Episode 126: The Gauge

This episode is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HGDikyeqfQ. Special thanks to Mr2ndAmendment for indexing it.

Episode bookmarks

• Intro and framing the podcast around shotguns

• Panel introductions

• First question across the panel: for combat/home defense, what kind of shotgun setup would/do you use?

• Tim: Beretta 1301 Tactical

• Matt H: 870 Police

• Rob H: 870 Police

• Chuck: Benelli M1 Super 90

• Chuck outside his wheelhouse

• Adam: Beretta 1301 with his own mods and Magpul

• Steve: a multitude of shotguns. Like Magpul. 870 if had to choose.

• The Mossberg Shockwave’s usefulness is questioned

• Discussion of the witness protection gun

• When would you use 20ga insted of 12ga

• Recoil is NOT lighter with 20ga, just less weight

• Shotgun ballistics and myths discussion

• Chuck’s warning/thoughts on the shotgun as unforgiving latform

• Lots of knowledge needed up front to run a shotgun, Remington’s current QC level

• Pump guns can be difficult for the uninitiated, Tim’s recommendations on semi-autos

• Adam: don’t confuse familiarity with ‘ease of use’

• Comparison to manual vs automatic, physical strength element for successful use

• Steve’s ‘characterization’ of what type of firearm a shotgun is

• New dude wants to buy a shotgun, what are your pointers? Tim: most offerings are not set up for you as-is

• Rob H: Lots of “misconception damage” to undo with newbies. Be prepared to mod things up for it to work for you

• Seek training, get trained for this challenging system type

• Aiming/hitting with a shotgun

• ROCKING THE BOAT: Steve is against recommending the beloved Flite Control to average people, and why

• Pattern density comes into the discussion, the dreaded “halo” pattern, and the need to test various loads to get good pattern density

• Wad fouling is a thing, and it will change your pattern if left unchecked

• The need for regular maintenance and testing defensive loads for function, especially in semi-autos

• Semi-autos can be picky on ammo, general load gate issues

• Staggering/alternating ammo in the tube? No.

• Less-lethal, with Chuck discussion on CS gas and staggering

• Staggering issues even for professionals (just avoid it)

• IMPORTANT: no such thing as less-lethal shotgun use for civilians -smack down of rubber buckshot and such

• Chuck on 12GA flash bang rounds, color-coded patrol shotguns, stressing dedicated use for a shotgun

• Self Defense mindset from Tim

• Understanding the stack order of what comes first/last in the tube. Rob H puts staggering to bed.

• Chuck on getting shot with a shotgun, and the psychological effects for the dude getting hit and the dude doing the shooting

• Steve recommendations pump guns and why, then Tim goes into “pacing” your pump shots

• Carbines vs. Shotguns, volume of shots needed in a defensive scenario, legal implications of how many shots you fired

• Rob’s experience on the legal situation after a shoot, prosecutors, ignorant jurors, jury selection

• Shotgun optics & weapon light choices, mounts, surviving recoil, etc.

• Working the safety on a shotgun, how different they all are, different thoughts on it -chamber empty or no? LE Department SOPs and protocols on weapon stowage/use

• Steve on the Mossberg safety, Matt using Beretta M9 safety as an example, Chuck on safety actuation/NDs

• Loading, patterning, recoil management -critical shotgun skills from Steve and Rob

• Tim specifically on recoil control

• Adam on gun design and recoil aspects

• Total smack down on recoil-reducing stocks from Steve

• Rob on the “sacred cows” of shotguns, evolution of mindsets and training, fighting “that’s the way it’s always been”

• Rob on lacking LE shotgun training = shotguns in cruisers are common, good training and skills are not

• Chuck going into the weeds/revisiting psychological & physical effects of the shotgun being brought out and used

• Ballistics/power discussion of shotgun loads vs. pistols/carbines

• Rob/Tim on the historic existence of area/pattern weapons and why the shotgun is still around, and the United States and our unique use and tradition of shotguns

• LE departments with heavy gun-play and their extensive use of shotguns

• Questions around the panel: your favorite custom shotgun shop?

• Favorite shotgun drill?

• Discussion on basic standards for regular people’s proficiency with shotguns for home defense

• Chuck’s insistence on shotguns not getting any special treatment or alternative standards -“know your gauge”

• Tim on what’s fucked up about most shotgun training courses/instructors

• Value of instructing with paper targets vs. steel

• More ragging on Chuck, podcast wrap up, dudes get to do final thoughts/parting recommendations

• Tim’s piece = course information

• Steve’s piece = many proper sources can help you get the answers to your problems

• Adam’s piece = ‘get instruction before buying stuff, even my own stuff’

• Chuck’s piece = “learn some shit”

• Matt’s piece = “tubular-repeating claymore”

• Rob’s wisdom = “get training”