Rapid fire shotgun. Shotgun weapon: the second coming of shotguns

I went to the movie “Predators” and really liked the main character’s gun. I decided to figure out what kind of monster it was and this is what I dug up:

AA-12 assembled best characteristics, which only a combat shotgun can have.

This shotgun can fire five 12-gauge rounds per second. Despite such a huge lethal power, recoil is so minimized that it makes shooting possible with one hand.
This is a fully automatic shotgun with a drum magazine and a stainless steel receiver, which also means that this shotgun is self-cleaning and self-lubricating. The AA-12 can also use 3-inch FRAG-12 cartridges, which support accurate shooting at a distance of up to 175 meters.
Caliber, mm 12
Length, mm 965
Barrel length, mm 457
Weight without cartridges, kg 4.75
Magazine/drum capacity, no. cartridges 8 / 20, 32
Rate of fire, rds/min 360 Smoothbore Atchisson Assault Shotgun

American Maxwell Atchisson developed his first automatic combat rifle in 1972. This development was prompted by the experience of the Vietnam War, where American soldiers used various shotguns with great success in jungle battles. During this period, the United States was developing several systems of automatic shotguns, which provided increased firepower in close combat.
In order to make his gun inexpensive, easy to manufacture and maintain, and at the same time quite comfortable when shooting powerful 12-gauge cartridges, Atchisson used in his gun a free-flowing automatic system, traditional for submachine guns, but practically not used in guns. bolt, in combination with shooting from an open bolt and pinning the primer on the bolt rollout (to reduce recoil). The receiver of Atchisson's gun looked like steel pipe, inside of which a heavy cylindrical shutter was placed (shutter weight approximately 1.4 kg). The receiver was long and reached almost to the butt plate, providing a very long recoil length of the bolt, which ensured both a reduction in recoil and a decrease in the rate of fire in automatic mode. To ensure firing from an open bolt, Atchisson used a trigger mechanism from light machine gun Browning BAR-1918.
The handguard of the gun was taken from the M16A1 rifle
Cartridges were supplied from detachable magazines, box magazines with a capacity of 5 rounds or drum magazines with a capacity of 20 rounds. The weight of the loaded drum magazine reached 2.1 kg, and to prevent the magazine from being torn out of its mounts by recoil during shooting, it was supported from behind by a special metal bracket connected to the pistol grip.

Atchisson assault shotgun (1972 prototype), with 5-round box magazine

In the early 1980s, Atchisson redesigned his gun to use a more traditional gas-operated system combined with a rigid barrel lock. The reason for this modernization was the prospect of use in smoothbore military weapons more powerful special cartridges, including those with arrow-shaped striking elements. In addition to the use of new automation, Atchisson changed the design of the trigger and receiver. The new gun, designated AA-12, had a gas piston located above the barrel that operated the bolt. Locking was carried out by a wedge movable in a vertical plane located in the front part of the bolt. To lock, the wedge rose up and entered a groove in the barrel shank, thereby unloading the receiver. The receiver was made integral with the forearm and butt and consisted of two halves, left and right, connected by pins. The butt was hollow, since after the shot the bolt rolled back into it. The USM provided the ability to fire single shots and bursts; shooting was still carried out from an open bolt. The cartridges were fed from detachable magazines similar to those from early Atchisson rifles.
Atchisson assault shotgun (prototype 1972), with a 20-round drum magazine

Over the next 20 years, Atchisson gradually improved his AA-12 gun, but things never reached mass production.

diagram of the Atchisson AA-12 shotgun (1985) from the original patent. IN modern design AA-12 reloading mechanism works by removing part of the powder gases from the barrel. A special feature of this weapon is the presence of “accumulation of recoil impulse”. Its essence lies in the fact that two return springs interact with each other and stretch the recoil impulse over time, softening it. A similar scheme is used in the Ultimax 100 machine gun. The shot occurs when the barrel is not locked. The weapon's reloading handle is located at the top of the receiver. The cartridges are fed from detachable straight magazines with 8 rounds, or from round magazines with 20 or 32 rounds. The trigger mechanism allows single or fully automatic fire. The fire mode switch is located at the trigger. All weapon mechanisms are assembled in a durable plastic case, which protects it from dirt, sand and dust getting inside the mechanisms. The sight is adjustable, mounted on a high stand.
AA-12 combat rifle of modern release. It won't take long for this shotgun to hit the battlefield. It has already been tested by the US Marine Corps and has earned their praise. Moreover, this shotgun is installed on unmanned helicopters.

In the photo above is a tactical shotgun UTAS UTS-15, special smoothbore weapon, created by Turkish gunsmiths for police and army personnel. Next we will tell you more about it...

Over more than 800 years of evolution, handguns have evolved from heavy muzzle-loading guns to modern tactical shotguns. We'll talk about the latter today.

Choosing smoothbore weapons: 10 modern tactical shotguns

Kel-Tec KSG

Shotgun Kel-Tec KSG was developed by Kel-Tec in 2011 and was demonstrated at the Shot Show that same year, gaining immediate popularity.

The main feature of this shotgun is that it is made according to the bullpup design and is reloaded using a longitudinally sliding fore-end. At the same time, loading is carried out from two tubular magazines located under the barrel of the weapon. The operator himself chooses whether to supply cartridges from the left or right magazine. A special switch located at the bottom of the receiver serves this purpose.

The shotgun fore-end is made of impact-resistant plastic and is connected to the bolt using two steel rods. The smoothbore weapon has a push-button safety and is located on both sides of the fire control handle. This allows both right-handed and left-handed people to use it equally comfortably.

To expand the functionality, two rails are installed on the shotgun - one above the receiver - for installing all kinds of sights, the other - on the forend. It allows you to install a front grip, laser pointer or tactical flashlight on the gun.

SRM Model 1216

Gun SRM Model 1216 was presented by SRM Arms in 2008 as a compact and mobile civilian shotgun. It is distinguished by its light weight and short barrel length (only 457 mm). At the same time, the main features of this weapon are the semi-free bolt and the special design of the magazine.

As for the first, it is made by analogy with the bolts on many modern submachine guns (such as MP-5, G-3 and others). The opening of the shutter is slowed down using a pair of special rollers.

As for the magazine, it is made of a tubular, four-sectional design (sections, each of which holds 4 rounds, are placed parallel on a rotating drum). In this case, shooting is carried out only from the upper magazine. After it is empty, the drum turns and shooting continues.

When developing the SRM Model 1216 smoothbore weapon, the creators wanted to make it as light as possible, as a result of which the body, butt and forend of the gun were made of plastic. As for the sight, the basic version of the weapon does not have any sighting devices pre-installed, but there are Picatinny rails that allow the owner to install any “body kit” to his taste.

UTAS UTS-15

This super popular 12 gauge shotgun was created by UTAS (Turkey) in 2011 as the primary shotgun used by police and military forces. Further UTAS UTS-15 also entered the civilian market).

The gun is made according to the bullpup design with reloading with a movable fore-end. The shotgun magazine is twin, with 12 rounds (you can choose to feed cartridges from the left tube, from the right tube, or alternately, which is quite convenient). It is worth noting that the designers made great efforts to ensure that the gun could be reloaded equally confidently from any position (there are no wedges or protrusions on this shotgun at all).

To lighten the overall weight of the weapon, its body is made of impact-resistant plastic, additionally reinforced with fiberglass. This provides the gun with resistance not only to longitudinal loads, but also to lateral impacts.

The barrel of the shotgun is chrome-plated, and the chokes are replaceable. The manual (non-automatic) safety is located on the left side of the gun, near the pistol grip. For greater convenience, Picatinny rails are also located on the top and forend, allowing you to install any sighting and auxiliary devices on the shotgun.

Vepr-12

Shotgun ( smoothbore carbine) Vepr-12 is made on the basis of the Kalashnikov light machine gun and has a design that is as similar as possible to its progenitor. The only serious changes that were applied during its development are the inability to conduct automatic fire and the modification of the bolt and barrel for use shot cartridges 12 gauge.

This shotgun has long earned recognition throughout the world as a universal and reliable hunting, sports and tactical weapon.

Mossberg 500

Pump-action shotgun Mossberg 500- one of the most popular and widespread, and according to some sources, the most widespread smooth-bore weapon in the world. It is distinguished by its simple and reliable design, convenience and ease of use.

The gun is fed from a tubular under-barrel magazine, and the bolt is locked by moving the combat cylinder behind a cutout inside the rear part of the barrel.

The Mossberg 500 shotgun is built to withstand heavy duty use and can easily withstand the most intense shooting conditions. At the same time, it is lightweight enough for a 12-gauge weapon (only 3 kg), which ensures its high mobility. Such low weight is achieved through the use of a receiver made of aluminum, as well as a pistol grip and butt made of impact-resistant plastic.

A characteristic feature of the Mossberg 500 series pump-action shotguns is the safety, located in the upper part of the receiver - it is equally convenient for both right-handed and left-handed people.

Benelli M4 Super 90

Semi-automatic shotgun Benelli M4 Super 90– another contender for the title of universal tactical shotgun. It can be used with equal success by both hunters and law enforcement officers.

The main advantage of this shotgun compared to other semi-automatic weapons is its extremely high reliability - it can be guaranteed to fire more than 25,000 shots without the need to replace any parts.

This smooth-bore weapon is equipped with a tubular under-barrel magazine for 7 rounds of 12*70 mm caliber (at the same time, it can be reloaded with 2 more rounds - one into the chamber, and the second into the feeder tray). If necessary, the shotgun can also use Magnum cartridges (12*76 mm).

Even greater convenience and versatility of the gun is given by the abundance of plastic parts (reducing its overall weight), a telescopic butt (available as standard) and Weaver rails for installing sighting devices at the owner’s discretion.

Remington 870

Shotgun Remington 870 was first released to the general market in 1950, and since then has remained one of the most famous and at the same time popular pump-action shotguns in the world.

This gun has a massive receiver, milled from a single piece of steel, and has extremely high reliability, as well as an equally massive barrel. The latter is made from weapons-grade steel 4140 and has increased wall thickness. This ensures that the shotgun can fire more than 30,000 rounds without noticeable wear or damage to the barrel.

The main feature of the Remington 870 shotgun is its convenience - it can be equipped with various linings, under-barrel devices, flashlights, additional handles, Various types colimator and optical sights, as well as much more. In addition, the standard compact fuse can also be replaced with a larger fuse, which allows you to quickly bring the weapon into combat readiness.

It is also worth noting that in basic version This smoothbore weapon is available with both standard open rifle attachments, more preferable for shotgunning, and with a rifle sight (front sight/rear sight).

FN SLP

The semi-automatic shotgun, developed by the Belgian company FN Herstal, embodies the concept of a universal and at the same time reliable police shotgun. Much attention is paid to comfort and ergonomics. Thus, the butt and fore-end of this gun are made of plastic, and the receiver is made of a special aluminum alloy. For greater convenience for the shooter, the standard delivery package includes replaceable linings for the fire control handle, as well as butt pads for the butt of various thicknesses. All this allows you to tailor this weapon “to suit you” as accurately as possible.

Sights on a shotgun FN SLP rifle type, high profile. At the same time, thanks to the bar placed on the top of the box, it is possible to install collimator or optical sights of various types.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that due to its convenience and reliability, the FN SLP shotgun won the title of “Shotgun of the Year 2009”.

Benelli Super Black Eagle II

The Benelli Super Black Eagle II semi-automatic was launched to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary and is a further reimagining of the famous Super Black Eagle, one of the most popular shotguns among game hunters around the world.

The new model has a barrel made of special steel and cryogenically treated. The latter significantly increases its durability and allows the gun to be used even in the most difficult conditions. The magazine on this gun is under-barrel, designed for 3 12/89 supermagnum cartridges (it is possible to use cartridges with a shorter case length).

An important aspect of this shotgun is its high ergonomics - this gun itself is very handy and has a small mass. For greater comfort when shooting, a special shock absorber is installed on the butt plate, which allows you to shoot from this weapon for a long time even with magnum and supermagnum cartridges. Thanks to this, the Benelli Super Black Eagle II can be successfully used not only for hunting, but also for sports shooting.

Benelli Supernova

Supernova is another model from the Benelli company, in the production of which gunsmiths and designers placed maximum emphasis on the comfort and convenience of the shooter. Thus, the butt of this pump-action shotgun is made of a special flexible, but at the same time very durable plastic that perfectly absorbs recoil energy. For greater efficiency, 12 slotted holes were made in the butt itself, giving it even better shock-absorbing properties. The highly elastic butt plate also plays a significant role in increasing comfort when shooting. Thanks to the use of all the innovations listed above (combined together into a system called ComforTech), the creators of the gun managed to reduce the overall recoil impulse by more than 47%). Such indicators allow you to shoot equally comfortably with both conventional cartridges and magnum cartridges.

Shotgun handguard Benelli Supernova made of temperature-resistant Rilsan polymer, on top of which a special Air Touch corrugation is applied, guaranteeing both a secure hold and maximum comfort for the shooter’s hands. It protects the surfaces of the palms from both fogging and the formation of calluses during prolonged work with weapons (for example, on the sports field).

As for the operating properties of this gun, it is distinguished by a very high rate of fire for a shotgun and great reliability, which allows it to be used in all climatic and natural zones under a wide variety of weather conditions.

What shotgun would you buy for yourself? Or maybe you already have it? Tell us in the comments what justifies your choice?

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"Addiction" to certain types of ammunition was a major problem for many years after the commercial success of the first semi-automatic shotguns. So it is not surprising that the developers of this type of weapon were focused mainly on finding technical solutions that would allow them to be used without problems different kinds ammunition. It is thanks to their diligence that modern semi-automatic shotguns chambered in 12/76 chambers will have no difficulty using any 12/70 caliber ammunition. Average weight fraction was also increased from 24 g to 52 g.

In Europe, this technological leap brought semi-automatic shotguns out of the shadows and made them the weapon of choice for most hunters.

With the advent of the Beretta "UGB25 Xcel", semi-automatic shotguns found their way into the sport of skeet shooting.

In practice, semi-automatic shotguns have two main advantages over double-barreled shotguns: first of all, the third shot can be fired very quickly. Secondly, they have a softer recoil in accordance with the weight and power of the cartridges, which is no less important for the shooter during a long series of shots.

The main disadvantage we have to mention here is that it is only possible to use one alternative choke for all shots in quick succession. On the range, this disadvantage can be compensated, at least in part, by proper ammunition selection. Similar to over-and-under shotguns, interchangeable chokes are now also available for semi-automatic shotguns, and thanks to their easy and quick installation and removal, even this category of weapon can be quickly adapted to any type of hunting.

The first semi-automatic shotguns appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. John Moses Browning was the creator of this new class of weapon. The development of his legendary auto-loading shotgun "Auto 5", which uses the recoil energy of the barrel during its long stroke for reloading, was sold to the Belgian company "FN", which began mass production in 1905. It was the first technically and commercially successful semi-automatic shotgun.

In fact, self-loading (semi-automatic) shotguns can be divided into two categories, which differ in the principle of operation of the automation: based on recoil energy and based on the removal of powder gases.

In the first case we're talking about about the principle of locking based on recoil energy, where the barrel moves a certain distance in engagement with the bolt until it is released, which allows the bolt to linger in the rear position and the barrel to return to its original position, while the bolt ends its cycle by chambering the next cartridge into the chamber .

The era of semi-automatic shotguns began at the beginning of the 20th century with the advent of the legendary BROWNING "Auto 5", which operated on the basis of this locking principle and was taken as the basis for the manufacture of semi-automatic shotguns by other gun manufacturers, including REMINGTON and FRANCHI. ".

Modern shotgun BROWNING A5 with recoil-based automatic action

The main disadvantages of the first semi-automatic shotguns were their rather rigid dependence on certain ammunition and their sometimes enormous recoil. Users were forced to adjust these guns to match the corresponding ammunition, for example, on the Auto 5 semi-automatic shotgun it was necessary to install the famous friction rings to provide additional force that would slow down the recoil of the barrel, providing it with a stable recoil speed for using cartridges with different powder and shot loads .

Self-loading hunting shotgun BROWNING "A5" in action

Some users were also annoyed by the recoil of the barrel. Therefore, designers initially turned their attention to eliminating barrel recoil and minimizing dependence on certain ammunition. There were several more attempts to improve the principle of operation of automation based on recoil, but by the beginning of World War II, the future clearly lay with the principle of operation of automation based on the removal of powder gases.

The operating principle of this mechanism is extremely simple: The gas outlet is located in the barrel bore around the bolt group. The gas drives the piston to recharge the cartridge.

The main disadvantage of the operating principle of automation based on the removal of powder gases is the carbon residue from the gas flow. However, in recent years even these systems have undergone significant improvements in terms of reliability with any type of ammunition and greater resistance to the accumulation of carbon residues - in some cases, almost to perfection.

Vivid examples of this were BERETTA "A-400 Xplor Unico", REMINGTON "Versa Max" And BROWNING "Maxus".

BERETTA trusts the new gas system of the "A 400 Xtreme Unico" shotgun

REMINGTON VersaMax 12 Gauge Self-Loading Shotgun with Realtree Camouflage Finish

BROWNING Maxus shotgun in a modest black color scheme

All three of these models can shoot 12-gauge cartridges equally well with case lengths ranging from 70 mm to 89 mm and weights ranging from 24 g to 63 g. The REMINGTON "Versa Max" shotgun has a gas piston system that vents gas to operate the system through ports and gas pistons located in the combustion chamber area. This gas piston system self-regulates gas pressure based on liner length for reliable cycling regardless of load. The BERETTA "A-400 XPlor Unico" shotgun uses a different tactic to solve this problem. The A-400 XPlor Unico integrates a new gas system with a rotating bolt and feed system, and also uses a self-cleaning gas venting mechanism. These two well-controlled lugs fit into corresponding recesses in the barrel sleeve, locking the bore.

In order to ensure normal operation of weapons with a wide variety of ammunition, it is necessary to regulate the pressure of the gases required for the chamber, depending on the corresponding load. This effect is achieved using an innovative gas piston with a cleaning ring that doubles as a seal.

Pressure rises as gas enters the valve, causing the piston to move. The manufacturer claims that these guns are 36% faster than any other semi-automatic gun known today. To achieve this goal, the recoil action has been reduced compared to the previous model "AL 391". BERETTA calls this new "high efficiency engine" A 400 Unico "Blink".

Self-loading shotgun WINCHESTER SX3 with gas exhaust system Active-Valve-System

The "Power Drive" gas sealing system is the heart of the BROWNING "Maxus" shotgun. Additional gas vents were designed to remove powder gases from the mechanism more quickly than was the case with the previous BROWNING gas venting system when firing heavier shot shells. The new gas outlet sealing system removes excess powder gases from the mechanism, which, in turn, increases the stroke length of the gas piston. WINCHESTER's SX3 line of gas shotguns also claim to be the fastest-firing semi-automatic shotguns in the world.

Receiver of a semi-automatic shotgun WINCHESTER SX3

In order to minimize any risks of jamming or other problems that may arise on hunting or shooting ranges, designers have also put a lot of effort into finding solutions to problems encountered in modern gas exhaust systems: the aforementioned phenomenon of carbon residue buildup, as well as dust and moisture. However, there is no doubt that in some extreme situations, residual risk still remains. Even modern gas rifles must be kept clean to remain in good working order.

The BENELLI M2 IPSC semi-automatic shotgun has been specially designed for dynamic sport shooting

It's basically taking advantage of the weapon's recoil in general. The automation here operates from a powerful spring installed between the combat cylinder and the bolt body, which, accumulating energy during the recoil of the weapon, then provides a full cycle of operation of the gun’s automation. The combat cylinder rotates and unlocks the bore, clamping the inertial spring between the cylinder and the body. Due to the recoil force of the gun, the bolt, under the influence of inertial force, moves forward relative to it several millimeters, compressing the inertial spring, which, overcoming the inertia of the bolt, throws it back, and at the same time the spent cartridge case is ejected, and on the reverse stroke of the bolt group a new one is supplied cartridge into the chamber.

Essentially, therefore, the inertial system consists of a combat cylinder, a bolt body and an inertial spring. BROWNING has used this system in its new A5 semi-automatic shotgun.

All components of the inertial system in the Vinci model move exclusively coaxially and in line with the barrel. BENELLI has also set new standards with its Vinci shotgun. The Vinci shotgun, consisting of three main modules, can be easily assembled and disassembled without the use of additional tools.

All (or almost all) shotgun models mentioned in this article were originally designed for use as hunting weapons, however, they subsequently found new uses as weapons for the military, police or for sports shooters (participating in practical shooting competitions under the auspices of the IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation)).

In addition to the flawless operation of the automation, every effort of the engineers was also aimed at reducing recoil. Recent years have seen significant advances in this area, especially among premium shotguns.

Shotgun – firearms smoothbore type, which uses small round balls called shot as cartridges. Mainly used for shooting from the shoulder. On this moment Many people actively use a shotgun for self-defense, which is explained by its high stopping power at short distances. What you need to purchase a shotgun and how to choose the right type of weapon will be discussed below.

Before purchasing one or another type of weapon, it is necessary to determine the specifics of the legal framework regulating the possibility of obtaining and using such products. All currently existing weapons can be divided into two large groups:

1. Service, which is used by various military units, special forces, police, etc. As a rule, these types of weapons have enhanced firepower without any restrictions in characteristics.
2. Civilian weapons. Such products are intended for sports, self-defense, hunting, and can also be used for educational purposes. As a rule, these are weapons with reduced firepower that are not capable of causing serious injury to the enemy.

The Law “On Weapons” stipulates the following types of self-defense means that do not require obtaining permission for storage and use:

• stun gun (except for those models that are very powerful and operate remotely);
• gas sprayer;
• axe;
• household knife;
• rubber batons and sticks;
• "Udar" type devices;
• weak pneumatic weapons (caliber no more than 4.5 mm, power up to 7.5 J);
• spear gun;
• those types signal revolvers, which, due to their characteristics, cannot be used as military weapons.

To acquire the above mentioned means of self-defense, a citizen only needs to reach the age of majority.

Weapons such as shotguns cannot be possessed or used without the appropriate permit. Moreover, such a weapon needs certain place for storage that meets certain standards. It must be a securely locked safe that is inspected by an authorized representative.

Consequences of using a shotgun

In self-defense, you should never shoot in the face or head of the attacker.

A shotgun is a smooth-bore gun that uses shot—small metal balls—as ammunition. So it's not even about traumatic weapons, but about firearms. At the moment, both storage and use of shotguns without permission involves administrative or even criminal liability. The degree of punishment will depend on the nature of the illegal actions.

Important! According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, carrying bladed and long-barreled firearms for self-defense is unacceptable. Thus, even after obtaining all the appropriate permits, you can only use such weapons to protect your private property.

Now we must consider the consequences of using a shotgun for self-defense. In this case, several important aspects must be taken into account:

1. Due to its specificity, a shotgun is designed to hit close targets. If we are talking about a range exceeding 25 meters, then the results of the shot will be unpredictable due to the scattering of cartridges. Even if we are talking about high-quality buckshot, using a shotgun for self-defense is only suitable at short distances.
2. The capabilities of this gun are significantly limited even if it is used in small spaces. Use at a distance of less than 5 meters requires very precise aiming, since the scree in this case will be insignificant. However, if hit, the attacker is guaranteed to be incapacitated.

It should be remembered that a shotgun is a serious weapon that can cause significant damage to an opponent and lead to death. In this case, the defendant may be tried for negligent homicide. In addition, the use of a rifle must be justified. If the court proves that there was no threat to the life of the defender, then he himself will sit in the dock.

To ensure that using a shotgun for self-defense does not have negative consequences, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Under no circumstances should you shoot in the face, head, or neck. Shot damage to these areas will most likely lead to death.
2. You should not shoot in the peritoneal area, as buckshot can cause multiple injuries internal organs with profuse bleeding.
3. It is advisable to fire a warning shot in the air, giving the attacker the opportunity to change his mind about what he has planned. As a rule, such actions are quite sufficient to resolve the conflict.
4. If the previous point did not have the desired effect, you should shoot at the limbs.

When using any firearm, you should also consider the following nuances:

1. Physical training. Any gun has a certain recoil force, and therefore before using it directly for self-defense, you should practice shooting. In addition, without the skills to conduct aimed fire, firearms become only an irritating factor for the attacker. And although the affected area of ​​a shotgun will be much larger than that of the same pistol, accuracy in this case will be useful.
2. Psychological preparation. In practice, not everyone can shoot a person. To perform such actions requires a certain mindset and special training. Therefore, if you are not able to act carefully and decisively while holding a shotgun, then you should consider other methods of self-defense, for example, stun guns or gas sprays.

Types of shotguns

Benelli M4 Super 90 is a smooth-bore semi-automatic repeating self-loading shotgun, developed in Italy by Benelli Armi S.p.A.

In most cases, shotguns are shotguns that use the energy of a fixed projectile to fire the shot. The direct predecessor of the shotgun is the musket, which nowadays can also be used for riot control and self-defense.

Regardless of the type, shotguns are designed for combat at short distances (up to 25 meters). This is due to two features:

1. No threading inside the barrel. Rifled shotguns are extremely rare.
2. Using shot as a projectile. Due to the large spread of metal balls, the shotgun's damaging ability at long distances is insignificant.

At the moment, the following types of shotguns are distinguished:

1. Single-barreled. Classic version, which is highly valued by experts for its ease of use and unpretentiousness.
2. Double-barreled (similar to rifles). Such weapon models have a higher lethality compared to their single-barreled counterparts. Currently, such models are especially common among hunters.
3. Multi-barreled. Such models may have more than two barrels and are not found among civilian weapons.

Regarding the reloading method, the following shotgun options are distinguished:

1. Pump-action. This is the most popular design with which many people associate the very concept of a shotgun. It assumes the presence of a movable front handle, by sliding which the bolt group moves. Thus, when moving the handle back and forth, the spent cartridge case is ejected, and a new cartridge is sent into the chamber. This mechanism has a higher rate of fire compared to classic rifles and double-barreled shotguns, allowing you to keep your hand on the handle up to complete execution store.
2. Lever type. This is a multi-shot weapon, the reloading procedure in which occurs manually, through a semicircular movement of the trigger guard. To change the cartridge, it should be passed around the trigger. At the moment, this reloading method is considered somewhat outdated and is largely inferior to its pump-action counterparts.
3. Self-loading or automatic shotgun. This is a weapon that allows you to fire in automatic mode. Here the recharging process occurs without direct human participation. Regarding the device, such designs resemble automatic rifles and machine guns. To date this is the most perfect view similar weapons, characterized by a high rate of fire. Civilians are not allowed to own similar type shotguns.

Shotgun Ammo

The cartridge is grapeshot, has an ideal accuracy of 80-85% at a distance of 35 meters

In addition to the low cost of this weapon (about half the price of a classic rifle), the shotgun attracts attention with a wide variety of ammunition. In this case, the short firing range can be easily compensated by the significant power of the shot, due to which the shotgun is characterized by truly high penetration ability. This criterion determined the use of a shotgun for assault purposes.

Nowadays, most shotguns are designed to fire special cartridges, which can be 10, 12 or even 20 gauge. They are created on the basis of hunting ammunition, which is manufactured in a factory and meets all modern technical specifications.

However, despite the enormous penetrating power of the shotgun, exceeding 2500 J, its significant drawback is the small magazine capacity and strong recoil.

Review of the best shotgun models

Let's look at several of the most popular and technically advanced models of shotguns that can be successfully used for self-defense and hunting:

Mossberg 500 Tactical Persuader

Mossberg 500 is a smoothbore hunting shotgun with a pump-action reloading system (a feature of this pump-action shotgun is a safety located on top of the receiver and controlled by the thumb)

Classic model, the production of which began back in 1962. It is characterized by a wide range of applications, being used for self-defense, for hunting and in various law enforcement agencies. The structural elements of the shotgun are made of steel, while the body of the model is aluminum, and the fore-end and butt are made of plastic or wood. The fuse is located on top of the receiver, which is very convenient.

Super Black Eagle 3

The model is excellent for use in complex climatic conditions. Key Feature This shotgun is equipped with a special stock that helps reduce recoil. The weapon is characterized by excellent rates of fire, power, accuracy of fire and reliability, and a certain aggressive design is an additional advantage, allowing this weapon to be successfully used for self-defense.

Remington 870

The Remington 870 is a shotgun with an under-barrel tubular magazine for 8 rounds and a longitudinally sliding forend (“pump-action” shotgun)

A popular shotgun model that has been produced by an American manufacturer since the middle of the last century. Thanks to the special shape of the fore-end, the gun is easily recognizable. The design is characterized by a lower supply of cartridges, while the ejection of spent cartridges is carried out from the side. The high reliability of this model is due to the presence of a solid receiver, which further reduced the weight of the shotgun, making it more convenient to use.

M4 Super 90 from the Italian company Benelli

It has excellent characteristics and is made from high-strength materials. Experts highlight the high reliability of this weapon - it is designed to fire 25 thousand shots before the first repair. This shotgun can use 12-gauge and 16-gauge cartridges. The telescopic butt allows you to choose the most convenient rest for using the weapon. High reliability and ease of maintenance have made this model popular among professional hunters.

The American automatic revolver-type shotgun “Pancor Jackhammer” (literally translated as “jackhammer”) is intended for arming the police and army. There was also an option for arming combat swimmers, which differed from the standard version in that it had a sealed container for transporting weapons under water. On the civilian weapons market in most countries, the sale of Pancor Jackhammer is prohibited. The Jackhammer combat smoothbore automatic shotgun was developed in 1978 by weapons designer John A. Anderson specifically as a military model. In 1984, Andersen patented the basic design, on the basis of which all further development of this weapon was based. Technical solutions, implemented in the design of this gun, were patented in the USA on December 1, 1987 under the numbers 4709617 and 4856410 and on January 4, 1990 in England under the numbers 2179429 and 2206188 ...

Main feature is feeding the gun with cartridges from a 10-round 12-gauge hunting drum. The automation works by removing part of the powder gases from the barrel, and is reminiscent of the drum rotation mechanism of the 1896 Webley-Fosbery revolver. The first sample of the Pancor Jackhammer was released in 1985, the first tests were carried out in the 1990s. It was not accepted for service. The gun was initially advertised under the banner of Pancor Corporation, and later by Mark Three Corporation (which had in its arsenal a number of equally original and equally unsuccessful developments in the field of small arms).

The Pancor Jackhammer shotgun is built according to the bullpup scheme - smoothbore, built on the basis of a gas exhaust mechanism with a forward-moving barrel and power from detachable magazines - drums like revolving ones. Gas engine automation consists of a gas cylinder formed around the barrel and an annular gas piston rigidly mounted on the barrel. After the shot, hot powder gases enter the gas cylinder through a hole in the barrel and, acting on the gas piston, push the movable barrel forward, compressing the return spring. In this case, the barrel first disengages from the fired chamber of the drum, and then, through a longitudinally sliding lever located above the barrel (automation drive rod), it activates the reloading and cocking mechanism of the trigger mechanism. There are special oblique shaped grooves on the outer surface of the drum magazine. Two protrusions at the rear of the drive rod interact with these slots, causing the drum to rotate half a step clockwise, first as the rod (and barrel) moves forward and then backward. Thus, before the barrel reaches its rearmost position under the action of the return spring, the drum turns toward the barrel with the next loaded chamber. At the end of his reverse The barrel enters with its shank into the front part of the drum chamber, providing a tight connection that prevents powder gases from breaking out. At the same time, the rear end of the drive rod cocks the striker-fired firing mechanism. The gun has only an automatic fire mode; single shots are possible by briefly pressing the trigger due to the relatively low rate of fire. Manual reloading for the first shot or in case of misfire is carried out by a movable fore-end, moving forward and backward, while special hooks inside the fore-end pick up the barrel and move it back and forth, carrying out a full reloading cycle.

The change of magazines - drums (in the original bearing the brand name "Ammo Cassette" - ammunition cassette) was also carried out in an unusual way. To separate the magazine from the weapon, you need to squeeze the trigger halfway, and then move the movable forend forward until it stops. In this case, the barrel will move forward, disconnecting from the drum, the tubular axis of the magazine will also move forward from the drum, allowing it to freely fall out of the weapon. In the forward position, the forend and barrel will be automatically locked with a special latch located in the front of the trigger guard. Thus, while holding the pistol grip with one hand, the shooter with the other free hand can insert a new magazine into place and then release the forend by pressing the latch. In this case, the magazine axis will fall into place, the drive lever will automatically align one of the drum chambers opposite the barrel, and then the barrel will enter this chamber with its rear part. The trigger will also be cocked automatically and the weapon will be ready for battle.

In the opening of the butt behind the magazine there is a handle connected to the firing pin and allowing, if necessary, to manually cock the firing pin or remove it from combat cocking. Another feature of the Jackhammer shotgun is the ability to quickly change the barrel. To do this, you need to remove the muzzle, rotate the barrel 90 degrees around its axis and remove it forward along with the return spring. Then insert the new barrel, rotate it 90 degrees so that it engages the drive rod, then put the recoil spring on the barrel and install the muzzle in place.

To supply the Jackhammer, two types of magazines were provided. The first type had ordinary chambers designed for special reinforced 12-gauge cartridges. After removal from the weapon, such a magazine could be freed from empty cartridges and reloaded with cartridges. The second type of magazine must be loaded at the factory, with gunpowder, projectile (buckshot, bullet, etc.) and primer loaded directly into the drum, without cartridges. The fully loaded drum ("Ammo Cassette") was hermetically packaged in plastic film and was to be delivered to users in this form. Before loading, the shooter had to tear off the plastic wrapping from the drum and load it into the weapon, and after using up all the charges, throw it away (or, if the situation allows, save it for later return to the factory for reloading).

Based on such stores, Andersen also developed a special anti-personnel mine Bear Trap, which was a fuse attached to the store. When it was triggered, charges from all chambers were fired simultaneously, creating the effect of a directed fragmentation mine.

Caliber - 12th hunting
Length, mm 787
Barrel length, mm 525
Weight without cartridges, kg 4.57
Drum capacity, no. 10 rounds
Rate of fire, rds/min 240
Sighting range, m 40

Single fire is achieved by jerky trigger pulls and a low rate of fire. The safety lever is located above the handle, on the left side of the weapon. When turned on, it blocks the trigger rod and trigger. The sight is open and consists of a rail closed on the sides, like on hunting rifles.

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