For the Patriot operating with just one firearm, the shotgun can handle it all as long as the right varieties of shotgun shells are kept on hand. In my opinion a good supply of #6 and #7.5 sizes shot for hunting squirrel’s rabbits and upland birds.

My choice of defensive round begins and ends with 00buckshot. Some of the other buck shot rounds such as #3 and #4 Buck offer more pellets in each shot shell, but 00Buck has bigger pellets which is important in my opinion as you may only hit your target with a couple of pellets so the bigger the better in my opinion (especially if your target is shooting back).
A generous supply of slugs will take care of any large game that will need to be taken or to add to versatility of the defensive use of the gun.

Barrel lengths for the 12ga very in range from 18-30 inches with 26”-28” being the usual size found on guns designed for bird hunting. Most modern barrels in this length come equipped with removable choke tubes. These barrel lengths are very difficult to use in close quarters and can be tiresome to carry all day. xtracms.