Army infantry shotguns 2006 and up

[Flatlander35]

Hello all,

I'm wondering if anybody here has personal experience with regular Army infantry units and shotguns from 06' and on. The unit in the 101st I was with issued regular blued Mossberg 500s. Nothing parkerized. All had 18.5" barrels with a mix of fixed plastic butt stocks, plastic top folders, and plastic pistol grips. A FEW had the surefire forearm but not many.

All I read on current(ish) shotguns are that the army issues 590's. It's the same when I look up Army infantry issue M16A4's. It seems most swear the Army only gave out the M16A2 and M4, there were never any M16A4's ever officially given.

I'd like to hear any personal accounts of what was actually issued to real people outside of "I had a buddy who said"....

If nothing else it should be a thought provoking discussion. Pictures would be great if available.

[Slater]

A 2015 edition of PS Magazine had the following information:

The Army supports only two shotguns: • M26 modular accessory shotgun system, NSN 1005-01-535-3487 (LIN S40541) • M500 shotgun, NSN 1005-01-295-1832 (LIN T39223) If you have the following shotguns, turn them in and order either the M26 or M500: •

M1200, NSN 1005-00-921-5483 • M590, NSN 1005-01-251-8578 • M870, NSN 1005-00-973-5645 • M550A1, NSN 1005-01-371-

[Flatlander35]

Nice! Thank you. Its always interesting to see what is out in the wild. I didn't know the M26 was actually being issued. Has anybody here ever shot one?

[calviroman]

A bit dated (2011) but hanging out on post in Al Asad, Iraq I'd see a good number of Army folks with 18" pump shotguns w/ PG only "stocks" in the chow hall and such. Cant recall if they were Mossberg or Rem.

[Flatlander35]

Whenever we would go to large FOB's (rare!) our 240B gunners would leave those in the vehicles and sling a standard 18.5" pistol grip only Mossberg 500 with one string of 550 cord to get into chow halls/PX/MWR, etc. Neither theater provided us the chance to use them for their intended purpose. M4's, 249's, and 240B's did just fine.

I don't recall ever seeing any Marines in passing even in Kuwait or Kyrgyzstan (spelling?) for deployments/mid tour leaves/redeployments who had a shotgun but I know they were there.

So on this M26, is it standard now? I'm guessing it has the mount to go where a M203/420 went but i'm assuming its up to the unit armorers?

[Turnkey11]

We got M26's about two months before I ETS'ed from the guard Jan 14', never got to shoot it. Haven't heard anything positive or negative from the guys still in, everyone raves over the M240L and the M320.

[GTF425]

We had the M500 with a pistol grip in every unit I was in from 2008-2016.

Never saw an M26, so **** me, I guess.

[sidewaysil80]

I don't recall ever seeing any Marines in passing even in Kuwait or Kyrgyzstan (spelling?) for deployments/mid tour leaves/redeployments who had a shotgun but I know they were there.

In FAST we had 500's that were dedicated for breeching/non lethal ammo and we had Benelli M1014's that would be issued out depending on location. 2004-2012.

[Slater]

By the way, what was the "M550A1" shotgun?

[Flatlander35]

Upon review of a few developed pictures from 2007, the shotgun I had in my CHU was certainly a basic blued full stocked Mossberg 500 (obvious by barrel attachment), but it had an aluminum trigger group. I can't seem to find any references to whether or not this was an armory upgrade or if they were factory shipped.

The Benelli is interesting. World class, expensive as heck shotgun but the Marines I physically saw often got the short end of the stick with vehicles and their IR lasers were usually a bit older. This was all in passing as we never actually worked with them so who knows. Not knocking them by any means. As to the M26, whatever avoids carrying that stupid door knocker and breach kit is a plus in my book!