During my cybervoyages I've hit lots of BBs and sites about HD and shotguns. There's an amazing amount of misinformation, myths and untruths out there, and I'd like to address these to help folks out and make the world a little safer.
My qualifications include 10 years of teaching part time for the Md Dept of Public Safety. I instructed hundreds of Correctional Officers to shoot, including with shotguns.
MYTH:
You don't have to aim a shotgun.
Only if you don't care if you hit or not, and why shoot at all if that's the case? At 15 feet, the pattern is smaller than a shirt pocket.Tied into this one is the myth that hip shooting can be effective. Maybe, but after shooting hundreds of rounds from the hip(formerly part of the qualification course) I'm using the sights and shooting from the shoulder at anything more than contact range.
MYTH:
A shotgun can be used by anyone effectively.
The only people I saw becoming more than barely proficient(load,fire,etc) were those that liked shotgun and shot recreationally.
A shotgun will NOT substitute for expertise.
MYTH:
A HD shotgun NEEDS lots of accessories and gunsmithing.
Basically, anyone who is proficient only needs an ammo capacity of at least 2 shots and reliability. All the rest of the bells and whistles are nice, but not as crucial as some folks,including dealers and makers, would have you believe.
The best accessory for anyone is lots of ammo. Technology CANNOT substitute for expertise either.And, this melds into the mag extension question....
Extended mags may or may not be a good thing from the capacity standpoint, But, face it, if 4 or 5 rounds of shotgun ammo don't control a situation, probably 6 or 7 won't either. In those scenarios,backup's what is needed, not a deeper ammo stash.
However, there are a coupla advantages to mag extensions besides more beans in the wheel.The extra weight cuts felt recoil,and slugs oft group very much tighter when the bbl is clamped to an extension. In effect, it stiffens the bbl.
MYTH:
A pistol grip instead of a regular stock aids effectiveness.
BULL! We had to train with folders for a while and it was harder for most folks to qualify with the PG setup. And, until we grow hinges in our forearms, it doesn't make the piece more handy.If you're auditioning for Miami Vice II, get a pistol grip. If you want to keep on living, use a full stock. BTW, full stocks with pistol grips seem OK, but offer no advantage I can see.
MYTH:
You need 00 to be effective...
Or 000, or #4 buck, or whatever.
At typical HD ranges, one could load the shells with breath mints and they'd still be lethal. Find what works for you in your use environment and stay with it. A HD pump shotgun can be mix loaded if desired with say, two duck loads up first, then slugs or 00,depending on circumstance.
And, depending on a shotgun/ammo combo and not testing the pattern is kinda useless.
Finally, a shotgun worked by a cool and experienced shooter is perhaps the best tool for HD inside of 25 yards. Shoot safely and often.
Hope this helps, sing out if there's questions, disagreements, or anything else...
My qualifications include 10 years of teaching part time for the Md Dept of Public Safety. I instructed hundreds of Correctional Officers to shoot, including with shotguns.
MYTH:
You don't have to aim a shotgun.
Only if you don't care if you hit or not, and why shoot at all if that's the case? At 15 feet, the pattern is smaller than a shirt pocket.Tied into this one is the myth that hip shooting can be effective. Maybe, but after shooting hundreds of rounds from the hip(formerly part of the qualification course) I'm using the sights and shooting from the shoulder at anything more than contact range.
MYTH:
A shotgun can be used by anyone effectively.
The only people I saw becoming more than barely proficient(load,fire,etc) were those that liked shotgun and shot recreationally.
A shotgun will NOT substitute for expertise.
MYTH:
A HD shotgun NEEDS lots of accessories and gunsmithing.
Basically, anyone who is proficient only needs an ammo capacity of at least 2 shots and reliability. All the rest of the bells and whistles are nice, but not as crucial as some folks,including dealers and makers, would have you believe.
The best accessory for anyone is lots of ammo. Technology CANNOT substitute for expertise either.And, this melds into the mag extension question....
Extended mags may or may not be a good thing from the capacity standpoint, But, face it, if 4 or 5 rounds of shotgun ammo don't control a situation, probably 6 or 7 won't either. In those scenarios,backup's what is needed, not a deeper ammo stash.
However, there are a coupla advantages to mag extensions besides more beans in the wheel.The extra weight cuts felt recoil,and slugs oft group very much tighter when the bbl is clamped to an extension. In effect, it stiffens the bbl.
MYTH:
A pistol grip instead of a regular stock aids effectiveness.
BULL! We had to train with folders for a while and it was harder for most folks to qualify with the PG setup. And, until we grow hinges in our forearms, it doesn't make the piece more handy.If you're auditioning for Miami Vice II, get a pistol grip. If you want to keep on living, use a full stock. BTW, full stocks with pistol grips seem OK, but offer no advantage I can see.
MYTH:
You need 00 to be effective...
Or 000, or #4 buck, or whatever.
At typical HD ranges, one could load the shells with breath mints and they'd still be lethal. Find what works for you in your use environment and stay with it. A HD pump shotgun can be mix loaded if desired with say, two duck loads up first, then slugs or 00,depending on circumstance.
And, depending on a shotgun/ammo combo and not testing the pattern is kinda useless.
Finally, a shotgun worked by a cool and experienced shooter is perhaps the best tool for HD inside of 25 yards. Shoot safely and often.
Hope this helps, sing out if there's questions, disagreements, or anything else...