Protective Shotgun

Description

The properly loaded shotgun is the most powerful tool that a law abiding citizen, or a law enforcement officer, can bring to bear on a critical incident. There are many myths about the shotgun... that it is difficult if not painful to shoot, that it need not be aimed, that it is ineffective past a short distance.

This course is designed and intended to dispel those myths and give the student a basis of understanding on how to run the defensive shotgun efficiently and effectively. Students will learn proper gun mount and stance, recoil mitigation techniques, how to pattern their gun so that they know where it shoots, how to select ammunition for specific use cases and how to deliver accurate fire out to the maximum effective range.

Students will learn how to set their gun and its associated gear up for success.

Topics Covered

• Development of the shotgun for defensive use
• Types and configurations of guns best suited to purpose
• Ammunition suitable for defensive purposes
• Setting the gun up for success
• Administrative handling
• Ready positions
• Recoil mitigation, taking the kick out of the shotgun
• Patterning with buck shot and verifying sights with slugs
• Live fire exercises with an emphasis on manipulations and keeping the magazine topped off
• Qualification exercise
• Man on man competition at end of day

Expectations and Outcomes

At the end of this class the student should:

• Understand the various types and configurations of shotguns suited to defensive use
• Know how their gun patterns their chosen buck shot loading
• Know how their gun shoots slugs
• Understand the fundamentals of proper gun mount and recoil mitigation
• Be able to demonstrate correct steps for loading, down loading and adminitrative handling to make the gun "closet ready"

Types

Basic, Intermediate, In Home Defense Training, Shotgun, Specialty Other

Requirements

Students must bring:

• A defensive shotgun, pump action or semi-auto
  • 12 gauge (preferred)
  • 20 gauge
  • 18 to 20 inch barrel
    • Short Barrel Shotguns, that is a gun with a barrel less than 18 inches, are allowable if properly registered and stamped
    • Shockwave or pistol grip only shotguns are not allowed for this course
  • Sling optional but not required
  • All types of sights are allowed, including optics by student choice
  • Spare ammo carriage on a side saddle (preferred) or stock cuff for reloading evolutions
• A way to carry 25 rounds of ammunition to the firing line
• Ear and eye protection
• Ammunition
  • 200 rounds of birdshot
  • 20 rounds defensive quality buckshot
  • 10 rounds of slugs
    • Foster or Brenneke type
    • Managed recoil (1200 fps or less) is preferred
• Clothing
  • A brimmed hat, ball cap is well suited
  • Crew neck, collared polo or collared button front shirts work well, low cut shirts are not appropriate for safety reasons
  • Closed toe shoes or boots (required)
• Water or thirst quencher
• Lunch and / or snacks, we will use lunch time for part of the lecture
• Sunscreen

Wyoming weather can be unpredictable, dress appropriately and be ready for sudden changes.

NOTE:  Bringing a second gun is encouraged. We will run guns hard in this course and breakage can occur. The instructor will also have extra, properly configured, guns available if a student's gun goes down.