Just got back from Rob's Shotgun class in Marietta Ohio. This was my first formal shotgun training class. I ran a Benelli M4 (one of two autoloaders in the class) with an Aimpoint C3 and a BFG Vickers Padded sling.
Preface:
I am NOT a "shotgun guy." I do not believe it is the best choice as a defensive tool and have pretty much hit the "delete button" on it for most of my adult life. To quote Vickers: "WTF do I need a shotgun for?" Was he right???
Having known Rob for a couple years now, I knew him to be an expert/guru with the shotgun and of course a fan of it (which I respected). So I went to the class with the intention of embracing the shotgun as a defensive weapon. Being open minded is always the best way to absorb information.
As an instructor Rob did a very good job. Few instructors can present information in a proper manner, back up what they teach by performing and also entertain the class. Rob did all three of these well I think. He had a good mix of instruction coupled with interesting .Gov stories.
Rob's technique of reducing felt recoil by 50% works AS advertised. So well that you can shoot a 12GA SG flat footed (weight on heels), square to the target with the SG stock on TOP of your shoulder and you will not be pushed back! :eek:
The other technique that Rob has come up with is the "CQB" position. This GREATLY shortens the OA length of the SG making it much more user friendly when clearing a room. Since I was running a Benilli M4, the stock was WAY too long. With this technique, I was able to really shorten the SG up and effectively put rounds on target from 12yds out!
Some of the other things of interest were his ability to select a slug and get it into the weapon VERY quickly. Got some cool drills for shooting and reloading that will make most people admit defeat. :D
Rob talked about how to properly "pattern" your shotgun so that you understand the effective range of it. We also discussed ammo selection and the use of 7 1/2-8shot for home defense. Both Rob and Ken Hackathorn (who showed up to run the shoot house) believe that this is a good load for targets that are at rooms length. At these distances, the 7 or 8 shot will be very destructive and have little concern of killing people in the next room or apartment. If you are outside of a "normal" room distance, than this load is NOT a good idea.
IMHO, the best deployment for this load is create a barricade position in a room (making the bad guy come to you so that you can control the distance fired).
If you are a "SG Guy" or just curious about what you can do with one, then I would HIGHLY suggest taking a class from Rob. You will learn a lot, have a much better appreciation for the SG (which I now do) and be able to better deploy it.
Some thoughts on autoloaders VS pump guns. My M4 had ZERO malfunctions and I believe the other shooter that was running an auto had two (which were user induced). The majority of the pump guns had a malfunction that the user induced by short stroking the gun. We saw this particularly bad in the shoot house when everyone's adrenaline was running high.
The question I have now running in my head is the auto SG a better choice (especially in times of stress)?? Talking with some of the other guys at the class, the answer MIGHT be a yes. IMHO, a QUALITY auto is superior for MY needs than is a pump gun YMMV.
C4
Range
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...UN09/Range.jpg
Rob Haught
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...RH_Talking.jpg
What happens when you shoot a SG normally.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/..._Incorrect.jpg
Proper technique applied
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...H_Shooting.jpg
Showing students how much pressure needs to be to the rear.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...re_To_Rear.jpg
Rob explaining his technique.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/..._Technique.jpg
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...P_Shooting.jpg

