Panzerschwein
member
In recent years, you might have become aware of the huge increase in Law Enforcement use of AR-15 tactical carbines and rifles. It has to a large extent become the de facto LE longarm.
But as well all know, the 12 gauge pump-action tube-fed shotgun has been used succesfully by law enforcement and the military for decades. The pump shotgun is still popular for use with less-lethal ammunition such as bean bags and other things in LE hands, but for the purposes of actually duking it out with lethal force with bad guys, it has given way to the modern .223/5.56mm rifles like the AR-15. Semi-automatic shotguns are also getting quite popular these days for departments who still issue shotguns.
The U.S. military has been a user of pump-action combat shotguns since before the first World War, and there use was met with measurable success throughout the 20th century. But today, it seems most of our troops use shotguns not for direct combat, but as tools for opening doors and other tasks. Most of today's "combat shotguns" used by the military aren't actually used for fighting. There are exceptions, but mostly the M4 and other similair carbines are now heavily used for room-to-room engagements etc. etc.
So, what are the reasons for this? Are the days of the fighting pump shotgun over or almost over? I am asking mostly about usage in LE and .mil circles, not for civillian home defense etc. and am not talking about less-lethal pump shotgun options.
Let the discussion begin!
But as well all know, the 12 gauge pump-action tube-fed shotgun has been used succesfully by law enforcement and the military for decades. The pump shotgun is still popular for use with less-lethal ammunition such as bean bags and other things in LE hands, but for the purposes of actually duking it out with lethal force with bad guys, it has given way to the modern .223/5.56mm rifles like the AR-15. Semi-automatic shotguns are also getting quite popular these days for departments who still issue shotguns.
The U.S. military has been a user of pump-action combat shotguns since before the first World War, and there use was met with measurable success throughout the 20th century. But today, it seems most of our troops use shotguns not for direct combat, but as tools for opening doors and other tasks. Most of today's "combat shotguns" used by the military aren't actually used for fighting. There are exceptions, but mostly the M4 and other similair carbines are now heavily used for room-to-room engagements etc. etc.
So, what are the reasons for this? Are the days of the fighting pump shotgun over or almost over? I am asking mostly about usage in LE and .mil circles, not for civillian home defense etc. and am not talking about less-lethal pump shotgun options.
Let the discussion begin!