Do people really beeline to kill four hordes to get the SMP horde version?

[A]

2nd playthrough and on Survival, been looking at people's recommendations for early game guns because I might have slept on non-automatic guns. People are basically saying the SMP horde version is something they rush.

How do people actually fight a horde this early and without saddlebags for replenishment nor ammo sustainability? I just arrived at the hotsprings.

[WeirdScienceX]

Yep, I always get it early now after I saw a guide from Spawnicus Rex

There are several places on the map with spawnable items like attractors, grenades, mines

https://youtu.be/eqyJ1PR47H8?si=B2SyR9ZOln-y6_V-

[Zoot_Allures]

I got it as a reward after killing the horde mission, had 3 other hordes I didn't get credit for until after that mission.

[Nyet Diem]

Don't know about making a beeline for it. I usually wait until I've built up a small stash of frags/molotovs and slowly take them out as they become available. Pretty easily done by the time you find Lisa. Should have it by the time you make it to the 3rd area, in my opinion.

But yes, having the SMP early on is an absolute game changer for a basic NG (not NG+).