Shotguns have long history in America

[sm]

http://www.nptelegraph.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=377&dept_id=531812&newsid=15182583&PAG=461&rfi=9

This was on my homepage this morning, I had to share. Now granted much of what is contained in the article has been discussed in one form or another, and most likely will be again.

A couple of snips if I may:

It was a coordinated effort, said to be conceived by General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing. It required soldiers to hit the ground and face both directions in the trench. The first man would quickly empty his shotgun; six rapid fire rounds of buckshot, then fall to the ground. The second shot gunner would repeat the process, followed by a third, fourth, etc. A distinct feature of the Model 1897 was that it had no trigger disconnector so holding down the trigger and simply pumping the action could empty the magazine.

The trench gun, the military model, became so feared by the Germans that they tried to get shotguns "outlawed" for use in combat (and these were the guys using mustard gas)

Now as most folks know, I competed in Skeet and other clay games. I have been chided by many when I share these Clay games, originally designed to make folks better Bird shooters, are IMO very good training for more "Serious Situations".

I use Low 8 for instance to instill in ME a Tueller Drill if you will with a shotgun. I walk in toward the house btw...

Actually I practice walking "in" toward both the High and Low houses station 8.

I do NOT shoot premounted - I shoot from low gun position. Whether it be hunting, clay games or 'whatever'.

GUN FIT to shooter really comes into play when one does NOT shoot premounted, one never knows what they may walk up and into now do we?

Many will recall Aerial Gunners were trained to shoot SKEET - to instill shooting moving "targets".

Here is yet another-

Another use the Americans found for the Model 1897 in World War I was to minimize the effect of German hand grenades. The potato masher was a big target and American soldiers who grew up shooting upland game or waterfowl had no problem hitting a target as big as the German grenade in the air, deflecting its intended flight path and saving many American lives. This technique totally baffled German troops.

Well I have never been in a situation to shoot a Potato Masher Grenade, or any Grenade for that matter. I do know what Slugs and 00 buck will do to an incoming Greenhead. Umm...I 'guess' I forget to check my pockets that morning, I just 'popped' the rear Greenhead, kept pulling forward to the lead Greenhead and "popped" him. Slug then 00. They didn't get away, and no second shots required. Can we say DRT?

I have never attend a Awerbuck course , I hope to someday. Well between Mr. Awerbuck and our own Denny I'm in a heap of trouble.

I'll be the guy with the bone stock pump gun. Maybe Denny can find me some Dove and Greenhead targets...<cups hand to ear> Oh...so "that" is what Awerbuck sounds like when he yells.

Just an interesting article I thought , and wanted to share. Seems the more things change - the more they remain the same.

Shotguns and Shotgunning have always been - always will be a viable tool in the toolbox.

Steve

 

[kudu]

Oh yea!

 

[Dave McC]

Good article, though as you say not new to me.

The article mentions buck and ball loads. These were still in use at Antietam in 1862 by the Irish Brigade, among others. They did frightful execution at Bloody Lane...