Preparing for Awerbucks Tactical Shotgun I(or evalute my shotgun and me)

[SapperLeader]

I signed up for Lousis Awerbucks Tactical Shotgun Course I, being offered through Quantico Shooting Club, this September 5,6 and 7. I already own two 870s, and will be bringing both to the course. The first 870 is my serious gun and is the one I intend to shoot, and the other is my gp bonestock 870(28inch barrel), that will reprise the backup role.

My serious 870 is a hd model with the 18.5 barrel, and a +2 extension. It has a surefire weapons light on it, a sidesaddle and a buttcuff(being discussed in another thread). I ordered a houge overmolded 12 lop stock and new limbsaver pad. I feel fairly comfortable on the hardware aspects, but have two questions for anybody who has taken the course before.

Is a method of carrying ammo neccesary and/or desirable? If it is, what method did you use(vest, belt, pouches, etc.)

Sighting Systems - I have a simple bead, painted orange. Can a bead cut it in this course for the slugwork. Im sure ghost rings are awesome sights, but dont want to pay the money for them, if I dont have too. I will if neccesary, but am wondering if the bead will suffice. For anybody recommonding to stick with the bead, what color do you paint yours. The orange works fine in low light, but dissapears when looking into the sun. Should I repaint the bead, yellow, green, or go with a entirely new color or sight system.

Besides all this hardware stuff, I am going to the range weekly to practice loading and shooting, and working on slug select drills. Im also practing my mounts and odd shooting positions with snapcaps at home along wit hsimply holding the gun up for long periods of time. Any thoughts or methods I should work on software wise, or suggestions about changes to my hardware would be appreaciated. Thanks

[Correia]

I've never taken Awerbuck's class, but from my personal background, I would think that having some sort of system to hold your shells would be very important. Having the shells always consistently in the same place and facing the same direction will drastically speed up your load time.

[Denny Hansen]

I've been through several of Louis' courses and what you have described should work just fine. One thing you will want to add, however, is a sling as you will perform transition drills with your handgun. Transitions can be done without a sling, but it complicates what should be a simple technique.

The bead sight will work. I'd suggest white for the color. We had two shooters using bead sights at the YFA class I hosted last year at my range and both were surprised when they made hits at 75 yards--Louis wasn't.

A dump pouch attached to your belt will let you have extra ammo with you and helps to keep the class running smoothly. For this class, I like the one from 3-Gun Gear, but any pouch capable of carrying a box or two of extra shells will work. Work out a system in which you keep the shot rounds away from the slug rounds. You do NOT want to send a slug into a steel target at close range. Your butt cuff should work for this.

Take plenty of water to the range. Take some aspirin or IBU and self-medicate in the morning. The shotgun is a heavy weapon and you will be holding it at the ready postion a lot. You will be more inclined to learn if you are not thinking about sore muscles--and they will be sore!

Louis is a fantastic instructor. Expect to learn more about the shotgun than you ever could have imagined.

www.yfainc.com
www.3gungear.com

Denny

[Dave Williams]

And I used a cheap surplus gas mask bag in my shotgun class for carrying my birdshot. Worked great.

I wanted to take this class in August in IN but it isn't looking good money wise.

Dave Williams

[Average Guy]

When I took a tactical SG class, I took all my accessories with me--but didn't put them on right away. I asked a lot of questions, got a lot of opinions, shot the course, and then decided what might be helpful. 'Cause if it don't work...

The aftermarket heat shield was the first thing to come off. :)

[Lee Lapin]

An e- friend went to several of Awerbuck's classes in the late 90's and wrote them up online. Here's his review of the shotgun class:

http://www.no-treason.com/laissezfirearm/shotgun.htm

HTH,

lpl/nc

(and I can't TELL you how much I envy you- every time I get geared up for one of the diminuitive African's classes my world spins off its axis)

[9mmMike]

Lee,
I know that you did not write that stuff but do you know what was meant by,

Louie's preferred way of rapidly ditching the shotgun favors the traditional sling setup. The two guys with rear swivels mounted on the bottom of their standard stocks' pistol grips enjoyed some embarassing moments with this drill. Awerbuck sez that he is still waiting to hear one good reason for going to this arrangement on any long gun that does not have a folding stock

...in those articles? My own 870 is set up like this and although I rarely attach the sling, I did use it this way in a shotgun class that I took. I had no troubles with transitions and in fact if you carry muzzle down it gives you a nice cushion between the mud and your bore. Muzzle up is as normal.

I would dearly like to know the dangers or "embarassing moments" that might be a result of this type of setup.

Anyone with an opinion?

Sorry for the highjack.

Mike

[Lee Lapin]

My only info on Awerbuck's shotgun-to-sidearm transition comes from watching his video. He is VERY brisk about flipping the shotgun over the head and weak side arm/shoulder and then drawing the strong side sidearm. Since mounting a swivel attachment at the bottom of the standard-stock pistol grip shortens the distance between the swivels and the working length of the sling, I imagine the hapless students described swatted themselves in the head with their shotguns while attempting this transition.

Unfortunately Mark Penman isn't with us any more so it's not possible to ask him for clarification.

HTH,

lpl/nc

[SapperLeader]

Thanks everybody for the input!
As for ammo carriers, Im going to email Mr. Awerbuck first for his opinions on slings and ammo carriers, but Im leaning towards somestuff from that 3 gun gear website(thanks for the link Denny ). I had seen thier stuff a while back, but had lost the link. Im thinking the dump bag for birdshot/buckshot, and 2 5 slot (or 1 10 slot) belt holder for the slugs might be a good combo. That would give me ammo carriers for up to 50 bird/buck shells, and 10 slugs on my body.

As for the physical preperations for the course, Im not too concerned. Im fairly physically active, and have 6 years of military training so Im very used to bruises, muscles aches and being yelled at. I will be practicing my mounts and just holding the shotgun up to build up some endurance. I will definitly be bringing my camelback and lunches, and will probally pop some asprin as a preventive measure.

Denny - I wasnt aware that tactical shotgun I had handgun transitions. I knew that the level II course taught this, but though I was shotgun only. Not a big issue, as I own handguns and can certainly bring one if neccessary. Thanks for the heads up though!

Lee - thanks for the link to the review. I hope you get the chance to take a course with Mr. Awerbuck. I have been dying to take one since I first read a review in SWAT, plus I always enjoy reading Mr. Awerbucks columns.

Once again, thanks everybody for the input. Im really excitied about this course, and want to make sure Im as well prepared as I can be.