I'm just wondering if anyone knows what level one must be to get a combat shotgun?

Thank you

Around level 10, if I remember correctly. When I found one for the first time in my first game it was with the weapon seller in DC. It will be around level 15 when stronger NPCs will start to use it. But it can be bought earlier.

The weapon sellers are random too, so he might have one, or not, You can also try the weapon shop in Goodneighbour, and a traveling weapon dealer named Cricket.

Around level 10-15. You can get them pretty early on in the game.

Thanks you both!

ahh I got one off a raider at concord, it was a raider veteran with a skull next to name, but there really is no level requirement.

There's one with a unique name that you can pick up whenever you get to it, but that location is probably pretty dangerous at low levels.

if you are Lucky and stumble into criket you might buy one earlier but usually it is around level 10 when the first vendors or bodd npcs drop or sell ot