Grew up using a Bazilian made CBC MODEL SB SINGLE SHOT 20GA SHOTGUN FULL CHOKE that had the break down lever (trigger) in front of the trigger guard. I was 8 years olds when my father bought it for me for hunting, I used that shotgun until my mid 20's hunting everything from squirrels, rabbit, fox, duck, turkey, dove, quail and deer. I was so good at reloading it i could take two shots and drop two birds in covey of quail we jumped before they were out of range! So yeah a good single shot shotgun is hard to beat for reliability, utility and durability! I still have the old gun and it still works like the first time I used it!
My greatest bunny buster of all time: Late 1990's $79 H&R WallyWorld 12 gauge. It's a break open, but it doesn't fold. I got another 410 a few years later that does fold, sort of... I absolutely LOVE the 12! The Single shot really makes you think about shot placement. I'm convinced that it made me a much better shooter overall.
Double barrel or over/under minimum. A quick fallow up shot is needed on occasion. Plus, sub caliber inserts can be used in one barrel while still having a shot shell chambered.
I agree. Single shots are great fun. But there are very few people who really hunt that would choose a single shot over a double, pump or auto. How many times have you gotten the bird on the second shot?
I still have my 1977 H&R Topper model 58 12 ga. single shot in near mint condition modified choke 28in. barrel !!! I also can shoot not only 12ga. but .410 ga. 20ga .22LR .22Mag. .38Spec. 9mm .45Colt and with the muzzle loader adapter I can shoot black powder loads as well !!! I added a nice soft slip on leather sling and a nice snap on green fiberoptic front sight for my old aging eyes and yes a Sims Limbsaver slip on recoil pad to tame that mule kick of the 12ga loads !! So yes it is my most versatile firearm that I have and it was my very first real gun old Santa gave for Christmas of 1978 !!!
Those barrel swaps were popular with the NEF Handi Riflle. Could run anything from a 12 gauge down to at least a heavy barrel.223 if not lower with a barrel swap for like $130 a barrel
I have three single-shots. Two NEF's and a Kasner, ( made in S. Korea ). Don't overlook pistol caliber inserts. I have one in .45 Colt, from Short Lane. Since I own other firearms in that caliber, that made sense to me. Adequate caliber, even with 'Cowboy' loads it will take down blacktail deer in the thick, brushy country that I live in, serve for coyote suppression, and of course, if needed, defense against two-legged varmints. I can, run 3 " shells, or the standard 2 3/4 " shells. Slugs, or shot, down to dove loads, in the NEF's. 2 3/4" only for the Korean made one. With practice, they can be reloaded quite quickly. Just overall these are the most versatile firearms that I own. They can even be used, ( if one knows how ) as black powder shotguns. I've done it. ( Hat tip to Dave Canterbury ) Additionally, they can be broken down and reassembled for transport with either a straight slot, or Phillips head screwdrivers. Common tools. Broken down, they are easily stored to be reassembled on arrival. What about sighting? JB welding fishing rod guide to the receiver end, is an old Appalachian hillbilly way of dealing with this problem for hunting whitetails. Again, this is something that I have actually done it and it works. I don't use these as 'truck guns' because since NEF is out of business, they are becoming rarer, hard to find, and yes, more expensive. But for survival purposes, putting meat or fowl on the table, they fit my bill.
Thompson Center Contemder was the platform with swappable barrels, it was a pistol, they also had a rifle that was based on the same concept. They are back in business and bringing back the contenders
Thanks for the comment. I ended up looking it up later and it was the Rossi Wizard series that had swappable rifle and shotgun barrels but they have been discontinued for some time now. I'd like to see someone re-release such a thing though.
I got break barrel action double barrels and over unders.. but I only have ONE single barrel break barrel action single shot.. and it is my SHTF/EOTWAWKI Apocalypse survival 12ga shotgun - it is a Turkish made 3" chamber Laser Arms XT7 which has a 12' vented rib barrel, beautiful highlighted laser etched receiver, beautiful Turkish walnut stock and fore end with nice checkering , crisp breaking light trigger, brass bead sight.. and it is a smooth bore barrel that is threaded for chokes.. and when folded it easily fits in any back pack. The beauty of this short barrel compact single shot shotgun is not only the small compact size.. but the ability I will have to scavenge for any ammunition when ammo is scarce.. and to be able to use lots of the random ammo that I find due to my collection of various barrel chamber inserts. I have rifled barrel chamber inserts in the following calibers - .22lr.. .22wmr.. .380acp.. 9mm.. 40 S&W.. .45acp.. .45LC.. .38Spl/.357Mag.. .44Spl/..44Mag.. 10mm.. 45-70.. .410ga.. 20ga.. 12ga - there are quite a few different companies out there to choose from like Short Lane.. Chiappa.. The Shooters Box.. Chaszel - just make sure you get the "rifled" chamber inserts if you want any kind of range and accuracy. I have even seen chamber inserts in rifle calibers like 30/30.. .223/5.56x45 and 7.62x39 on places like Ebay but I would highly recommend you stay FAR away from those as I have heard they have blown many shotgun receivers and barrels apart.. and rifle caliber pressures are nothing to play around with! - *the pressures for most shotguns are typically around 14,000 psi or less.. and the pressures for most rifle calibers often exceed 40,000psi.. and can sometimes reach upwards of 60,000psi! - pistol caliber pressures are typically between 30,000psi - 40,000psi but the chamber inserts are specifically designed to handle and contain these excessive high pressures* - just better to NOT take any chances! Since it is a "survival" shotgun.. I also mounted a pic rail and red dot.. a flash light and green laser.. a bandelero sling.. and a shell carrier/pouch on the stock that holds lots of spare rounds = there are also compartments that I have made to hold things like fishing line and hooks, a blade and razor, batteries, paracord, and water proof matches. I also have reloading components with me as well like 209 primers.. wad bases and gas seals.. powders and a measure.. and a slug mould to be able to hand load used 12ga shotgun shells in the field and make myself a quick slug from any lead that I can find like fishing sinkers or car tire weights. In a survival type situation.. it will be a very handy little tool to have. - when your main battle/CQB semi auto like your Beretta 1301 or Benelli M4 stops running or needs a new extractor or your Mossberg 590 pump action 12ga breaks down or malfunctions and requires parts and repair.. having a dependable little single break barrel action 12ga with just an exposed hammer and a trigger and with very few moving parts will go "BANG!" for you every time you need it to!
It sounds like you're in the same mind as the rest of us. It's light, useful, and easy to carry, and with inserts, you can shoot any caliber you choose.
Good stuff, single shots hold a near and dear place in my heart. My first gun at 7 years old was an NEF single shot 410 passed down from my dad, passed from his dad. I grew up hunting and killed everything from birds to deer with that gun, as i got older i ended up with alot more of them. Normally NEF or H&R brands were the ones i got and i agree, i dont believe in choppin those down, theyre built like tanks and shoot awesome. I got a few of the new cheap ones like nomad and hatfields, the dont shoot as good, patterns could be alot better and they kick alot worse but they definitely work. That bein said i got a 28 inch field barrel nomad and i have 10 or 12 adapters for it, its definitely a very versatile setup for the woods or end of the world in my opinion. God bless from ole Carolina.
I bought one plus an old Short Lane Pathfinder multicaliber barrel insert kit. I then ordered a few other calibers from a website of the old, out of production Chiappa ones. Now that one gun can shoot about 16 calibers and gauges.
I have my old H&R mode 176 10/12 ga single shot and I love it to much to butcher it so I bought a KSA cricket .22 and made it my survival rifle and have a similar setup like yours down to the compass on the gun
If this was a persons only option, I'd try to get a few of those adapter inserts to handle rifle/handgun calibers. Those single shots do pack a kick. Regardless, everyone should own one or more.
well my first firearm was a single shot 12ga i hunted everything with that gun for years learned fast to be a good shot because you never had time to reload for a second shot
I am a proud owner of an old WW Greener DB 12ga, love that old gun. Fits me well and not much I point it at lives. But the fact that it is so pretty, auto ejector and made in around 1900. I am paranoid about something breaking or field damage. I am very close to trading it for a single with external hammer just for the robust factor. Gun laws in my state will not allow me to have two shotguns so the decision to trade is not easy.
Marlin bought NEF. Ruger bought Marlin. People like to accuse Ruger of "stealing other people's ideas", but, for the most part, Ruger does not "clone" anything, unless they can make a better version, and usually cheaper. A Ruger version of the NEF would undoubtedly be better than the original, and probably cheaper than one of those new Henry single shots. Used NEFs and Stevens/Savage singles aren't exactly cheap anymore. I've seen them routinely getting over $300, which might be ok for the rifles but not single shot 12g. If you can find a Stevens or NEF under $200, you should definitely grab it. Both guns have pretty strong followings, and new parts are made by independent machinists all over the internet. The turkish bargain singles are just a very weird gun. Yeah, if you need a sub $125 shotgun right away, that's cool. However, that's where the novelty runs out. They only "win" in the "cheapest new single" category. Rossi used to offer their NEF clone in matched pairs as well as stand alone. The Rossi may not be as valuable as the NEF, but it has a nicer trigger and usually had better wood even on the base models. Id definitely go for the rossi NEF clone over the Hatfield, if it were a possibility to do so. The Rossi, NEF, and Stevens all had steel receivers. This is something to think about for some people, as the Hatfeild uses an aluminum one. But yes, if i had a Hatfield single, or whatever badge theyre being sold under, depending on where you are, i definitley wouldnt feel bad about doing any mods to it.
No hate, I’m no expert and have never been in a shtf situation. But I don’t think I’d use paracord for a sling. Or if I did I’d never strip down the sling and use the cordage because that makes it more difficult to carry around the firearm. Just my two cents
Nope, piss on a cheap ass single shot. Double is as low as I go. Mossberg 500, 590, Benelli M4. I have to fix more single shot shotguns than any other type of shotgun from their cheap construction. As a Gunsmith I have to disagree with this except for the lightweight category.
Ive had some NEF and h&r shotguns for over 20 years, some of those guns are over 40 years old or more. Ive only had to replace 1 firing pin in one that was over 40 years old once.... and all the guns I have are working guns. When I say workin guns I mean TOOLS, ive used some of these guns for 10s of thousands of rounds literally, that were passed down to me. I hunt and shoot, and you clearly did t grasp the reasoning of this video.
@@tylertapp131 I'm not into circle jerks, aka confirmation bias. I'm glad yours worked for you. I've got 120 year old single shots that still mostly work as well, by and large these cheap guns break more often than other shotguns.
Steven single shot 20guage. turkey gun i have...... because picitine rail. ... i can use scope or red dot on it plus. ... 20guadge shotgun inserts. its a great tool id recommend
Grew up using a Bazilian made CBC MODEL SB SINGLE SHOT 20GA SHOTGUN FULL CHOKE that had the break down lever (trigger) in front of the trigger guard. I was 8 years olds when my father bought it for me for hunting, I used that shotgun until my mid 20's hunting everything from squirrels, rabbit, fox, duck, turkey, dove, quail and deer. I was so good at reloading it i could take two shots and drop two birds in covey of quail we jumped before they were out of range! So yeah a good single shot shotgun is hard to beat for reliability, utility and durability! I still have the old gun and it still works like the first time I used it!
Excellent, thank you for the story. Shows what training can do.
My greatest bunny buster of all time: Late 1990's $79 H&R WallyWorld 12 gauge. It's a break open, but it doesn't fold. I got another 410 a few years later that does fold, sort of... I absolutely LOVE the 12! The Single shot really makes you think about shot placement. I'm convinced that it made me a much better shooter overall.
Great comment, thank you!
Double barrel or over/under minimum. A quick fallow up shot is needed on occasion. Plus, sub caliber inserts can be used in one barrel while still having a shot shell chambered.
I agree. Single shots are great fun. But there are very few people who really hunt that would choose a single shot over a double, pump or auto. How many times have you gotten the bird on the second shot?
All it takes is money...
I still have my 1977 H&R Topper model 58 12 ga. single shot in near mint condition modified choke 28in. barrel !!! I also can shoot not only 12ga. but .410 ga. 20ga .22LR .22Mag. .38Spec. 9mm .45Colt and with the muzzle loader adapter I can shoot black powder loads as well !!! I added a nice soft slip on leather sling and a nice snap on green fiberoptic front sight for my old aging eyes and yes a Sims Limbsaver slip on recoil pad to tame that mule kick of the 12ga loads !! So yes it is my most versatile firearm that I have and it was my very first real gun old Santa gave for Christmas of 1978 !!!
Those barrel swaps were popular with the NEF Handi Riflle. Could run anything from a 12 gauge down to at least a heavy barrel.223 if not lower with a barrel swap for like $130 a barrel
I have three single-shots. Two NEF's and a Kasner, ( made in S. Korea ). Don't overlook pistol caliber inserts. I have one in .45 Colt, from Short Lane. Since I own other firearms in that caliber, that made sense to me. Adequate caliber, even with 'Cowboy' loads it will take down blacktail deer in the thick, brushy country that I live in, serve for coyote suppression, and of course, if needed, defense against two-legged varmints.
I can, run 3 " shells, or the standard 2 3/4 "
shells. Slugs, or shot, down to dove loads, in the NEF's. 2 3/4" only for the Korean made one.
With practice, they can be reloaded quite quickly. Just overall these are the most versatile firearms that I own.
They can even be used, ( if one knows how ) as black powder shotguns. I've done it. ( Hat tip to Dave Canterbury )
Additionally, they can be broken down and reassembled for transport with either a straight slot, or Phillips head screwdrivers. Common tools. Broken down, they are easily stored to be reassembled on arrival.
What about sighting? JB welding fishing rod guide to the receiver end, is an old Appalachian hillbilly way of dealing with this problem for hunting whitetails. Again, this is something that I have actually done it and it works.
I don't use these as 'truck guns' because since NEF is out of business, they are becoming rarer, hard to find, and yes, more expensive. But for survival purposes, putting meat or fowl on the table, they fit my bill.
Certainly, something that should be in everyone's collection. Thanks for your comments and I agree completely!
Thompson Center Contemder was the platform with swappable barrels, it was a pistol, they also had a rifle that was based on the same concept. They are back in business and bringing back the contenders
Thanks for the comment. I ended up looking it up later and it was the Rossi Wizard series that had swappable rifle and shotgun barrels but they have been discontinued for some time now.
I'd like to see someone re-release such a thing though.
Love single shots. I have a Rossi Matched Pair that has a .22lr barrel and a .410 barrel. Came with a carry bag so I keep a small survival kit in it.
I got break barrel action double barrels and over unders.. but I only have ONE single barrel break barrel action single shot.. and it is my SHTF/EOTWAWKI Apocalypse survival 12ga shotgun - it is a Turkish made 3" chamber Laser Arms XT7 which has a 12' vented rib barrel, beautiful highlighted laser etched receiver, beautiful Turkish walnut stock and fore end with nice checkering , crisp breaking light trigger, brass bead sight.. and it is a smooth bore barrel that is threaded for chokes.. and when folded it easily fits in any back pack.
The beauty of this short barrel compact single shot shotgun is not only the small compact size.. but the ability I will have to scavenge for any ammunition when ammo is scarce.. and to be able to use lots of the random ammo that I find due to my collection of various barrel chamber inserts.
I have rifled barrel chamber inserts in the following calibers - .22lr.. .22wmr.. .380acp.. 9mm.. 40 S&W.. .45acp.. .45LC.. .38Spl/.357Mag.. .44Spl/..44Mag.. 10mm.. 45-70.. .410ga.. 20ga.. 12ga - there are quite a few different companies out there to choose from like Short Lane.. Chiappa.. The Shooters Box.. Chaszel - just make sure you get the "rifled" chamber inserts if you want any kind of range and accuracy.
I have even seen chamber inserts in rifle calibers like 30/30.. .223/5.56x45 and 7.62x39 on places like Ebay but I would highly recommend you stay FAR away from those as I have heard they have blown many shotgun receivers and barrels apart.. and rifle caliber pressures are nothing to play around with! - *the pressures for most shotguns are typically around 14,000 psi or less.. and the pressures for most rifle calibers often exceed 40,000psi.. and can sometimes reach upwards of 60,000psi! - pistol caliber pressures are typically between 30,000psi - 40,000psi but the chamber inserts are specifically designed to handle and contain these excessive high pressures* - just better to NOT take any chances!
Since it is a "survival" shotgun.. I also mounted a pic rail and red dot.. a flash light and green laser.. a bandelero sling.. and a shell carrier/pouch on the stock that holds lots of spare rounds = there are also compartments that I have made to hold things like fishing line and hooks, a blade and razor, batteries, paracord, and water proof matches.
I also have reloading components with me as well like 209 primers.. wad bases and gas seals.. powders and a measure.. and a slug mould to be able to hand load used 12ga shotgun shells in the field and make myself a quick slug from any lead that I can find like fishing sinkers or car tire weights.
In a survival type situation.. it will be a very handy little tool to have. - when your main battle/CQB semi auto like your Beretta 1301 or Benelli M4 stops running or needs a new extractor or your Mossberg 590 pump action 12ga breaks down or malfunctions and requires parts and repair.. having a dependable little single break barrel action 12ga with just an exposed hammer and a trigger and with very few moving parts will go "BANG!" for you every time you need it to!
It sounds like you're in the same mind as the rest of us. It's light, useful, and easy to carry, and with inserts, you can shoot any caliber you choose.
Good stuff, single shots hold a near and dear place in my heart. My first gun at 7 years old was an NEF single shot 410 passed down from my dad, passed from his dad. I grew up hunting and killed everything from birds to deer with that gun, as i got older i ended up with alot more of them. Normally NEF or H&R brands were the ones i got and i agree, i dont believe in choppin those down, theyre built like tanks and shoot awesome. I got a few of the new cheap ones like nomad and hatfields, the dont shoot as good, patterns could be alot better and they kick alot worse but they definitely work. That bein said i got a 28 inch field barrel nomad and i have 10 or 12 adapters for it, its definitely a very versatile setup for the woods or end of the world in my opinion. God bless from ole Carolina.
Wonderful story, thank you for sharing it with us!
I wish they still made em like the old iver Johnson copies. Everyone is buying them up and I hardly see them anymore
I bought one plus an old Short Lane Pathfinder multicaliber barrel insert kit. I then ordered a few other calibers from a website of the old, out of production Chiappa ones. Now that one gun can shoot about 16 calibers and gauges.
Very nice!
I have my old H&R mode 176 10/12 ga single shot and I love it to much to butcher it so I bought a KSA cricket .22 and made it my survival rifle and have a similar setup like yours down to the compass on the gun
That's incredible, thanks for sharing!
If this was a persons only option, I'd try to get a few of those adapter inserts to handle rifle/handgun calibers. Those single shots do pack a kick. Regardless, everyone should own one or more.
well my first firearm was a single shot 12ga i hunted everything with that gun for years learned fast to be a good shot because you never had time to reload for a second shot
I am a proud owner of an old WW Greener DB 12ga, love that old gun. Fits me well and not much I point it at lives. But the fact that it is so pretty, auto ejector and made in around 1900. I am paranoid about something breaking or field damage.
I am very close to trading it for a single with external hammer just for the robust factor. Gun laws in my state will not allow me to have two shotguns so the decision to trade is not easy.
That's a really tough call, I think I'd stick with what you have though.
Marlin bought NEF.
Ruger bought Marlin.
People like to accuse Ruger of "stealing other people's ideas", but, for the most part, Ruger does not "clone" anything, unless they can make a better version, and usually cheaper.
A Ruger version of the NEF would undoubtedly be better than the original, and probably cheaper than one of those new Henry single shots.
Used NEFs and Stevens/Savage singles aren't exactly cheap anymore. I've seen them routinely getting over $300, which might be ok for the rifles but not single shot 12g.
If you can find a Stevens or NEF under $200, you should definitely grab it. Both guns have pretty strong followings, and new parts are made by independent machinists all over the internet.
The turkish bargain singles are just a very weird gun. Yeah, if you need a sub $125 shotgun right away, that's cool. However, that's where the novelty runs out.
They only "win" in the "cheapest new single" category.
Rossi used to offer their NEF clone in matched pairs as well as stand alone. The Rossi may not be as valuable as the NEF, but it has a nicer trigger and usually had better wood even on the base models.
Id definitely go for the rossi NEF clone over the Hatfield, if it were a possibility to do so.
The Rossi, NEF, and Stevens all had steel receivers. This is something to think about for some people, as the Hatfeild uses an aluminum one.
But yes, if i had a Hatfield single, or whatever badge theyre being sold under, depending on where you are, i definitley wouldnt feel bad about doing any mods to it.
No hate, I’m no expert and have never been in a shtf situation. But I don’t think I’d use paracord for a sling. Or if I did I’d never strip down the sling and use the cordage because that makes it more difficult to carry around the firearm. Just my two cents
So if there's a pack of Zombies or a gang of burglars trying to get into your house do you say "hold on guys, I need to reload"?
I think with Single Shots we are thinking more of long-term survival.
Nope, piss on a cheap ass single shot. Double is as low as I go. Mossberg 500, 590, Benelli M4. I have to fix more single shot shotguns than any other type of shotgun from their cheap construction. As a Gunsmith I have to disagree with this except for the lightweight category.
What tends to break on these single shots
@ Trigger guards, springs , firing pins , sear, hammer. Locking mechanism, forends, butt stocks. You name it, it has broken
Ive had some NEF and h&r shotguns for over 20 years, some of those guns are over 40 years old or more. Ive only had to replace 1 firing pin in one that was over 40 years old once.... and all the guns I have are working guns. When I say workin guns I mean TOOLS, ive used some of these guns for 10s of thousands of rounds literally, that were passed down to me. I hunt and shoot, and you clearly did t grasp the reasoning of this video.
@@tylertapp131 i agree. I've had a single shot for a long time it hasn't failed
@@tylertapp131 I'm not into circle jerks, aka confirmation bias. I'm glad yours worked for you. I've got 120 year old single shots that still mostly work as well, by and large these cheap guns break more often than other shotguns.
Steven single shot 20guage. turkey gun i have...... because picitine rail. ... i can use scope or red dot on it plus. ... 20guadge shotgun inserts. its a great tool id recommend
I need nothing for the lord provides all I need
Hope he provides you with some forgiveness for that boring ass comment.
@@JohnSmith-d6j5y 😂