Teaching the kids about the scattergun

[Lon]

Spent a couple hours today teaching the shotgun to some police cadets. Of the 26 cadets only a handful had any idea how to run a shotgun. All our shotguns are 870s. Many were skeptical about the utility of the shotgun. Most were more interested about rifles, which we don’t cover in the academy. Once we got out and I did a pattern test to show them what a good shotgun rd can do they got a bit more interested. But some were just downright scared of the scattergun.

I patterned 2 different 00 loads out of a 14” cylinder bore 870. The Flight control 8 pellet rd was, as usual, very impressive. All the way out to 25 yards the pellets stayed within the preferred scoring area of an OPOTC target. What surprised me was the pattern on the Fiocchi Exacta 00 load. All the pellets stayed on the target (although not in the preferred area) out to 20 yards. 25 yards saw a few flyers.

A few things were reinforced. Blackhawk Knoxx collapsing stocks suck. Most shotgun stocks are too long. MP stocks are pretty nice. And Vang Comp’d shotguns kick ass.

[SamueL]

Most were more interested about rifles

Isn't that the truth!

I have guys who won't touch a shotgun like it's the plague. I even offered them ammo to practice.

[RevolverRob]

These guys aren't playing the right video games. Everyone knows that the shotgun is where it's at in most first-person shooters.
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If someone gave me free ammo, I'd shoot it. In any caliber/platform. I love free ammo.

[Unobtanium]

These guys aren't playing the right video games. Everyone knows that the shotgun is where it's at in most first-person shooters.
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If someone gave me free ammo, I'd shoot it. In any caliber/platform. I love free ammo.

I hate to bring it up, but yeah. Battlefield 1 and 4, it's what I roll with unless it's a "distance" map. A short brapppp from an SMG vs. 1 round from the SG always loses it seems. Infuriating to fill a guy in with 3-5 rounds and he gets ONE at you and you're done. So eventually you join 'em with the damn thing, lol

[Joe in PNG]

Back in the days of my yooth, I went on my first hunting trip packing a vintage SMLE #4 MkI*. I also missed my first deer with the said rifle.
My uncle suggested I use his very nice Browning Auto 5, a gun I was frightened of, because of the massive kick such a gun would have.
Yeah, like a .303 with steel butt plate didn't recoil like a mule kick...

Anyway, took a shot with the Browning, and liked it. Never did see another deer that trip.

[BN]

When running officers through shotgun qualification, I always use my oldest most shot up target sticks for the shotgun targets.

[Hambo]

Spent a couple hours today teaching the shotgun to some police cadets. Of the 26 cadets only a handful had any idea how to run a shotgun. All our shotguns are 870s. Many were skeptical about the utility of the shotgun. Most were more interested about rifles, which we don’t cover in the academy. Once we got out and I did a pattern test to show them what a good shotgun rd can do they got a bit more interested. But some were just downright scared of the scattergun.

In my childhood I learned from Reed and Malloy that when you were going to get serious you grabbed the Ithaca 37. I also hunted with all manner of shotguns from an early age. Different generation with different influences and experiences (or lack of experiences).

This video was recently on SSD and about halfway through he talks about how it used to be with shotguns in LE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=LLSeNid5fGQ

[RevolverRob]

In my childhood I learned from Reed and Malloy that when you were going to get serious you grabbed the Ithaca 37. I also hunted with all manner of shotguns from an early age. Different generation with different influences and experiences (or lack of experiences).

I learned the same. Although I was watching Reed and Malloy on Nick-At-Nite...

On a more serious note, I've seen a lot of shotgun-shy folks. I guess it comes from the Hollywood portrayal of shotguns as kicking like mules. Since I grew up hunting with shotguns, I've never been real recoil shy. But my dad did start me on a .410, before I moved to a 16 and then a 12 as I got bigger. And I admit some guns are far worse than others. Like no one will EVER convince me to shoot a damn Beretta 1201FP ever again. A buddy gave me one loaded with standard buckshot to try at the range one time. Two shots from that and I was D-O-N-E. - This is also why I'm a little shy around inertia operated guns in general, but at least the Benellis with comfortech stocks are shootable. The 1201FP weighs about 6 pounds loaded - It's a nasty kicker.

[deputyG23]

When running officers through shotgun qualification, I always use my oldest most shot up target sticks for the shotgun targets.

And target backers that are nearly unserviceable.

[BN]

And target backers that are nearly unserviceable.

Sound like you have been there.