Ammo Onboard – Keep Extra Ammo on Your Shotgun

Without question, the shotgun is one of the kings in stopping power. While the boom stick brings a lot to the fight, it has one notable downside. A standard 18.5″ barrel home-defense shotgun usually has a 5+1 or 6+1 configuration, totaling six or seven rounds. In high-stress scenarios, even an accurate shooter may quickly deplete these rounds. If multiple rounds are needed to stop a threat or engage several attackers, running out of ammunition can quickly render a shotgun an ineffective tool. With this limitation, keeping ammo onboard is essential.

Don’t Let Your Shotgun Run Dry – Keep Ammo Onboard

Defensive situations, such as home invasions, often involve multiple assailants. A full load of six shells can fall short when confronted with multiple threats. Shooters may miss under stress and require second shots. By carrying extra ammunition in a sidesaddle, you ensure that you can reload during the engagement and continue to stay in the fight.

Load Versatility and Adaptability

Shotguns offer exceptional adaptability due to their ability to run various types of ammunition. From birdshot and buckshot to slugs, each type serves a specific purpose. Having extra shells on hand allows you to respond to changing scenarios. For instance, you may opt for buckshot in close engagements and slugs for longer distances or to penetrate barriers. Transitioning from buckshot to a slug could be the difference between success and failure. To leverage this versatility, keep extra shells organized and accessible for rapid selection.

Reloading Under Stress Is Challenging

Reloading a shotgun, especially a tube-fed model, can be tricky under pressure. The dexterity needed to slide shells into the loading port diminishes quickly in a crisis. While practicing tactical reloads is essential, you vastly improve your response by keeping shells easily accessible on the firearm. Using accessories like sidesaddles helps maintain quick and consistent access to your shells. This setup reduces fumbling and keeps your focus on the threat at hand.

One of my favorites is the Mesa Tactical SureShell side mount carrier. These are precision-machined aluminum and are designed to fit perfectly on your gun. They make them for a variety of models and come in various capacity sizes.

In rare defensive situations, such as a home defense event or a rural standoff, sustaining fire becomes crucial. You may not have the opportunity to retrieve more ammunition once the engagement begins. Having extra rounds on a shell carrier ensures that your shotgun remains operational beyond the initial rounds.

Tactical Reload and “Shoot-One, Load-One”

Modern shotgun training emphasizes keeping the gun “topped off.” After firing a round or two, reload immediately when you find cover. This technique, known as “shoot-one, load-one,” requires spare shells to be within arm’s reach. Without extra ammunition mounted on the gun, this method can become irrelevant. Competent shotgunners cultivate muscle memory around these reloads, reinforcing the habit of having spare shells readily accessible to prevent running dry.

It is important to keep extra ammo onboard your shotgun.

Keep Ammo Onboard

For home defenders, carrying spare shotgun shells mounted on the gun via a sidesaddle serves as a simple and effective insurance policy. When faced with danger in the dark, under stress, and with adrenaline pumping, the ability to quickly access extra ammunition can make all the difference.