In Arc Raiders, weapon modifications can make a significant difference in combat efficiency. One mod that players often ask about is the Extended Shotgun Mag III. This guide will break down how it works, how to craft it, and how it affects gameplay in practice.

What Does the Extended Shotgun Mag III Do?

The Extended Shotgun Mag III is a rare modification that increases the ammo capacity of shotguns. Most players notice that shotguns like the Il Toro or Vulcano tend to run out of ammo quickly in longer missions. This mod adds +6 to magazine size, which can be a substantial improvement in firefights where reloading can leave you vulnerable.

In general, using this mod allows you to spend more time shooting without interruption. It’s particularly helpful in missions where waves of enemies appear, as it reduces the number of reloads per encounter.

Which Shotguns Can Use It?

The mod is compatible with a few specific shotguns. Most players use it on:

• Il Toro

• Vulcano

If you try it on other weapons, it won’t apply, so make sure your loadout matches these models. Usually, players who favor heavy shotguns or crowd-control builds find it most effective.

How Do You Obtain Extended Shotgun Mag III?

There are a few ways to get this mod in practice:

1. Crafting

Crafting is the most common approach. To craft the mod, you need:

• Blueprint: Extended Shotgun Mag III

• Materials: 2× Mod Components, 5× Steel Spring

• Crafting Level: Gunsmith 3

In practice, most players make a few of these mods at once because they can be salvaged later if unused. Crafting efficiency improves if you stockpile materials ahead of time and focus on mods that match your preferred weapons.

2. Scavenging

Some players find this mod by scavenging in missions. The drop rate is not high, so it usually supplements crafting rather than replacing it.

3. Salvaging and Recycling

If you have extra mods, you can break them down. For the Extended Shotgun Mag III, recycling yields:

• 1× Mod Components

• 2× Steel Spring

• 2× Mechanical Components

Most players recommend salvaging older or duplicate mods rather than selling them directly. While some look for ARC Raiders items for sale on U4N marketplace, relying on crafting and scavenging usually covers your needs more efficiently.

How Does It Affect Gameplay?

Most players notice a few practical changes when using this mod:

• Fewer Reloads: In general, missions last longer than a single magazine can cover. Adding +6 rounds reduces downtime.

• Better Crowd Control: Shotguns are often used for area-of-effect damage or controlling multiple enemies. With more ammo, you can handle waves without breaking formation.

• Slight Weight Increase: The mod adds 0.75 units to weapon weight. Usually, this is negligible, but for some agility-based builds, it can slightly affect mobility.

In practice, many players attach this mod to a secondary or primary shotgun depending on whether they prefer sustained damage or burst strategies. It pairs well with mods that increase reload speed or damage output.

Crafting Tips from Experienced Players

• Stockpile Components: Gunsmith materials like Steel Springs and Mod Components are often the bottleneck. Most players collect these consistently from missions rather than trying to craft all mods at once.

• Blueprint Management: Keep the blueprint unlocked for your main shotgun. Most players focus on crafting rare mods like Extended Shotgun Mag III only for weapons they actively use.

• Combine With Other Mods: For example, adding damage or recoil mods alongside Extended Shotgun Mag III can create a well-rounded shotgun setup.

When Should You Use This Mod?

The Extended Shotgun Mag III is best in missions where:

• You face multiple enemies in a row, such as survival or arena-type missions.

• You want to minimize reload interruptions and maintain a steady output of damage.

• You primarily use Il Toro or Vulcano shotguns.

Most players avoid using this mod on weapons that rely on high single-shot damage rather than sustained fire, as the ammo increase is less impactful in those cases.

Alternatives and Considerations

Some players ask if other mods might be better than Extended Shotgun Mag III. In general:

• If your shotgun already has reload-speed mods, the Extended Mag provides a complementary benefit rather than overlapping.

• For agility-heavy builds, some prefer lighter mods with smaller weight increases.

Another point is that mods can be swapped. Experienced players often keep multiple mods in their inventory and adjust based on the mission type.

The Extended Shotgun Mag III is a straightforward but effective mod. It primarily increases the magazine size for Il Toro and Vulcano shotguns, making it easier to handle long waves of enemies. Most players get it through crafting or scavenging and occasionally salvage extras. Its practical benefits are fewer reloads, better crowd control, and consistent damage output.

When planning your mod setup, focus on your weapon preference and mission type. Most players find that combining Extended Shotgun Mag III with other complementary mods provides the best balance between sustained damage and mobility.