Intro To Defensive Shotgun

Description

The defensive shotgun might be the most effective home defense firearm around, but it is not a “fire and forget” sort of thing. Unlocking the true potential of a defensive shotgun takes some knowledge and familiarity with your gun and the ammunition it uses. This four hour class will show you just how effective a tactical shotgun can be in a home defense situation and give you the skills you need for optimal use of your scattergun when literally everything is on the line.

Topics that this class will cover include:

• History of the defensive shotgun
• Differences between a hunting shotgun and a tactical shotgun
• Shotguns vs rifles for home defense
• Gear and accessory choices
• Safe storage and deployment of the shotgun
• Controlling recoil for fast follow-up shots
• Reloading and ammo management

Gear Requirements:
Either a pump action or semi-automatic shotgun is suitable for this class. The tactical or defensive use of the shotgun is radically different from its use in bird hunting or clay pigeon sports. As such, it demands a different setup compared to a hunting gun.

Your shotgun should have a shortened or adjustable stock for maximum effectiveness. If your shotgun has a tube magazine, you should also have some method of storing additional ammo on the gun such as a butt sleeve or a receiver-mounted shotshell carrier. If you have a box magazine-fed shotgun, bring at least two magazines as well as some way to store a magazine on your beltline. Shotgun slings with ammo loops are not recommended for this class.

“FIREARMS” SUCH AS THE MOSSBERG SHOCKWAVE OR REMINGTON TAC-14 OR SHOTGUNS WITH A PISTOL GRIP AND NO STOCK ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THIS CLASS

The effective range of those guns is far shorter than a shotgun with a stock, and as such, they are not compatible with what the techniques taught in this class. There will be no refunds issued if you show up to class with inappropriate firearms or ammunition.

The barrel length of your shotgun should be between 18 and 22 inches. Barrels longer than 22 inches will be cumbersome and awkward in our context. A shotgun with a barrel and a stock less than 18 inches long is a Class III firearm. If you legally possess a short barrel shotgun, feel free to use it in class.

Ammunition Requirements
You will need 100 rounds or more of birdshot. We prefer #4, #5 or #6 shot for training use. Really small shot, like #7 ½ or #8 spreads out really quickly. Larger shot, like #4, more closely mimics buckshot at the distances we will be using.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY STEEL SHOT TO THIS CLASS

If you show up with shotshells full of steel shot, you won’t shoot. It’s as simple as that. We do this for safety reasons, and it’s just another one of the ways that a tactical shotgun differs from a hunting shotgun.

You will need approximately 20 rounds of buckshot. We prefer standard load eight or nine pellet 00 Buck. Magnum loads only increase the recoil and will beat you up to no advantage. Standard velocity 00 Buck will do just fine. If you want absolute maximum performance, I suggest Federal Premium 8 pellet 00 Buck with the FliteControl wad.

If you have any questions about gear or ammunition prior to the class, please email kevin@quietlyarmed.com.

Topics Covered

• History of the defensive shotgun
• Differences between a hunting shotgun and a tactical shotgun
• Shotguns vs rifles for home defense
• Gear and accessory choices
• Safe storage and deployment of the shotgun
• Controlling recoil for fast follow-up shots
• Reloading and ammo management

Expectations and Outcomes

Students will learn the following: 

• The history of the tactical shotgun and how it is different from a shotgun for hunting
• The advantages and disadvantages of shotgun sighting methods
• How to manage the recoil of their shotguns for fast follow-ups shots and effective target transitions
• How to manage ammunition and keep the shotgun in the fight 
• Have an opportunity to shoot a Federal law enforcement shotgun qualification (for instructional purposes only) 

Types

Basic, Shotgun

Documentation Requirements

Range waiver to be emailed to students prior to class.

Requirements

• A 12 gauge pump-action or semi-automatic shotgun (tube-fed or box magazine-fed) 
• Some method of storing extra ammo on your gun OR extra magazines if box-fed 
• Sling optional
• NO PISTOL GRIP ONLY SHOTGUNS or "FIREARMS" 
• 100+ rounds birdshot (#7 or greater preferred) 
• NO STEEL SHOT
• 20 rounds buckshot (Federal FliteControl preferred)
• Eye protection
• Ear protection
• Lunch and/or snacks
• Water, bug spray, sun screen

Photos