christmas, as the resident shotgun guy, I have some ideas for you. There is sure to be something on this list for every shotgun out there. Guaranteed.
Vang Comp Follower
This isn’t something many people give much thought to. The follower that came with the shotgun seems to work fine. I am sure that it does. But to someone who has never had a good steak, hamburgers taste fine, too (nothing against hamburgers). The functionality of the Vang follower exceeds most factory followers. There are a few exceptions, but generally speaking, this is a great, budget-friendly upgrade that will not only improve the function of the gun but also make confirming load status a breeze.
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Aridus Q-DC
Elastic and Velcro-based shell cards are all the rage these days. They can go on any shotgun, and when you have used up all the shells, you can rip one off and put on a fully loaded shell card in seconds. What do they not do well, though? They just don’t last, and unless you are really picky, they don’t usually hold onto the shotgun shells that well either. Your shotgun deserves better than that.
This is where the Aridus Industries Q-DC steps in. Sure, it is expensive, but it will last forever. Fooorrreeeevvvveeeerrrrrrrr. It is built like a tank, has all the functionality of Velcro-based carriers, and will actually hold onto the shells well enough that they won’t fall out halfway through a string of fire. Available for the Remington 870, Mossberg 590, and a Universal version, it should fit most shotguns out there.
Surefire Scout Light Pro
Shotguns are brutal machines, and they tend to break the things that are attached to them. Especially lights. I have killed everything from cheap $80 lights to expensive $300 lights on a shotgun. One light that I trust to make it, and that is pretty easy to put on the gun without adding a lot of bulk, is the Surefire Scout Light Pro. It comes with Surefire reliability and with the new mounting interface, keeps a pretty small footprint on the gun and doesn’t hang way off the gun. A match made in heaven.
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Magpul SGA Stock
Something I wish shotgun manufacturers would start to understand, the 14” length of pull on most defensive shotguns is way too much for how these guns are being used. If you want to make your shotgun feel like a completely different shotgun, put a shorter stock on it. The best aftermarket stock in existence right now is the Magpul SGA. It has an adjustable length of pull with the use of spacers, adjustable comb height, and better ergonomics in general. For a defensive shotgun, it is a must-have item.
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Training Class
This is what every shotgun really, truly, wants. To be used. Don’t stuff it in a safe. Only be brought out once or twice a year to plink around with your buddies in the woods. Don’t set it in the back of the closet to collect dust, and never be touched again. Take it to a class. Get to know your gun. Let it stretch its legs and experience life.
There are plenty of good shotgun instructors around, but there are a few that stand out from the rest. Guys like Rob Haught at Sym-Tac Consulting. Steven Fisher at Sentinel Concepts. Tim Chandler at FPF Training and Justified Defensive Concepts. Ashton Ray at 360 Performance Shooting. All of these guys put on good shotgun classes, and they are literally all over the country.
Conclusion
Get your shotgun something nice for Christmas this year.
Editor’s Note: The main image used in this article was created using an AI Image Engine. We know that the “shotgun” in the picture isn’t real or accurate but we are testing the engine for its possibilities.
