Anyone who has read this space long enough knows that I like shotguns. I like all sorts, from the tactical to the sporting. I like shooting deer, clays and targets all the same. I don’t discriminate when it comes to the repeating claymore. If you are a shotgun fan, one problem you’ll eventually run into is how to carry extra ammo. There are lots of solutions, from side saddles to chest rigs. Many of them are quite awesome, others not so much. I’ve practiced with several and could never come across one I just fell in love with.
I tend to be fond of belt designs. I like bandoliers, but most of the cheap ones can be tough to use and compress. Plus, they wear out and are disposable. I didn’t see the belt design I really wanted, which would involve polymer shell holders. In a fit of frustration, I decided to just make my own. I used components from several companies to produce what I think is the best shotgun belt out there.
The Ultimate Shotgun Belt
I aimed to find a solution that was more manageable, more intuitive, and more durable than bandoliers. I wanted an easy means to draw extra ammo in an ergonomic fashion and to be able to load at least two rounds at a time if I so chose. From there, I began looking at how I could integrate side saddle reloads.
When I say side saddle reloads, I mean dropping an empty side saddle from a velcro carrier and replacing it with a full-side saddle. That guided me in a new direction and in search of a new solution. I practiced with numerous belt designs, and oddly enough, it took a combination of new and old-school gear to form what I feel is the ultimate shotgun belt.
The first iteration came to be in 2020, and since then, I’ve tweaked it, but it’s remained largely unchanged. It’s been my go-to for several shotguns and is adaptable to any tube or even break-action design. However, it’s really designed for repeating tactical shotguns. I could see it being handy for duck or bird hunters who need a quick reload when shooting high-volume birds.
Is it practical?
Sure, if the world ends or zombies come, it’ll be great. I have no qualms or fantasized realities where I John Wick my way through a fight against 10 bad guys. In reality, the shotgun is a close-range, devastating weapon. The chance of your average home defender needing to reload or even top off their gun is closer to zero than 1%.
A standard tactical shotgun holds anywhere from four to eight rounds, and you are unlikely to empty the tube in a fight with a home invader. Plus, you likely won’t have time to don a battle belt anyway.
It’s practical in the sense that it works but isn’t practical in the sense that I absolutely must have it. If I went to Fallujah tomorrow with a shotgun, I’d take it, but as a dude living in rural America, I don’t think I’ll need to fight my way out of town with a shotgun. It exists to make training easier and to fight back against the invasion of the bugs from Klendathu. Much like every other belt and plate carrier I have, it exists because I want it.
The Shotgun Belt Components
With all that said, let’s dig into the parts and pieces that make up the ultimate shotgun belt.
Safariland Two Shell Holders
These two shotshell holders from Safariland are made from a rigid polymer material. They clamp down nicely on standard 12 gauge shells and present them for an easy draw and quick reload. You can draw one or two shells quite easily. The problem is there are only two of them, and I wanted more than two shots.
After buying several, I found they worked okay on a normal pants belt but got in the way of each other. Plus, they were slow to keep putting on and taking off my pants belt. That’s what let me to create a battle belt-type setup. Which meant I needed a belt.
Blackhawk Belt and Belt Pad
Remember when I said old school mixed with modern gear? This is what I meant. I really built this around the Safariland Two Shot shell holders, which guided my choice of a belt. The two shooters can fit a 2.25-inch belt and really work best on a 2.25-inch belt. This prevents them from riding upwards or moving along your belt as you move and groove.
The Blackhawk 2.25-inch duty belt was the easy choice. Mine is the older model with the older buckle design, but Blackhawk makes a more modern version you can find here. This belt works perfectly with the two shotters. The belt pad is a Blackhawk Belt Pad. It’s simple and does a few things for my belt.
First, it keeps the two shotters from bending inward and making it harder to draw the shells. It also makes the belt less pokey and proddy when worn. The Blackhawk Belt and belt pad go together without issue and function brilliantly.
Blue Force Gear Ten-Speed Single Mag Pouches
Finally, after I got my belt set up with the Safariland two shotters, I noticed room for more. At this same time, I began experimenting with elastic velcro-attached side saddles. I realized these were quite handy and could be carried as if they were magazines. When the side saddle is depleted on the gun, I can rip it off and replace it on the fly.
How should I carry them? They are heavy when loaded, so I needed good retention. Standard AR 15 magazine pouches don’t really work. I did notice the pouches on my Blue Force Gear Ten Speed Chest rig worked perfectly. With that in mind, I ordered two belt-mounted Ten-Speed Single mag pouches. My elastic side saddles dropped in without complaint, and the elastic nature holds ’em snug and keeps them from popping out until I need them. When I need them, they are there and easy to pull out and slap on my gun.
Ultimate Shotgun Belt — In Practice
In most of my shotgun shoots, I use this belt. It provides quick and easy ammo access. I can easily differentiate between shell holders and grab one or two rounds with ease. This makes it easy to get the gun loaded or execute port reloads on the fly. The Ultimate Shotgun Belt also retains the shells without issue. I can run, kneel, climb into the prone, and more without losing a shell. The shell holders are also super easy to refill, way easier than an elastic bandolier.
This is something I’m refining over and over, and I might keep adding and updating, so keep an eye out. If you have any questions, also ask below. If this appeals to you, you can find most of the components right here at GunmagWarehouse.
