New shotgun to be fielded in Afghanistan

Army News Service | October 7, 2003 | By SPC Brian Trapp

[mark502inf]

FORT BENNING, Ga. Dismounted Battlespace Battle Lab’s lightweight shotgun system is undergoing operational inspection and test firing for 200 shotguns to be fielded to the 10th Mountain Division for future use in Afghanistan.

The 10th Mountain will field the lightest variation of the 12-gauge shotgun system, which attaches under the M-4 carbine and weighs 2 pounds, 11 ounces — less than the M-203 grenade launcher.

The system is a five-round, box-magazine-fed, manually operated shotgun. It uses a straight push-pull type bolt action that can be switched for either left or right-handed users. The attachment variation is 16.5 inches in length and uses the host weapon’s sights. It is capable of firing lethal, non-lethal and breaching rounds.

The shotgun stand-alone version is converted from the attachable version. It has a pistol grip and a butt stock. The stand-alone weighs 4 pounds, 3 ounces and is 24 inches long, collapsed.

This version also has a reversible charging handle and is capable of firing lethal, non-lethal and breaching rounds.

The original system was a prototype for proof of concept, said Mike Barnes, chief, Robotics Division, DBBL. The one being fielded applied lessons learned from the first iterations of testing to make them more reliable in the field.

“We have identified a couple of areas for minor changes that we are doing on site,” said Mike Kennedy, project officer, DBBL. “In the future, from what we’ve found here, the designer can make these changes in manufacturing to make it an overall better shotgun.”

The minor adjustments included polishing some of the parts to reduce friction.

“When this system is fielded, we will know every shotgun is in good working order,” he said. “They will be ready to go into the hands of soldiers for operational use.”

When the testing is finished, about 15,000 rounds will be fired through the 200 systems going to the field.

“Out of 200 weapons, I’ve fired about 50 of them and I’m confident in the system,” said Staff Sgt. William Partin, instructor, Light Fighter School, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

“I think it’s a great weapon system, being able to attach to the M-4 and as a stand-alone,” he said. “I like that it’s light. This is the lightest weapon I’ve carried in the Army besides a pistol. It weighs just about nothing.”

Soldiers can use the shotgun as an all-around tool in an urban environment, Barnes said. They can use the non-lethal and breaching capabilities, and the big advantage is that they don’t have to sling their primary weapon to do it.

“Think about what’s going on in the world right now,” said Staff Sgt. Tito Zelada, instructor, Light Fighter School, 10th Mountain Div.

“You have combatants and noncombatants together in a crowd and (the non-lethal capability) is a good way to neutralize them, whether or not they are armed.”

“Numerous units in the field expressed the need for a tool like this,” Barnes said. “I think it will get a lot of use.”

“I thought the Remington 870, what we teach with, was sufficient but this gives us the upper hand on the way we breach,” Partin said. “It’s more accessible and easier than having to switch weapons.”

Cost for the system is yet to be determined, because it is dependent on production quantities.

(Editor’s note: Spc. Brian Trapp is a staff writer for the Fort Benning Bayonet newspaper.)

[mark502inf]

The Home of the Infantry is giving the guys what they need!

[Support Free Republic]

Got a minute?

I'd really like you to rub my ears,
or help out FR.

[niteowl77]

the Remington 870, what we teach with

I thought Uncle had gone over to the Mossbergs.

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

Photo available?

I'd like to compare it to my SPAS-12.

[MHGinTN]

Pix? Sounds great! Lots of different rounds now available in 12 guage.

[dennisw]

It'll be nicknamed the Taliban Stopper.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Why don't they just use the "Masterkey?" I guess there must be some weight savings.

[Herodotus]

How does the addition of the weight in the front change the balance for the weapon for the user? Clearly it must, but as a gun novice, I have no way of understanding how.

[LibKill]

I LIKE IT!

Shotgun for close-combat hot-sh-t situations, rifle for more deliberate firing.

And in the same weapon!

This is just an ad-on, but it may lead to better weapon systems.

Note this, geeky weapon enginneers. NO BATTERIES NEEDED!

[Trailerpark Badass]

It's ungainly, but not really any worse than a M203. For breaching operations you probably only need one per squad, though. I'd be curious to see this new gun; haven't heard anything about it.

[joesnuffy]

trading 80 lbs of ole fashioned heavy gear...
for 80 lbs of lt wt gear..
KISS

[Trailerpark Badass]

Please note that the weapon pictured is NOT the one mentioned in the article, but something already produced by Knights Armament Co.

I wouldn't want to shoot too many buckshot rounds through a 4 lb. gun, though.

[SJSAMPLE]

That thing's nothing more than a return to the "Master Key" concept. It was intended as a door-breaching (lock and hinges) device, but fell out of favor because it adds unnecessary weight to a CQB rifle and isn't that easy to use, considering it's slung below the rifle barrel and doesn't have a grip of its own.

Big mistake. A pistol-gripped short-barreled shotgun, like a modified Remington or a Mossberg, with a side saddle load would make much more sense, and has. The Ranger Battalions used the short shotgun to great effect for many years.

They'd be far better off slinging a shotgun to be used for entry. I suspect the return to the "Master Key" will actually be a step towards "Less Lethal" munitions for riot control.

[LibKill]

Good points.

Let's take a Marine Rifle Squad, circa 1981 (back when I was in uniform). Don't take away anything, just add one big Chicago Polack, and give him a full-auto 12guage with a 25-round drum magazine.

[mark502inf]

Classic infantry dilemma for the troops in Afghanistan--need a rifle for longer range, accurate fires across the valleys and from hilltop to hilltop, but also need a door breacher and short range weapon with stopping power for in the villages & houses and caves. Carry two weapons, or have specialists in each squad or come up with this over/under hybrid? I'm just glad to see them working at the problem and trying to give the field soldiers what they're asking for.

[Orangedog]

Give me a P90 any day of the week ;)

[Blood of Tyrants]

Actually, they have bought a semi-auto shotgun from Benelli.

[SJSAMPLE]

But I don't think anyone is actually ASKING for this. I mean, they tried it and everybody hated it because they knew they could have a pistol-gripped shotgun that would really do the trick.

I think somebody found these in storage, and rather than buy new shotguns, they handed out these.

[niteowl77]

I have seen pictures of the military's new Benellis, but haven't seen one in the flesh yet (or the civilian version with the "pinched" magazine for that matter). I really hadn't heard much about the 870 in uniform lately, so this kind of surprised me.

[GunRunner]

Have you ever shot one? Legally?