I know shotguns have always been used in combat. How were extra rounds carried in Vietnam and later conflicts. I have seen 12 and 20 round shotgun shell belt pouches offered for sale to fit web belts, but none have been "\GI issue" so I don't know if some version of them were used. Thanks for any info.
How do military shotgunners carry extra ammo?
- Thread starter Ed2000
- Start date
Vang Comper
Moderator
Shotguns themselves were never GI issue, so they have no GI products fro them. If one wanted to bring a shotgun to war there was no problems with it. I sure as hell would have.
swampgator
New member
IIRC most shotgun shells that I saw, mostly buck shot, were issued in the standard 5 rd boxes.
Most probably just shoved a couple boxes in the web gear pouches.
Most probably just shoved a couple boxes in the web gear pouches.
The M-1956 Universal Ammunition Pouch was designed to carry most types of small arms ammunition and magazines in use, including 12 gauge ammunition. It was said that 20-25 12 gauge rounds could be carried in 1 pouch.
I have read that those carrying shotguns in Vietnam also used Claymore antipersonnel mine bags (cotton two pocket bags) for carrying loose shells and boxes of shells in. I do not know what troops currently have used to carry shells. Possibly the 12 round nylon pouches. Never have seen a belt or bandolier used for carrying them, but recall a story during Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989) that one Delta Force operator had a bandolier of shotgun shells during an operation to rescue an American civilian from a police prison. Otherwise, I don't know of anything else used.
I have read that those carrying shotguns in Vietnam also used Claymore antipersonnel mine bags (cotton two pocket bags) for carrying loose shells and boxes of shells in. I do not know what troops currently have used to carry shells. Possibly the 12 round nylon pouches. Never have seen a belt or bandolier used for carrying them, but recall a story during Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989) that one Delta Force operator had a bandolier of shotgun shells during an operation to rescue an American civilian from a police prison. Otherwise, I don't know of anything else used.
AndrewWalkowiak
New member
I have some OD military looking 12ga pouches with LC clips that hold 12 shells each. I got them a few years ago from Tapco or Cheaper Than Dirt, but I forget which.
It's about 8" long, 4" high, and mounts the long way with the 2 LC clips aligned with the short direction, and closes with 2 metal snaps. The shells are held inside by two rows of black elastic loops, the front (inside of the outside) row is offset about 1" lower than the row against the side with the LC clips.
No US or NATO markings, other than a tag that says Atlanco Products (made in USA). No idea if it's mil-spec or even issue, but seems sturdy and nicely made.
A google search shows they have a website www.atlanco.com
No pic or listing of this item, just shots of thier current catalog.
FWIW,
Andrew
It's about 8" long, 4" high, and mounts the long way with the 2 LC clips aligned with the short direction, and closes with 2 metal snaps. The shells are held inside by two rows of black elastic loops, the front (inside of the outside) row is offset about 1" lower than the row against the side with the LC clips.
No US or NATO markings, other than a tag that says Atlanco Products (made in USA). No idea if it's mil-spec or even issue, but seems sturdy and nicely made.
A google search shows they have a website www.atlanco.com
No pic or listing of this item, just shots of thier current catalog.
FWIW,
Andrew
In the USAF, I had an issue card for a Rem 870, took 7 rounds (we used 00 buck), & had a bayonet lug on it - mean lookin' sucker. Normal duty, never were issued any other shells other than what topped off the tube for crusier ready. "Other duty," I filled my right front pocket with another tube's worth.
In any event, & reagardless whether any shotgun was mil-issued, I'd like to see/understand a few more options regards having a few extra shells handy & about my person.
Worse case using any of my 12s for HD (just grabbing whatever, I'd "luck out" by snatchin' the one with the 2+ plug ... ) ...
What's the "best/most efficient" method of having an extra 5, or so, shells at the ready - above & beyond what may be in any tube/mag length?
Worse case using any of my 12s for HD (just grabbing whatever, I'd "luck out" by snatchin' the one with the 2+ plug ... ) ...
What's the "best/most efficient" method of having an extra 5, or so, shells at the ready - above & beyond what may be in any tube/mag length?
Southeast Asia in 1970 had lots of unofficial shotguns,and extra ammo was carried in a multitude of ways. Even saw some taped to the buttstock.
I've some 12 round pouches from those times, and recall some MTM belt carriers in OD that held 10 with a flip top. In civilian life later saw MTM with a 5 round version, never have seen the 10.
Also saw ChiCom SKS/AK bandolier vests with shotgun ammo, GIs are wonderful at adapting stuff.
As for extra ammo now, when I pick up my HD 870 there's 10 rounds on or in it. 5 rounds in a 6 shot mag, and 5 rounds in the Side Saddle. Had to crop one round's worth because of the peep sight.
I've some 12 round pouches from those times, and recall some MTM belt carriers in OD that held 10 with a flip top. In civilian life later saw MTM with a 5 round version, never have seen the 10.
Also saw ChiCom SKS/AK bandolier vests with shotgun ammo, GIs are wonderful at adapting stuff.
As for extra ammo now, when I pick up my HD 870 there's 10 rounds on or in it. 5 rounds in a 6 shot mag, and 5 rounds in the Side Saddle. Had to crop one round's worth because of the peep sight.
jimsbowies
New member
SE Asia
I toted an old Ithaca 37 in IV Corps....I taped shells to the buttstock and carried a dozen or so extras in M16 clip pouches...two or three to each pouch...worked just fine....
I toted an old Ithaca 37 in IV Corps....I taped shells to the buttstock and carried a dozen or so extras in M16 clip pouches...two or three to each pouch...worked just fine....
I spent 6 years (94-00) in the Marine Corps. In that 6 years, here's who I saw carrying shotguns:
MPs - In cruiser.
My SgtMaj in Bosnia. Told the armorer where to stick the M9
Force Recon - With pistol grip. Attached to pack, not primary weapon. Used for breaching. Didn't see any spare ammo.
TRAP force 26th MEU - ACE emergency recovery personnel had one for blasting the radio closet if necessary. No spare ammo. That never made sense to me since the GCE brought demo for the same purpose.
I never saw an issue ammo pouch for shotguns. The Marine Corps doesn't use shotguns as fighting weapons, only tools. I suspect that the AF might have pouches for them as they seem to use them more frequently. Not sure about the Army. Never saw any Navy guys with a shotgun.
MPs - In cruiser.
My SgtMaj in Bosnia. Told the armorer where to stick the M9
Force Recon - With pistol grip. Attached to pack, not primary weapon. Used for breaching. Didn't see any spare ammo.
TRAP force 26th MEU - ACE emergency recovery personnel had one for blasting the radio closet if necessary. No spare ammo. That never made sense to me since the GCE brought demo for the same purpose.
I never saw an issue ammo pouch for shotguns. The Marine Corps doesn't use shotguns as fighting weapons, only tools. I suspect that the AF might have pouches for them as they seem to use them more frequently. Not sure about the Army. Never saw any Navy guys with a shotgun.
"Never saw any Navy guys with a shotgun"
My dad is a retired destroyer sailer. The first time he saw my Mossy 500, he commented "that's one of those riot guns like we had on the ship". Loaded with 00 buck, they were used for repelling boarders, boarding and searching other ships, and shooting skeet to keep the anti-aircraft skills honed.
AKAIK, they just stuck extra shells in their pockets or whatever pouches were convenient. I don't think that they considered more than a few shots necessary when you had 5" and 40mms to back you up.
I just bought a nice black nylon 5 rd butt cuff and a black 12 rd belt pouch from Cheaper than dirt. Combined with the 7 in the tube, it's gotta be more than plenty for anything I'll need a 12ga. for.
My dad is a retired destroyer sailer. The first time he saw my Mossy 500, he commented "that's one of those riot guns like we had on the ship". Loaded with 00 buck, they were used for repelling boarders, boarding and searching other ships, and shooting skeet to keep the anti-aircraft skills honed.
AKAIK, they just stuck extra shells in their pockets or whatever pouches were convenient. I don't think that they considered more than a few shots necessary when you had 5" and 40mms to back you up.
I just bought a nice black nylon 5 rd butt cuff and a black 12 rd belt pouch from Cheaper than dirt. Combined with the 7 in the tube, it's gotta be more than plenty for anything I'll need a 12ga. for.
In VietNam (1970) as a PRC-25 radio operator I liked the idea of carrying a 12 ga. and since I had a choice that's what I carried. It was a Remingtom 870 with an 18 or 20 inch barrel. As for hauling the ammo for it, I took the gas mask out of it's bag and used that bag for 12 ga and a few extra .45 ammo mags loaded. I learned that from the man I replaced, and it worked pretty good for me. Thirteen months later I passed the idea on to my replacement also.
As for using those Chicom ammo pouches (!), Marines had no use for them other than take 'em home for trophies. I learned early to shoot at the pouches since they were located center-mass on the bad guys. Lots of time those pouches on NVA dead had exploded from inside out. After seeing that once no squad leader with any sense would have let any of our guys use that stuff.
As for using those Chicom ammo pouches (!), Marines had no use for them other than take 'em home for trophies. I learned early to shoot at the pouches since they were located center-mass on the bad guys. Lots of time those pouches on NVA dead had exploded from inside out. After seeing that once no squad leader with any sense would have let any of our guys use that stuff.
HUH?
When was he in the Navy? I cant remember the name of the things (Navy guys help me here) but they look like R2D2 on Star Wars and Cuba Gooding Jr ain't sitting behind them with his feet in stirrups blasting away. They track and fire on targets automatically and make one hell of a racket. I'm pretty sure they've been around since the early '70s, but I could be wrong. I was in diapers then.
Just because I never saw any Navy guys with Muskets doesn't mean they never had those either. But I was under the impression we were talking about more recent times.
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Just remembered...
They called it the Sea Whiz.
I was asleep in the back of my plane just forward of the island on the USS Wasp. They announced that they were test firing the thing on the 1MC, and like any good jarhead, I ignored it. That thing went off and I jumped out of my hammock so fast I nearly cracked my skull on the roof of the plane. One of the ships ordnancemen later told me, "When God farts, that's what it sounds like."
They called it the Sea Whiz.
I was asleep in the back of my plane just forward of the island on the USS Wasp. They announced that they were test firing the thing on the 1MC, and like any good jarhead, I ignored it. That thing went off and I jumped out of my hammock so fast I nearly cracked my skull on the roof of the plane. One of the ships ordnancemen later told me, "When God farts, that's what it sounds like."
Mo_Zam_Beek
New member
What's the "best/most efficient" method of having an extra 5, or so, shells at the ready - above & beyond what may be in any tube/mag length?
Lets talk Mossy:
1 in chamber
5 in tube
6 in side saddle
4 in Speedfeed stock
2 in tube extension from www.vangcomp.com
Total: 18
Need more: SAW pouch on your waist holds roughly 30 rounds.
Lets talk Mossy:
1 in chamber
5 in tube
6 in side saddle
4 in Speedfeed stock
2 in tube extension from www.vangcomp.com
Total: 18
Need more: SAW pouch on your waist holds roughly 30 rounds.
" I cant remember the name of the things but they look like R2D2 on Star Wars ..."
I think you're talking about the "Phalanx Close-In Weapons System" or "Sea Wiz" for short.
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/weapons/wep-phal.html
Yea, my dad was in way before those. In his day, practice off the fantail with a shotgun actually taught the guys some skills they were going to use.
I think you're talking about the "Phalanx Close-In Weapons System" or "Sea Wiz" for short.
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/weapons/wep-phal.html
Yea, my dad was in way before those. In his day, practice off the fantail with a shotgun actually taught the guys some skills they were going to use.