Shotgun Plug

October 20, 2022

Question: I’m a new hunter and plan on hunting upland game birds and small animals like rabbits and squirrels. I’ve been told that my shotgun needs to be “plugged.” What does that mean?

Answer: Wildlife regulations require that shotguns used for the take of game mammals and birds be restricted to a maximum capacity of three shotgun shells. This means that the total capacity of the shotgun, including the magazine and chamber, cannot exceed three shells. As some shotguns come from the factory “un-plugged” (able to accept more than three shells), you must check your shotgun to see how many shells it will hold. If it holds more than three, you must buy (or make) a plug to restrict the magazine capacity. See California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 311(a)(opens in new tab), which states:

I want to know how to take the plug out!

I want to know how to take the plug out!

On my shotgun, there is just a screw cap at the end of the shell tube.  Unscrew it, and the spring and plug come right out.  Mine actually didn't have a plug in when I bought it, so I used a piece of wood dowel.  2 in the tube max for me now, but if I take the plug out I think it fits 5 or 6.  Haven't done it in a long time though. 

Excellent.  Thank you!

Be careful with this though, I don't know how CA feels about modifying shotguns to fit more shells. I know hunting with more than 3 in the gun is a no-no, but it might not be legal elsewhere.  I bought mine when I lived in OR ... A long time ago... It didn't even come with a plug, haha.