Jeff White
New member
Even though the shotgun as a defensive weapon is being eclipsed in many circles by the intermediate rifle caliber carbine, it is still a powerful tool in the hands of a properly trained person and probably the long weapon most likely to be used in a defensive role by the private citizen or patrol officer.
I've just finished Some Of The Answer, Urban Shotgun by Jim Crews. Jim is a noted firearms trainer, but not as well known for his excellent manuals as some of the other instructors/authors. But I found his previous manuals on the carbine and instruction procedures to be excellent. Some Of The Answer, Urban Shotgun is no exception.
The book itself is printed on heavy stock paper with a plastic spiral binding. This allows you to open it flat and the paper is heavy enough that you can take it to the range without having to worry about it falling apart from heavy use. I lke this format because it's easier to use the book as a ready reference in the field or on the range.
Before we get into the content, let me say that: NO ONE CAN LEARN TO USE ANY TYPE OF WEAPON FROM A BOOK. SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES THAT ARE DISCUSSED AND ILLUSTRATED CAN ONLY BE LEARNED ON THE RANGE
The book is 227 pages and it's 31 chapters are illustrated with hundreds of photographs and diagrams. No space is wasted, the inside back cover is a photocopier ready patterning target of the authors own design.
Most popular makes and models of defensive shotguns are covered separately in the areas where the manual of arms or operation are different. Users of the Remington 11-87/1100, Remington 870, Benelli Self Loading Shotgun (although it didn't cover my old M121 model) and Mossberg slide action shotguns will find separate chapters on their weapons. Chapter 3 Weapon System Familiarity, also covers the Winchester slide action.
I found the sections on modifications and accessories to be very interesting. The author is not selling anything here, nor is he advocating hanging all sorts of bells and whistles on your weapon. He's taking what he's seen from years of range experience and telling what works and why it works. Usually there is an illustration with the recommendation, such as the photo on page 176 of the little finger on the support hand that was trapped between the SureFire 870 foreend and the receiver during a multiple hit exercise. It's good to find out these little things now, before you have to rack the slide under stress.
The chapter on patterning with buckshot brought out some interesting things about secondary missiles (polymer pellets, shot cups and wads) at close CQB ranges. I have to admit that I wasn't aware of the danger of those secondary missiles until I read the book.
All sighting systems except optics are covered. In fact about the only addition I would make would be the use of the popular reflex type sights.
The chapters and sections on weapons handling and manipulation are illustrated with "by the numbers" type photos showing every step.
Everything from basic techniques to shooting while moving and transitioning to the handgun is covered. I would recommend this manual to everyone from the novice defensive shooter who is preparing to attend his first class, to the advanced shooter who will find it a handy reference for review and practice. The instructor will find chapter 30 on shotgun target systems handy for fresh ideas to liven up his program.
The manual is available direct from Jim Crews for $39.95. You can order at his website
Marksman's Enterprise
Jeff
I've just finished Some Of The Answer, Urban Shotgun by Jim Crews. Jim is a noted firearms trainer, but not as well known for his excellent manuals as some of the other instructors/authors. But I found his previous manuals on the carbine and instruction procedures to be excellent. Some Of The Answer, Urban Shotgun is no exception.
The book itself is printed on heavy stock paper with a plastic spiral binding. This allows you to open it flat and the paper is heavy enough that you can take it to the range without having to worry about it falling apart from heavy use. I lke this format because it's easier to use the book as a ready reference in the field or on the range.
Before we get into the content, let me say that: NO ONE CAN LEARN TO USE ANY TYPE OF WEAPON FROM A BOOK. SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES THAT ARE DISCUSSED AND ILLUSTRATED CAN ONLY BE LEARNED ON THE RANGE
The book is 227 pages and it's 31 chapters are illustrated with hundreds of photographs and diagrams. No space is wasted, the inside back cover is a photocopier ready patterning target of the authors own design.
Most popular makes and models of defensive shotguns are covered separately in the areas where the manual of arms or operation are different. Users of the Remington 11-87/1100, Remington 870, Benelli Self Loading Shotgun (although it didn't cover my old M121 model) and Mossberg slide action shotguns will find separate chapters on their weapons. Chapter 3 Weapon System Familiarity, also covers the Winchester slide action.
I found the sections on modifications and accessories to be very interesting. The author is not selling anything here, nor is he advocating hanging all sorts of bells and whistles on your weapon. He's taking what he's seen from years of range experience and telling what works and why it works. Usually there is an illustration with the recommendation, such as the photo on page 176 of the little finger on the support hand that was trapped between the SureFire 870 foreend and the receiver during a multiple hit exercise. It's good to find out these little things now, before you have to rack the slide under stress.
The chapter on patterning with buckshot brought out some interesting things about secondary missiles (polymer pellets, shot cups and wads) at close CQB ranges. I have to admit that I wasn't aware of the danger of those secondary missiles until I read the book.
All sighting systems except optics are covered. In fact about the only addition I would make would be the use of the popular reflex type sights.
The chapters and sections on weapons handling and manipulation are illustrated with "by the numbers" type photos showing every step.
Everything from basic techniques to shooting while moving and transitioning to the handgun is covered. I would recommend this manual to everyone from the novice defensive shooter who is preparing to attend his first class, to the advanced shooter who will find it a handy reference for review and practice. The instructor will find chapter 30 on shotgun target systems handy for fresh ideas to liven up his program.
The manual is available direct from Jim Crews for $39.95. You can order at his website
Marksman's Enterprise
Jeff
