What are shotguns used for in the military?

9 Responses

1. Ramon M

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   trench gun was used in both world wars. Now days you breach with it and then u clear the building with it in your hand cause it’s all about violence of action and you don’t have time to switch weapons.

2. Resistance

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   They used them in the jungles on Pacific Islands against the Japanese during ww2 and in the jungles of Vietnam.

3. Marine

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   Yes. They were used in Vietnam for close combat purposes, used by the military police and often by base security guards. Shotguns firing 00 buck shells don’t need the accuracy of an M16 to hit a close target.

   You mention breaching doors, the M-4 rifle is the the weapon carried by infantry combat troops when breaching and entering building. Greater firepower (automatic versus semi-auto loading miltary riot gun which usually holds eight shells).

   Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps -Retired

4. Kris

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   Yes they are. 10 shells fired to qualify. Only 5 are actually counted. USAF anyways.

5. Newell

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   They have been used in every American War. The British have used them since Malaysia and Canadians now use them. Marines are crazy about them.

6. Michael

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   According to my friend who is a 19D in the Army, his unit only uses shotguns for breaching, seeing that there is no rule against using shotguns for combat, I assume that it is just some senior officer’s policy that limits the use of them for combat.

7. aegf

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   Bird hunting on the flightline

8. Jenny Cash Show

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   they’re used to kill people with..and they do a good job of it. the new aa 12 shoots 300 rounds a minute, new munitions like a mini grenade launcher. great in the dark, or, if like teddy roosevelt , your eyesight is poor. great line in the movie missouri breaks- why you got so many shotguns- cause i’m a sportsman.. why they all sawed off? cause im a sawed off sportsman…

9. alexander m

   November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am

   they were in a few wars, not currently though. a shotgun kill MIGHT happen once in a blue moon, but it wasnt a "im taking out a shotgun with me on patrol and i’m going to use it on an insurgent" its more of using whats already in your hands right before or after you breach a door. so very very rare if ever.

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