Shotgun Training is a must for all applications of this gun.
Shotgun shooting is great fun and you can do it in many forms and locations in Colorado. Pueblo and the surrounding area have much availability for hunting, trap, skeet, and sporting clay shooting. Shotguns are available in many sizes and gauges. Many beginners choose to shoot a 20ga shotgun for learning and then move up to a 12ga with a little more experience. I started as a youngster with a 20ga and as time went on I moved to a 12ga shotgun. I still own and enjoy shooting 20ga shotguns in some circumstances.
Shotgun Training is a must for shooting different applications. At the recent NRA Woman on Target event held at Cactus Flats in Penrose Colorado and sponsored by Pueblo Municipal Shooters, we had a large selection of shotguns that everyone could try. Combat and Home Protection shotgun shooting practice can be done at Republic Shooting Range as well as sporting clays which is great fun.
I will be offering the NRA Shotgun Training Course as well as Home Defense Shotgun Course this year to anyone that is interested.
When considering a shotgun there are several important factors to keep in mind:
The Equipment
Gauge – 12 gauge is the most common and the ammo selection is much better. 20 gauge is a great gun but sometimes is over rated by some people.
Barrel Length – 18-23 inches is a typical length depending on application. Maneuverability for indoors may require a shorter barrel. Longer barrel lengths may be needed to hunt or shoot many of the shotgun games. Shorter barrels under 18″ may be harder to control and have legality issues.
Pump vs Semi-Auto – Pump shotguns are very reliable but require manual operation between shots. Semi-autos can fire faster but may be more prone to malfunctions. Many like pump shotguns for some defensive situations. Others like semi-autos for some of the games like sporting clays.
Sights – Ghost ring or rifle-style sights are preferable for short range defensive situations. Bead sights have been a standard for hunting and target sports for quick target acquisition.
Capacity – 3 shells is common capacity and the law for hunters. Higher capacities can be handy for home defense and target sports but make the shotgun longer and heavy.
Stock – Pistol grip stocks are very popular and hard to shoot without proper training. Standard stocks of the right length will serve you well in most situations. Recoil absorption is also important.
Accessories – Side saddles, lights, and slings along with recoil pads can all be useful additions depending on needs.
The Ammunition
Proper ammunition like birdshot, buckshot or quality defensive slugs is also crucial depending on your application. Overall, shotguns make formidable home defense weapons when set up properly. Significant shotgun training is highly recommended for these application as well.
As you can see there are numerous choices that you can make for your shotgun. Most of these choices depends on the application of the gun. Shotgun Training is a must if you are shooting target sports or using the gun for home defense.
Also, see the new Home Defense Shotgun Mini-Course
or Contact me for the Shotgun Training you need