What could make the ever useful shotgun even more useful?
We take a look at 12 gauge adapter sets that offer so much more for your shot gunning experience.
What is the idea on a shotgun shell adapter anyway? Well think about the ability to fire a smaller gauge shotshell in your big 12 gauge for cheaper shooting and less game meat damage. Let’s even take that idea even farther. What about an adapter that fits into your shotgun barrel that is actually rifled on the inside and will let you fire a variety of handgun cartridges? Interesting idea right?
With the earlier paragraph still in your mind, also imagine a U.S.A. based company that could make such devices for your trusty beak action scattergun? Short Lane Gun Adapters is that company right in Montana that is ready to send you out incredible adapter kits that are actually works of machining art. I got a chance to test them out and they are incredible.
The shotgun I used for this review is a tried and true H&R Topper Model 88 in 12 gauge that shoots 3″ magnums. This type of shotgun is found just about anywhere, and usually at an affordable price. I wanted something average, without bells and whistles, to experiment with the bare bones approach to transforming the shotgun.
Let’s look first at how it’s all set up before shots are fired.
The Short Lane Gun Adapters Stack-N-Pack is a series of three chamber adapters that will drop into the 12 gauge shotgun chamber. It is important to note you can only use these in a break action type shotgun. The first chamber adapter is for 12 gauge down to 20 gauge. The second is 20 gauge down to .410 bore/ .45 Colt cartridges. Lastly, the third adapter is .410 bore/.45 Colt smooth bore shotgun down to smooth bore .22 Long Rifle caliber.
These adapters nest inside of each other for both storage and use. I’ve got to admit that it’s a neat, out of the box idea. A small rod serves as an ejector that then sits inside the .22 Long Rifle adapter and is all housed in a rubber o-ringed plastic twist top polymer case. These adapters are stackable & packable, ready for easy storage and transportation.
First I tried was the .410 bore/.45 Colt insert. This was tested using Remington Express Long Range 3″ Magnum loads in #6 at 12 yards. Let’s just say, if that target had been a rabbit, it would have had a really bad day. It really seemed like Short Lane Chamber Adapters would help get the job done using the old small bore shotgun load.
To be honest, I first thought that the patterns of the shot loads would be subpar when the shot flew through a larger barrel than it was originally intended for. Surprisingly, it did not become an apparent problem at all. The groups were certainly compatible with what you’d expect from any worthy small game shotgun. The shotshells extracted easily with a simple push of the finger, but when testing the .22 Long Rifle adapter required the use of the supplied ejecting rod.
What would the Short Lane Gun Adapters Stack-N-Pack be best used for? Obviously, if you’re needing something for survival the ability to change a 12 gauge gun into something that shoots 20 gauge, .410/.45 Colt and .22 Long Rifle loads could be a real game changer. Used as a bug out tool, you’ve got something that can be easily carried and adjustable to fit your needs. It would be a great addition to your bug out bag and hunting bag for those occasions when a 12 gauge shotgun load is just too much.
Short Lane Gun Adapters also sent over to me for review three adapters to also let any hinge-action shotgun fire other cartridges. These are from the Pathfinder Series and sport fully rifled 8-inch barrels. Made of stainless steel, they allow the shooter to fire pistol ammunition.
Supplied were .22 LR, 9mm and .38 Special adapters for the mighty 12-gauge shotgun. These adapters drop right into the chamber and hold firmly into place by two rubber O-rings. Just drop the new-caliber cartridge into the inserted adapter and fire away.
The next day after, receiving the Short Lane Gun Adapters Pathfinder Series, it was range day. I was very curious how this range trip would go with all three adapters. The shotgun I chose for this test was a vintage Harrington & Richardson Topper 88 in 12-gauge, 3-inch chambering. Would the plain-bead front sight and gritty shotgun trigger on the H&R single-shot allow precise shooting? Would the adapters hold up? These questions ran through my head until I fired the first shots. I took all my shots from 15 yards away
The very first Short Lane Gun Adapters Pathfinder Series I chose to test was the .22 Long Rifle caliber model. Here is a quick look at what it features:
Converts your 12 gauge Break Action Shotgun to use 22 LR!
Extended Length 8″ Rifled Adapter
For 2 3/4″ & 3″ Chambers
Dual Retaining O’Rings
Finger cut-out for easy shell extraction
Rifled with a 1:16 twist
Average velocity at 5 Yards: 1240 FPS
Made from Alloy steel 4140 & CNC machined for precision.
The results were fun, fun, fun! It’s like having another gun for a small price! I placed the chamber side at a 12 o’clock position inside the 12-gauge shotgun. I figured this position would be closest in line with the bead sight. Utilizing Federal 36-grain bulk-packed .22 Long Rifle ammunition, I fired five shots as carefully as I could. The front bead sight was the only sighting instrument, and my eye acted as the rear sight. I managed to achieve a surprising 2-inch group from a smooth-bore shotgun barrel with the rifled Pathfinder adapter.
Now this testing was getting quite interesting. I pulled the .22 LR adapter out and placed the 9mm shotgun adapter in its place. Here is more about this product:
Converts your 12 gauge Break Action Shotgun to use 9mm!
- Extended Length 8″ Rifled Adapter
- For 2 3/4″ & 3″ Chambers
- Dual Retaining O’Rings
- Finger cut-out for easy shell extraction
- Rifled with a 1:10 twist
- Average Velocity at 8 Yards: 1295 FPS
- Made from Alloy steel 4140 & CNC machined for precision.
- +P Ammo NOT Recommended.
With a fresh target secured downrange, I used Winchester white box FMJ 9mm ammunition and fired another five shots. Watching the larger holes appear near the center of the target was definitely fulfilling. The group sized at an incredible 1.5 inches overall. I was thoroughly impressed. The old timers at the gun club watched in amazement the results of the testing.
With all in attendance thoroughly impressed, I decided it was time to test the .38 Special adapter. A quick look at the features of this adapter before shots fired:
Converts your 12 gauge Break Action Shotgun to use 38 Special!
***ONLY USE 38 SPECIAL *** NOT for 357 MAG – Will NOT Chamber***
- Extended Length 8″ Rifled Adapter
- For 2 3/4″ & 3″ Chambers
- +P Ammo CAN be Used in THIS Adapter!
- Dual Retaining O’Rings
- Finger cut-out for easy shell extraction
- Rifled with a 1:20 twist
- Made from Alloy steel 4140 & CNC machined for precision.
Could this adapter work as well as the other tested adapters? With five shots of PMC FMJ ammunition, the group was a very nice, tight, 1.75-inch group, which impressed everyone once again at the range that day.
Short Lane Gun Adapters also carries other great adapters for your hinge action 12 gauge shotgun. Want to shoot black powder or similar equivalent from your shotgun? Well now you can.
The Short Lane Gun Adapters Black Out Reloadable Shell was now in hand for testing. This time I was using a single shot Henry Arms 12 gauge shotgun.
What targets should I use? With spring turkey season on the way in the coming months what better fitting target could there be? Turkey targets it was and the Black Out Shell advertises as good for small game at 20 yards. Loading the Black Out Reloadable Shell was quite easy. Set the adapter upright on a non-conductive surface (no sparks!), pour in your powder from the 50 grain measure (I used a full 50 grains on all shots fired for the test). Then add the thicker over powder wad followed then by your shot. With #7.5 size lead shot and a 50 grain powder charge a 1/2 ounce of shot fit snugly in the shell. A drip of gel super glue is placed on the recessed rim and an over shot card is placed and pushed into position. The second card is added on top of that to soak up and extra super glue and cause quicker drying. Wipe off any extra super glue if present. The shell is ready for loading into your shotgun. Until it is broke in the gasket will make for a tight fit (as you want it to for a good seal). With a wiggle it will go in or come out if tight when new. When the shell is in your shotgun place the 209 primer in position and close the action. You are ready to make some smoke and fire!
For the first test shot I loaded up 50 grains of GOEX FFG Black Powder with #7.5 lead shot as the payload. At 15 yards away I touched off the load at the unsuspecting paper turkey target. I counted 25 lethal hits from that blast.
Want more muzzleloading action? The Short Lane Gun Adapters 209 Muzzleloading Adapter makes your break action scattergun into a proper muzzleloading shotgun.
Here is more about this very cool and useful shotgun adapter:
This Adapter converts your 12 gauge Break Action Shotgun to be used as a muzzle loader.
- Uses a 209 primer.
- Uses Black Powder or it’s equivalent. NO Smokeless powder.
- For shot only NO slugs.
- Made from Alloy steel and CNC machined for precision.
- 75 grains to 85 grains MAX of black powder or its equivalent.
Here is a look with the adapter inserted and ready for a standard size 209 shotgun primer for ignition.
Once again this adapter, like the others, gives you a flexibility with the 12 gauge shotgun not normally found.
While there may be quite a few shotgun adapter sets from various makers on the market, I can honestly state that Short Lane Gun Adapters products were flawless in operation. Why let your shotgun be boring? Try out adapters for your shotgun and have some fun!
