Shot an interesting match yesterday. The format was 15 steel with your shotgun, ground your shotgun safely and 10 USPSA pistol targets. Slinging the shotgun was out because of many having little shotgun experience. More on that.
I shot my 90's Winchester 1300 Defender with a fiber optic front sight. We loaded five rounds to start and reloaded as necessary. I wore a pouch that you could fit a box of shells into. Some folks had bandoliers or all kinds of plastic round holders on their belts. Problem with the latter is not holding enough rounds. #8 rounds.
Surprisingly, some long time USPSA competitors don't have shotguns and never even fired one. Their life is pop,pop,pop handguns in 9mm. My handgun was a G17.
Takeways, fast reloading is perishable skill - haven't shot the gun since 2019. A couple of fumbles. Hitting the targets - no problem on the poppers, a TX star took a couple of extra. The problems people had was with reloading, dropping rounds, jammed up ramps.
I got the Defender way back when - If I were into it seriously, might go with a semi, however the current market and retirement account says to be cautious. One comment on the gun - the tiny bolt release is pain. Not designed for fast usage.
One guy shot a pistol grip 20 gauge. Silly gun. Lots of racking to scare, don't have to aim crap from the non shotgun shooters. To replay an old debate, if I reach for a long gun for the Zombie attack, it's still my carbine. Blah, blah. If the local bear comes by, maybe the shotgun - very, very low probability of such. Just call the cops.
Still lots of fun. No significant bruises on the shoulder, I know how to settle the gun. One guy fired a 12 gauge and was really knocked back a foot. Laughter ensued. Didn't have it well seated.
We should do that again. I'm going to buy some more 12 gauge snap caps and practice the reload. Have to go in the basement so the wife doesn't yell at me for the rash of clicks.
Nice day in the 70's. Not like my old shooting days in the 100's now ravaging Texas. Biggest pain, hauling everything back into the house and putting the equipment back in the proper place.