THE SHOTGUN - AGAIN

In 1990 (more or less) Jeff Cooper began teaching shotgun at his place in AZ. To his credit, he researched the available material quite thoroughly to arrive at his conclusions, but I suspect he had an idea of where to take it before starting. Jeff was a rifleman, first, and saw all small arms from that perspective.In a VHS tape of the era he explains why the shotgun needs a tight pattern and sights and the issue of slugs as desired loading. While his class discussed the use of the buckshot pattern, it made most guys think of keeping the pattern "as tight as a fist" out as far as possible and then shooting slugs out as far as possible. To that end a cottage industry grew around meeting Jeff's ideal of the fighting shotgun. Ghost ring sights were added, barrells were choked, shooting slings made up, and you name it. In essence, turning the weapon into a big bore rifle. But also losing the best attributes of the shotgun concept.If that is what we must do to make our shotguns useful - in essence turning them into big bore rifles, why would anyone choose a shotgun over a rifle? I will tell you right now that my main GO TO long gun is not a shotgun. And I have actually used shotguns many times to shoot bad guys so if anyone knows what a shotgun can do against men it is me. My main long gun is a Kalashnikov Rifle.The rifle is more precise, can reach farther, penetrate deeper, and can carry more ammo. That makes it truly a versatile platform. But it is not perfect either. The rifle cannot be point-shot at CQB ranges as well as the shotgun mainly due to its single projectile rather than the multiple projectiles in a buckshot round. The shotgun is not as precise, but will allow you hit under situations where you might well miss with a rifle. A shotgun allows for easier hits in low light, against multiple adversaries at close range, and in circumstances where you don't have the time to use traditional marksmanship principles. The reason it allows you to do this is because of its multiple projectile capability.Even with sights and slugs, while the shotgun can be pushed outside of its special niche, it will never do as well at rifle jobs as a true rifle.Usually we hear, "but if you only had a shotgun...." Yes, I know...I've heard that before. How many of you ONLY HAVE A SHOTGUN? And then most importantly, WHY? Usually these guys will spend hundreds of dollars trying to achieve the rifle-like performance out of a glorified duck hunting gun. But you know what...they could dedicate all those gun-bucks to buying a WASR 10 that would out perform their uber-tactical shotgun every single day. If you truly can only have a shotgun due to restrictive and oppressive laws, then by all means do what you can with the shotgun, but don't take that road when you have other tactical options.Perspective guys. Identify mission then seek a tool to accomplish the mission.Mission - Mostly Proactive; Hit from 5 yards to 350 yards. High accuracy requirements and volume of fire, as well as penetration. Tool - RifleMission - Mostly Reactive; Carry concealed 24-7-365 to hit out to 50 yards. Tool - Pistol Mission - Close, fast, low light, multiple bad guys possible inside 25 yards. No distance, volume or penetration concerns. Tool - ShotgunAs I said, the shotgun is a special tool for special events...just like the sniper rifle. I choose the Saiga 12 becuase I know I will spend MORE time with my rifle and I want a shotgun that runs just like my rifle. But I will not select it for event where a rifle will be more useful. I use it for events calling for its strengths and not one where its disadvantages will make me wish I had my AK rifle.


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On The Saiga - I think the future of combat shotgunning is the Saiga. Just as the 1911 crowd bemoaned the advent of that silly-looking "plastic" pistol from Austria back in the early 1990s, I see resistance from the traditional shotgun venues in the USA. I remember the hey-day of Heckler and Koch, when every SWT unit was using some derivative of the MP5. With the HK package came the Benelli Super 90. And for many years, the Super 90 lead the way in fighting shotgun development. Trailing it were the 1100/1187, the 870, and to a lesser degree, the Mossbergs. No other shotguns were as widely adopted as these. Yet all of these have deficiencies. They are all sporting guns modified for police/military use. One can argue that they are sufficient and that they will work. Sure...so will a five shot revolver, and a lever action rifle. But you see few of those as first choices today. The Saiga has the potential of becoming the Glock of the shotgun world. the only limit is how fast the Russians can make them and how quickly can Americans import them. Eventually, someone will figure it out and reverse-engineer an all US-made Saiga shotgun (as well as probably an AK). This is a far better shotgun than any other I have worked with. If I had a choice between a Saiga and a Benelli, I'd go Saiga hands down. It is the only purpose-designed fighting shotgun available today. Everything else...even the Benelli is a "sporting" weapon modified for police/military use.Think of a shotgun with all the characteristics of a shotgun, yet with the same exact manual of arms as your Kalashnikov!! As it comes, it needs to have a few parts replaced. The addition of a Tapco G-2 Trigger Pack and the relocation of the trigger guard to add a pistol grip are essential. As is the subsequent change to a regular AK butt stock. The main advantage of the Saiga is the magazine feed. No longer do you have to fumble with single rounds of buckshot. You can load a full magazine. You can load the Saiga the same way you load your AK. So the shoot-one-load one process that so complicates the manual of arms of the shotgun is a moot point for the Saiga. Instead, you shoot it. When it stops, you go to pistol if inside CQB range, or drop behind cover and reload it like your AK if outside of pistol range. Caveman simple.