shotguns

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US Weapons Being Sent To Ukraine

March 17, 2022 by 2 Comments

After the President of Ukraine spoke to Congress, President Joe Biden announced another $800 million in weapons and other security assistance to Ukraine. There was one thing in the list that kind of struck me as interesting. See if you can find it.

The new $800 million assistance package includes:

800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;

2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems;

100 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;

100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;

Over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds;

25,000 sets of body armor; and

25,000 helmets.

Since I don’t think the Ukrainian Army nor its Territorial Army are yet ready to engage in trench warfare, I’m wondering a bit about those 400 shotguns.

Given it is Biden, I surely hope he doesn’t expect the Ukrainians to take his advice on “self-defense” with a shotgun from his Vice-Presidential days.

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Human Technology – A Film From Beretta

September 30, 2019 by 2 Comments

P. Beretta is the world’s oldest continually operating firearms company. They trace their history back to 1526 making arquebus barrels. Their products range from the ultra-utilitarian Beretta 92 series of handguns to exquisitely beautiful double shotguns.

A few years ago they produced a short film illustrating the interface between high technology and hand craftmanship in their high end shotguns. It was exceedingly well done and perfect to watch on a Monday morning.

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How A Browning Auto-5 Works

September 2, 2019 by 1 Comment
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I came across this interesting animation of how the Browning Auto-5 shotgun works. It would also show how the Remington Model 11 and Savage 720/745 shotguns work. Interestingly, there were two Japanese made clones of the Auto-5 that were introduced in the 1970s: the Auto Pointer by Yamamoto of Tokyo and Herter’s SL-18.

I have a FN labeled Auto-5 in 16 gauge that was my father-in-law’s. I think he picked it up at an auction minus its stock. One of these days I’m going to get it restocked.

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I Have A Thing For 16 Gauge

April 11, 2019 by

And Stevens has the thing for me!

Stevens by Savage just announced they will be importing their Model 555 and Model 555 Enhanced in 16 gauge from Turkey. They had previously offered these in 12 and 20 gauge.

From their release:

Get the performance and style of the
Stevens 555 Enhanced in a new 16-gauge model. Its light aluminum receiver is
scaled to gauge and incorporates a steel insert that reinforces the breech,
minimizing weight and maximizing strength. The fast-handling over-and-under
boasts upgrades including an Imperial walnut stock and fore-end, auto shell
ejector, and a silver, scroll-engraved filigree ornament receiver. Standard
features include a manual safety and a single, selective mechanical trigger—all
at a price that’s unmatched among comparable shotguns.
FEATURES:
•    New 16-gauge model
•    Auto
ejectors
•    Imperial walnut stock
•    Silver, scroll-engraved filigree ornament
•    Five interchangeable chokes
•    Lightweight aluminum receiver
•    Single selective mechanical triggers
•    Chrome-lined barrels
•    Tang-mounted safety

The Stevens 555 Enhanced comes in at 6.45 lbs, has 28 inch barrels, and is made by Kofs of Turkey.

MSRP for the Enhanced version is $879 and the non-engraved blued version is $705. That’s a lot of gun for the price given that most over-under shotguns start at over $1,000 and go up from there.

As to why I have a love for the 16 gauge, I just do. It is a classic gauge that has fallen out of favor and I think that is part of its appeal to me.

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Clint Smith On A Shotgun Versus Pistol For Home Defense

January 18, 2015 by 5 Comments

Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch is one of the most highly respected trainers in the industry. In the NSSF video below, he discusses the use of a pistol versus a shotgun for home defense.

Often, the shotgun is downgraded as a home defense tool due to its length and the thought that an intruder could grab the barrel. As Clint shows in the video, the difference in length between a properly presented handgun and a shotgun is not that great. That said, regardless of the weapon used, you need to train as Grant Cunningham makes clear in this post.

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Strong Hand Tactical Shotgun Reloads

February 11, 2013 by 3 Comments

There is always the argument about whether nature or nurture is more important. However, that argument is moot when you are dealing with pro-shooter Lena Michulek. That is because she is the daughter of champion shooters Jerry Michulek and Kay Clark Michulek. She has both good genes and good training.

This shows in the video below in which she shows how to quickly perform a strong hand tactical reload of a shotgun – and then proceeds to quickly knock down five plate targets. I like her reload technique and plan to get some dummy rounds to practice it.

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You Can Learn Something From Cowboy Action Shooting

December 7, 2012 by 2 Comments

I’ve never participated in cowboy action shooting but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn something from it. In one of the most recent shooting tips videos put out by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Jim “Long Hunter” Finch shows some single and double loading techniques for a pump shotgun. While Jim is using a Winchester Model 97, his techniques would work just as well with a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870.

Even if your pump shotgun has an extra long extension tube and you have 7 or 9 shells in the tube, these techniques could be invaluable if you need to switch from buckshot to slugs or vice-versa. I’m no expert but it just makes sense to me to practice some of these techniques regardless of whether you are using the shotgun for hunting or self-defense.

UPDATE: It occurred to me early this morning that if you are trying to load the shotgun while you have a full tube, there are other techniques you have to add in to prevent the round(s) in the tube from loading.

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If Society Disintegrates, I Want One Of These

November 14, 2012 by 7 Comments

Back during the Vietnam War, USAF Security Police, Marines and Navy SEALs often used shotguns with “duck bill” spreader choke devices. The device would cause the shot to spread out in a wide horizontal pattern. It was designed to be used with No. 4 shot. An example is shown below.

This duck bill spreader device had a couple of faults. First, the openings would catch in jungle vegetation. Second, they had a tendency to crack after extensive use.

Paradigm SRP has just released their own versions of the spreader choke that they call the Gator Shotgun Spreader. Unlike the Vietnam-era chokes, it can be used with both No. 4 and 00 buckshot. Moreover, they make one version that will screw into shotgun barrels that use screw-in chokes and another version that can used with the Saiga shotgun. Neither version needs to be welded on unlike the earlier Vietnam-era spreaders. Both versions are door-breaching capable and will spread shot six feet wide at 12 yards.

The screw-in version is priced at $179 while the Saiga version is $199. The screw-in version will work with a variety of shotguns and are threaded to fit specific choke systems from Remington, Winchester, Benelli, and Beretta. A portion of the Gator profits will go the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.

If society ever breaks down to the point where we might defend ourselves against roving hoards of mutant zombie bikers, I could see the utility in having one of these. That said, until then, I wouldn’t want to have to defend its use in court of law, castle doctrine or no castle doctrine.

Videos are available of the device in action on Paradigm SRP’s Facebook page.

H/T Soldier Systems