James Yeager on Shotguns

[JCooperfan1911]

I’ve been watching some James Yeager videos on fighting shotguns and in one he speaks about accesories:



I really think that’s a useful setup. James focuses on simplicity and practicality when it come to shotguns. I tend to agree, and think too many people try and make them into a clumsy rifle. He recommends a single point sling as during his classes he has seen a number of students have their 2-point slings interior with working the pump.

Yeager is a bead man, who recommends XS Big Dot tritium front bead mods. A mounted light (mandatory for a defensive shotgun IMHO), Velcro shot card, +2 factory magazine extension, and Magpul SGA stock round out the rig.

I am for sure going to try out a single point sling as a dedicated retention device for home defense. I understand they aren’t ideal for running around with the gun but I think for just securing the shotgun to a user to prevent disarmament during a home invasion scenario it could be very practical, and will not get in the way of operating the pump.

Just figured I’d share. James is a polarizing guy but I think his blunt attitude, sound advice, and fierce defense of the 2nd Amendment make him a cool dude. I like him.

 

[12Bravo20]

I agree that a light is a good thing to have. Since there is not easy solution for mounting a light to any 410 shotgun, I ended up using a universal clamp on rail and a pistol light on my Shockwave. I need to find a velcro card for rifle rounds that the 410 shells will fit into.

And you are absolutely correct that a single point sling is terrible if you have to move rapidly. But they will definitely help keep someone from disarming you.

Here is a photo of how I mounted the light to my Shockwave. It definitely is not the best solution but it works.

 

[Cvans]

I would think the light would make a good target. Your thoughts please?

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I would think the light would make a good target. Your thoughts please?

I'm not going to be shooting at anything I can't identify. Great way to accidently harm an innocent.

 

[jmorris]

really think that’s a useful setup. James focuses on simplicity and practicality when it come to shotguns. I tend to agree, and think too many people try and make them into a clumsy rifle. He recommends a single point sling as during his classes he has seen a number of students have their 2-point slings interior with working the pump.

I am not an “Operator” but I am of the “simple” shotgun mind too, not a lot of slings on mine, single point or otherwise, even fewer on pump shotguns.

 

[12Bravo20]

I am not an “Operator” but I am of the “simple” shotgun mind too, not a lot of slings on mine, single point or otherwise, even fewer on pump shotguns.

And there is nothing wrong with keeping things simple. I have been issued and used shotguns in addition to my primary rifle/carbine and having a good sling on the shotgun is a must. Granted what I was issued was a shorter version of the Shockwave and a two point sling kept it snug and out of the way. I have my Shockwave setup just like how I had my issue shorty setup while in the Army.

 

[Elkins45]

My sling is where my spare ammo goes. As a lefty I can’t use a stock mounted ammo carrier without making the gun extremely uncomfortable to shoot either for myself for someone else depending on which side I mount it on. I tried a saddle but apparently the hole spacing on my gun is slightly off and it bound up the action when I installed it.

 

[George P]

I am not an “Operator” but I am of the “simple” shotgun mind too, not a lot of slings on mine, single point or otherwise, even fewer on pump shotguns.

Agree, only accessory on mine is a 6 round side saddle. No need for a light; only my wife and I and we get enough ambient lighting from street lamps and electric devices. Its amazing just how bright the clock on the oven can be in a dark kitchen

 

[Boattale]

I would think the light would make a good target. Your thoughts please?

My thinking exactly. Back when I was USMC there was not a single mounted light on anything that was man carried.

Fast forward 50 years to today. My house has plenty of ambient and night lights indoors. Outside there is a dusk to dawn and plenty of solar lights. There will not be a barrel mounted light on anything around this place. Night vision - the natural kind - is it.

 

[Boattale]

And there is nothing wrong with keeping things simple. I have been issued and used shotguns in addition to my primary rifle/carbine and having a good sling on the shotgun is a must. Granted what I was issued was a shorter version of the Shockwave and a two point sling kept it snug and out of the way. I have my Shockwave setup just like how I had my issue shorty setup while in the Army.

If that works for you great. No slings on pumps here.

 

[kwb377]

Yep...illumination tools are for suckers. That's why I mounted LED clock radios to the front of my car, and use the ambient light from the stars to illuminate what I need to see while driving.

And while trying to illuminate a potential threat in a self-defense situation? I eliminate the distraction of light completely by shutting my eyes.

 

[WrongHanded]

Ah, James Yeager. Some good ideas, some not so good ideas, and some ideas that are just plain wrong for some people. But he sure makes some money.

Learning about what other people do and why, is a good thing. Just be sure to make an objective assessment of how well their way is really going to work for you.

I have a pump shotgun for home defense. It has a front bead, a light in the foregrip, a side saddle for extra shells, and nothing else on it.

I don't need a sling because it's for home defense, not neighborhood defense. I'm not going to be carrying it around over my shoulder. It's in my hands or in the corner.

I don't need a plus X mag extension, because it already takes what it takes. That happens to be 8+1. But I keep the chamber empty for safety and only 7 in the mag because of a bad experience with spring fatigue in that particular magazine.

I don't need a heat shield (I removed the one that came with the gun) because I'm not going to shoot it so much that I might burn myself. Nor should I need to hold the barrel. It's just dead weight and a possible way to snag the gun on something.

The side saddle is so I don't have to carry extra ammunition separately if I'm awoken in the night with nothing on but shorts.

The light is because ... sometimes you want a light when it's dark. But just because it's there, doesn't mean it HAS to be on all the time. Infact I'd prefer that it wasn't. Which is why I have one with a momentary switch capability.

What works for me may not work for you. Don't come up with reasons/excuses to do what someone else does. Figure out what you need and do that.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The fearyee

Ah, James Yeager. Some good ideas, some not so good ideas, and some ideas that are just plain wrong for some people. But he sure makes some money.

Learning about what other people do and why, is a good thing. Just be sure to make an objective assessment of how well their way is really going to work for you.

I have a pump shotgun for home defense. It has a front bead, a light in the foregrip, a side saddle for extra shells, and nothing else on it.

I don't need a sling because it's for home defense, not neighborhood defense. I'm not going to be carrying it around over my shoulder. It's in my hands or in the corner.

I don't need a plus X mag extension, because it already takes what it takes. That happens to be 8+1. But I keep the chamber empty for safety and only 7 in the mag because of a bad experience with spring fatigue in that particular magazine.

I don't need a heat shield (I removed the one that came with the gun) because I'm not going to shoot it so much that I might burn myself. Nor should I need to hold the barrel. It's just dead weight and a possible way to snag the gun on something.

The side saddle is so I don't have to carry extra ammunition separately if I'm awoken in the night with nothing on but shorts.

The light is because ... sometimes you want a light when it's dark. But just because it's there, doesn't mean it HAS to be on all the time. Infact I'd prefer that it wasn't. Which is why I have one with a momentary switch capability.

What works for me may not work for you. Don't come up with reasons/excuses to do what someone else does. Figure out what you need and do that.

The feautrue set struck me as very applicable to my situation as well.

 

[George P]

If that works for you great. No slings on pumps here.

I agree, no need for a sling- my shotgun is a defensive tool, not an offensive one.

 

[cslinger]

You don’t run around with your mounted light on NONSTOP.

 

[George P]

I don't run around period............. Knees won't allow that

 

[Elkins45]

I don't need a heat shield (I removed the one that came with the gun) because I'm not going to shoot it so much that I might burn myself. Nor should I need to hold the barrel. It's just dead weight and a possible way to snag the gun on something.

If I fire a home defense shotgun so much I can’t touch the barrel then I figure I’m in such desperate straits I might as well start using it to brand my attackers or burn their eyeballs.

I have a light but can’t imagine I will ever use it in the confines of our bedroom. The light is for in case the local coyotes decide to start snacking on our pets.

 

[Kevin Keith]

I have my Shockwave setup just like how I had my issue shorty setup while in the Army.

Would you mind posting a picture? I'm looking for good ideas!

 

[12Bravo20]

Here is a photo before I put the light on it. I did not run a red dot while in the Army, but my eyes were a lot better then too.

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

I would think the light would make a good target. Your thoughts please?

For those who have stared directly down a 1000 lumen light after rocking with night vision, it is quite disorientating. It may give your general direction away but as a specific target it doesn't seem practical unless its grossly underpowered.

 

[DocRock]

Cannot bear the messenger. At all. Find it hard to believe he has anything useful to say about anything.

 

[lemaymiami]

Keep it simple is my creed as well.. The only accessories on my 870 are an elastic butt cuff with five extra rounds and a sling... and still prefer a simple stock bead to anything else I've seen...

I learned to really value a sling on the street where everything I was ever involved with was very fluid - never static... It sure helps to be able to sling that weapon if you have to assist in a hands on situation - or need to scale a fence, force a door, or just to be able to stand down when you're certain that weapon isn't needed -but you're not right next to your vehicle or anyplace else where you can store it safely... Yes, any sling takes some learning to master. Beginners using a pump shotgun with a sling will find it does interfere with their ability to handle (charge, aim, discharge...) that weapon, but with a little familiarity they'll be back up and ready to go when needed.

Still hope I can live out my life without ever needing a shotgun again...

 

[John Joseph]

In my peace officer academy days our shotguns were as slick as a hound's tooth.
A longer magazine was the only accessory.
The same thing in the SO afterwards.
It worked just fine however that was 40 years ago.

 

[flightsimmer]

What's the opinion on a 20ga SXS 20" barreled coach gun.
Side saddle? No sling?

 

[George P]

What's the opinion on a 20ga SXS 20" barreled coach gun.
Side saddle? No sling?

You can't fit a side saddle on a SxS but you could use a butt cuff that holds extra shells. No need for a sling if for HD