IS THERE A BEST COMBAT SHOTGUN?

-Part I-

Chuck Taylor

As experienced with virtually every other kind of weapon-system, the so-called "combat" shotgun, too, is the subject of heated debate as to which type -- gas or recoil operated self-loader or slide-action (pump) is the "best." Indeed, for as long as I can remember, gunshop arguments over this topic range far and wide, with surprising intensity.
For example, slide-action proponents claim vehemently that their favorite is just as fast as an auto-loader and more functionally reliable. On the other hand, auto-loader fans discount this claim entirely, stating that auto-loaders recoil less, are easier to operate, making them a far better choice. And the argument doesn't stop there -- it also includes which kind of choke, open or closed, is best, and whether or not rifle sights and extended magazines are actually helpful.

Yes, the arguments go on and on. Yet, I know of no scientific attempt at actually determining if one design is, in fact, better or if sights, magazines and chokes really make much difference -- quite the reverse! Almost always, the emotional intensity of the debate quickly reaches the point where little objectivity remains, thus preventing anything of any value from being learned.

So, in an effort to settle the issue for once and for all, I consulted with CTASAA Senior Instructors Greg Nordyke and Dale Fricke. A number of conferences on the subject resulted in the creation of a comprehensive evaluation program that would disclose the truth -- factually, scientifically and definitively.

First, to insure a realistic analysis, the following eight tests were agreed upon to simulate the typical situations in which the shotgun is used. In addition to providing the means by which to determine if a particular action-type was indeed superior, they also provided the opportunity to determine whether or not and if so, to what degree, rifle sights, choking, muzzle brakes, pistol grips, extended magazines, et al. influenced shooter/weapon performance.

TEST 1 - Buckshot -- Single Targets X 5 at 7, 10, 15 & 25 meters. Weapon presented from "Rhodesian Ready." Shooter engages five single targets at each range listed.
TEST 2 - Slugs -- Single Targets X 5 at 50, 75 & 100 meters. Weapon presented from "Rhodesian Ready." Shooter engages five single targets at each range listed.
TEST 3 - Buckshot -- Multiple Targets (5) at 7, 10, 15 & 25 meters. Weapon presented from "Low Ready." Shooter engages all five targets at each range listed.
TEST 4 - Buckshot & Slugs -- Multiple Targets (5) at 7, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75 & 100 meters. Weapon presented from "Rhodesian Ready." Shooter engages all five targets at each range listed. Buckshot is used at 7, 10, 15 & 25 meters; while at 50, 75 & 100 meters, he will utilize slugs.
TEST 5 - TACTICAL -- Multiple Targets (5) at from 7 to 50 meters. Weapon presented from "Rhodesian Ready." Shooter engages five targets at various ranges and angles, shooting until they're all down. He starts with buckshot in the weapon and is free to change to slugs at any time he wishes.
TEST 6 - Buckshot -- Partially Obscured Targets (2 left , 2 right) at 7, 10, 15 & 25 meters. Weapon presented from "Low Ready." Shooter engages target that is 40% obscured, leaning out to the left and right from behind projectile-resistant "cover." He engages the target twice from the right and left side at each range specified.
TEST 7 - Buckshot -- Small Targets (2) at 7, 10, 15 & 25 meters. Weapon presented from "Low Ready." Head and 3-inches of shoulder-line of silhouette are visible above projectile-resistant "cover." Shooter engages target twice at each range listed.
TEST 8 - Buckshot -- Hostage Situations (2 left & 2 right) at 7, 10 & 15 meters. Weapon presented from "Low Ready." 2/3 of head of hostage-holder is visible from behind left and right side of hostage's head and body. Shooter engages twice each side at each range specified. A 3-second (Elapsed Time/Points Per Second)1-shot added on (Points Per Round Expended) penalty is assessed for each instance in which the hostage is struck. So-called "holdoff" is authorized if shooter wishes to utilize it.

Second, we decided that knockdown steel silhouette targets, rather than the paper variety, would be appropriate. These were 18x30 inches, with a 6x6-inch head, and constructed of 1/2-inch T-1 armor plate. Administrative convenience aside (taping the many holes in paper silhouettes and excessive target destruction are not necessary to determine the answers we sought), such targets are reactive, behaving much like people when hit.

For example, a peripheral hit can cause the silhouette to turn, rather than fall. A low hit, though usually still decisive with a shotgun, obviously isn't ideal, and causes the silhouette to fall more slowly than if struck centered. These were placed on a wooden base and spaced one-meter apart, center to center. Timing would be done electronically, beginning with the start signal and ending when the target(s) struck the ground.

Third, we addressed the matter of who the test participants would be. No one seems to contest the fact that at least reasonable shooter skill levels are a "given" in the argument. This being the case, we decided to use three highly skilled shooters and two who had only basic training with the weapon. To this end, Shooters A, B & C were ASAA 4-Weapon COMBAT MASTER- qualified, while Shooters D & E were Distinguished Graduates of the ASAA Basic Combat Shotgun Course.

Fourth, each participant handled and fired each of the test weapons extensively and was given a choice of which one they wished to use. Their selections are listed in the "Administrative Data" section that accompanies this text. To represent the self-loader, a Benelli Super 90 (recoil-operated) and SKB XL-100 (gas-operated) were selected. Curiously, although one was available, no one chose the Remington M-1100. However, the SKB XL-100 is essentially an improved version of the M-1100 design and was chosen by "Shooter B" because of its better "feel."

The venerable Remington M-870 ("Shooter E") and newly offered Mossberg M-590 ("Shooter D") were chosen to represent the slide-action. And, to see if such things really made any difference, a third slide-action, a Mossberg M-500, equipped with a custom-choked, muzzle-braked VANG (VANG COMP SYSTEMS, Inc., 5970 Daley St., Goleta, CA 93117, 805-964-7956) barrel, was used by "Shooter C."

Fifth, after an extensive discussion, it was decided that three separate methods of scoring would be utilized:

1. Elapsed Time -- the total time it took the shooter to "solve the problem," e.g. the time it took him to knock down the target(s). The lowest Elapsed Time is the best, and so on. This was done since speed is obviously a critical element in all anti-personnel gunfights.
2. Points Per Second -- The qualitative view. Each silhouette was assigned a point-value of 10.00. Thus, the highest score here shows the best balance of accuracy and speed.

3. Points Per Round Expended -- the quantitative view. Since the weapons used in the test featured varying magazine capacities, we were interested in whether or not the larger magazines would have any advantage.

Sixth, the shooters would start from either the "Rhodesian Ready," in which the weapon is carried with the muzzle diagonally down across the body and butt under the arm, or from "Low Ready," where the gun was shouldered, but with the muzzle held down at 40-45-degrees below horizontal. In both cases, safeties were ON, thus requiring manipulation to the OFF position by the shooter and trigger fingers were kept outside the trigger guard until the command to engage was received.