Greetings, Hippie Survivalists! It's been so very, very long since I last checked in and left a post. Facebook's influence, you know. I get my writing done there and there's nothing left for here...problem with that is that they are two different kinds of writing, and this is where my heart really lies. This isn't a social forum per se, it is a place where I get to spread ideas, ideas about how to survive the future.
So much has changed for me in the past 2 years. I bought a cottage and settled into it and my life has become much more fulfilling. I live in a small, neighborly community and have my own yard and workshop, where I busily finish boxes and fashion post-apocalyptic shields and armor. I found the Wasteland Weekend community, and attend the event yearly. I've also been introduced to some forms of Chinese medicine that I was previously not familiar with - Qi Gong being one of them. I think about Bugging IN now, not Bugging OUT. I spend much less time considering the End of the World, and more time considering my quality-of-life right NOW.
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If you know me, you know that I am particularly enthralled with tactical/survival weapons that are compact and pack a punch. To that end, in recent days I came across a unique weapon system (with accessories) that is of great interest to me. Let's take a look:
Above, we see the
Chiappa Firearms Triple Threat Shotgun, which may be the most perfect weapon I have yet come across. It is a 12 gauge, triple-barreled scattergun with 20-inch barrels. Before you guffaw too loudly, bare with me while I explain. I have long been a fan of the double-barrel coach gun, because of its simplicity, close-quarters effectiveness, size and weight. And in a post-apocalyptic, SHTF world, the break-barrel coach gun could easily be chopped down to make it more portable and concealable. The Triple Threat offers us an additional barrel, and better yet, the third barrel is centered so it can be aimed with greater precision than the other two barrels. Also, note that one version of the Triple Threat comes with a stock that can be disassembled into a pistol grip for greater versatility (where legal) (see image above). And finally, this weapon has removable chokes, and can be outfitted with ported, tactical breacher chokes (see image below).
When we consider that a break-barrel shotgun of this type can fire just about any type of shotgun shell/ammunition, from 3-inch mags to mini-shells, from engine-busting slugs to tactical buckshot to in-the-house birdshot, we glimpse the additional versatility of this gun. To that end, let us look at some very cool caliber adapters that have hit the market and would round out this firearm as an awesome survival weapon system:
The
Gaugemate Pocket Sportsman (pictured below) is a set of stainless steel barrel adapters that allow you to fire 20 gauge, .410 bore/.45 Colt, .45 ACP, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, 9mm and 22LR rounds thru your shotgun. What is particularly unique about this set is that each insert is the exact dimensions of a standard 12 gauge shell (I assume 2 3/4 inches in length), allowing these adapters to also be cycled thru a pump shotgun! This may be a first, this design. Having this kit attached to the sling of the Triple Threat would allow the Triple Threat to fire a greater range of ammunition, and the third (centered) barrel of the Triple Threat would allow for much greater accuracy with pistol ammunition.
A company called Short Lane sells the
Black Out Powder Adapter (see image below), which allows you to fire pre-loaded black powder shotshells thru your standard, break-barrel 12 gauge. Sheer genius! Note that you will need to provide your own pyrodex and caps to complete this accessory. Add this kit to your BOB or gun sling for yet greater versatility.
Finally, add a full set of chokes to this package so as to adjust the weapon's range as necessary. Below is a chart showing the effects of different choke sizes:
So, here is my take on the near-perfection of this weapon system: It's extremely simple with almost no moving parts. It's compact, lightweight and can be made more compact by disassembling the stock. It is a serious ass-kicker at close range. Its range can be adjusted via the use of chokes. It can fire virtually any type of standard shotgun or pistol ammunition, including black powder rounds. It would be formidable as a CQB weapon, specifically when used to clear rooms and trenches, guard prisoners, cover vehicles at checkpoints, and also when used indoors and as a vehicle PDW. It could also be used to hunt with, and the barrel would dampen the sound of pistol ammo, acting as a suppressor.
The cons of this weapon system are: The Triple Threat's stock could stand to be blackened and the metal action and barrel could stand to be Parkerized (weatherproofed). A Picatinny rail could stand to be added to the underside of the barrels. The cost of the weapon - roughly US$1,600 -- is exorbitant. Even US$800 would be high for a weapon in this category. The caliber adapters lack rifling and barrel length - meaning rounds fired thru them will lack power and accuracy. And finally, this weapon lacks range. However, that doesn't make it irrelevant, it just means that you might want companion weapons in order to round this package out. To which I would say, add an M4 and a .45 pistol (each with .22 conversion kits, of course).
That's it for today, folks! Keep warm and pray for good, old-fashioned rain here in sunny Cali if you would! We need it. Ta til we meet again!
