What Shotgun Follower Should I Use?
Share
What Shotgun Follower Should I Use?
The best shotgun follower depends on your magazine tube length. If you are running a magazine extension or a tube that holds more than 5 rounds, a Type 1 or Type 2 follower is usually the better choice. If you are running a standard-length tube, a Type 3 follower is typically the best fit for smooth, consistent feeding.
Here are the S&J Hardware Shotgun Followers.
Why Your Shotgun Follower Choice Matters
Most people overlook the follower.
It’s not a flashy upgrade. You don’t see it. But it directly affects how your shotgun feeds.
The follower is responsible for:
- transferring spring pressure to the shells
- guiding shells through the magazine tube
- keeping everything aligned under compression
If it’s not doing that well, your shotgun won’t feel consistent.
You might not get a full failure. But you’ll get hesitation, drag, or feeding that feels off.
Understanding the Different Types of Shotgun Followers
Not all followers are built the same.
Different designs are meant for different setups. The biggest factor is magazine tube length and capacity.
Type 1 and Type 2 Followers (Best for Extended Magazine Tubes)
Type 1 and Type 2 shotgun followers are best for extended magazine tubes that hold more than 5 rounds. These followers include a tail design that helps keep the spring aligned and centered as it compresses, improving feeding consistency and reducing binding.
If you are running a shotgun with a magazine extension, this is where Type 1 and Type 2 followers shine.
These setups require more from the system.
The spring is:
- longer
- under more compression
- working over a greater distance
That’s where problems can show up if the follower isn’t designed for it.
Type 1 and Type 2 followers include a tail section that helps:
- guide the spring
- keep it centered
- prevent it from twisting or binding
This becomes more important the longer your magazine tube gets.
Without that alignment, you can get:
- uneven pressure
- increased friction
- inconsistent feeding
For extended setups, this is not a small detail. It’s a reliability factor.
Type 3 Followers (Best for Standard Magazine Tubes)
Type 3 shotgun followers are ideal for standard-length magazine tubes. They are designed for low friction and smooth movement, making them a strong choice for hunting, sporting clays, and general-purpose shotguns.
If you are running a standard-length tube, the demands on the system are lower.
You don’t need as much spring control. What you need is smooth movement.
That’s where Type 3 followers come in.
They are designed to:
- reduce friction
- move cleanly through the tube
- provide consistent shell movement
This makes them a great fit for:
- hunting shotguns
- sporting clays
- general-purpose setups
In these applications, simplicity and smoothness matter more than added structure.
Real-World Example
Think about two different setups.
First, a hunting shotgun in Minnesota.
Standard tube. Walking through woods. Cold, maybe wet. You need reliability, but the system isn’t under extreme stress.
A Type 3 follower works well here because:
- it moves smoothly
- it reduces friction
- it keeps things simple
Now compare that to a shotgun with an extended tube.
More shells. More spring compression. More opportunity for the spring to shift or bind.
That’s where a Type 1 or Type 2 follower makes a difference.
It keeps the system aligned when it matters most.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Follower
- Using a basic follower with a long magazine extension
- Ignoring spring alignment in extended setups
- Choosing based on price instead of design
- Not considering how the shotgun is actually used
The biggest mistake is simple.
People treat all followers the same.
They’re not.
How to Choose the Right Follower
It comes down to one question:
What setup are you running?
- Extended tube (5+ rounds) → Type 1 or Type 2
- Standard tube → Type 3
That’s it.
Match the follower to the system, and everything runs smoother.
Final Thoughts
Your shotgun follower is a small part with a real job.
It controls how your magazine system behaves under pressure. If you’re running an extended tube, you need structure and alignment. If you’re running a standard setup, you need smooth, low-friction movement.
Choose the right design, and you remove one more point of failure from your system.