Well, now that I am not playing the devil's advocate I have to agree that there is still use for the combat shotgun, although I think many of the shotguns out there today are long overdue for upgrades.
What kind of design features would you want in a Battle-Shotgun?
In my opinion:
First, save the pumps for use with less lethal munitions. In a shootout the bearer shouldn't have to manually chamber a new round. Plus a semi reduces recoil, cutting down on both followup time and fatigue.
Also keep the tubular magazines on the pumps. They are slow to load unless there is a speed-loader, which in itself is bulky and makes the reloading process more complex. On a pump the tube magazine would allow the user to easily switch out the chambered round, a good aspect of a gun used mostly with LtL.
For the semi, a detachable box or rotary magazine is the way to go. Although bulkier, a rotary might be preferable as it prevents rimlock.
Weight is an important factor. There are some real pigs of combat shotguns out there. The weight loaded with a standard magazine should be between 7.5 and 8.75 pounds, in the range of many "carried" hunting shotguns, but still heavy enough to soak up some recoil.
A good solid stock is critical. Many of the collapsable and folding stocks are flimsy or uncomfortable. A good recoil pad is essential. Many shotgun loads produce recoil energy in the range of the .338 Winchester Magnum, with some kicking as much as a .375 H&H!
Since a shotgun both swings best and recoils least if it fits the user well, it would be great if interchangeable different thickness recoil pads were available (as seen in the Browning Cynergy and Franchi I-12).
The barrel should be interchageable like most modern shotguns. The standard length should be ~22" as this is a compromise between a compact weapon and trying to minimise the amount of muzzle blast and flash. Other barrel lengths should be produced as needed. It would be nice if the gun could be equipped with a Poly-Choke like mechanism, as this would allow the shooter to use an open bore for slugs and a choked bore for better buckshot patterns.
A ghost ring sight should be provided, although it should be integrated to provide the least amount of interference to the gun being pointed in an extraneous situation.
These are my views as to what could be done to create a next generation combat shotgun. I am anxious to hear the other posters.
What kind of design features would you want in a Battle-Shotgun?
In my opinion:
First, save the pumps for use with less lethal munitions. In a shootout the bearer shouldn't have to manually chamber a new round. Plus a semi reduces recoil, cutting down on both followup time and fatigue.
Also keep the tubular magazines on the pumps. They are slow to load unless there is a speed-loader, which in itself is bulky and makes the reloading process more complex. On a pump the tube magazine would allow the user to easily switch out the chambered round, a good aspect of a gun used mostly with LtL.
For the semi, a detachable box or rotary magazine is the way to go. Although bulkier, a rotary might be preferable as it prevents rimlock.
Weight is an important factor. There are some real pigs of combat shotguns out there. The weight loaded with a standard magazine should be between 7.5 and 8.75 pounds, in the range of many "carried" hunting shotguns, but still heavy enough to soak up some recoil.
A good solid stock is critical. Many of the collapsable and folding stocks are flimsy or uncomfortable. A good recoil pad is essential. Many shotgun loads produce recoil energy in the range of the .338 Winchester Magnum, with some kicking as much as a .375 H&H!
Since a shotgun both swings best and recoils least if it fits the user well, it would be great if interchangeable different thickness recoil pads were available (as seen in the Browning Cynergy and Franchi I-12).
The barrel should be interchageable like most modern shotguns. The standard length should be ~22" as this is a compromise between a compact weapon and trying to minimise the amount of muzzle blast and flash. Other barrel lengths should be produced as needed. It would be nice if the gun could be equipped with a Poly-Choke like mechanism, as this would allow the shooter to use an open bore for slugs and a choked bore for better buckshot patterns.
A ghost ring sight should be provided, although it should be integrated to provide the least amount of interference to the gun being pointed in an extraneous situation.
These are my views as to what could be done to create a next generation combat shotgun. I am anxious to hear the other posters.
