Why Does The US Military Still Use Pump Shotguns?

Useful for putting down stray, 3rd-world dogs and (with the correct frangible ammo) breaching locked doors. It is a specialty tool. The pump versus semi argument is like the revolver versus pistol. When absolute reliability is required you go with the revolver and the pump. Semi's are prone to failure at the worst possible moment. None of it means squat however, without adequate training on the firearm(s) in question. Not just the basics, but running and gunning with tactical reloads behind cover. A "gunfighter" program for the shotgun, if you will.... that is the level of proficiency required by any and all who may have to wield what amounts to a "hey you" weapon within the Section/Squad.
 
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The best weapon is often the one you have.

Especially in military service, replacing an entire line of weapons, for instance replacing pumps with autos, is not worth the cost when one considers the increased effectiveness of the new system.
 
Bartok5 said:
Useful for putting down stray, 3rd-world dogs and (with the correct frangible ammo) breaching locked doors. It is a specialty tool. The pump versus semi argument is like the revolver versus pistol. When absolute reliability is required you go with the revolver and the pump. Semi's are prone to failure at the worst possible moment. None of it means squat however, without adequate training on the firearm(s) in question. Not just the basics, but running and gunning with tactical reloads behind cover. A "gunfighter" program for the shotgun, if you will.... that is the level of proficiency required by any and all who may have to wield what amounts to a "hey you" weapon within the Section/Squad.
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"Hey you" weapon?
 
Heliian said:
I think they're referring to the grip on the forestock but ya, the original trench guns had a bayonet.
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That "grip on the forestock" is the pump part of "pump-action shotgun". Pull back to eject the spent shell and bring the next round out of the magazine tube onto the lifter, then push forward to chamber it. With the old Winchester 1897 trench gun you could just hold the trigger down and slam-fire each round as it went into battery, which was customary in WWI close-quarter battle, and of course the hand action came naturally to young male soldiers who hadn't even seen a woman in weeks. And then you were out of ammo and the bayonet came in useful.
 
Painkillers said:
"Hey you" weapon?
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A weapon that any Section member can be expected to grab and employ as circumstances dictate, in addition to their personal weapon. The Section Shotgun, M72 66mm Rockets, Hand Frag Grenades and standard Pyrotechnics (Parachute Flares, Surface Trip-Flares, Smoke Grenades), all qualify as "Hey You" weapons or devices. As in (literally) - "Hey You! Grab the shotgun and breach that door!"
 
Bartok5 said:
Useful for putting down stray, 3rd-world dogs and (with the correct frangible ammo) breaching locked doors. It is a specialty tool. The pump versus semi argument is like the revolver versus pistol. When absolute reliability is required you go with the revolver and the pump. Semi's are prone to failure at the worst possible moment.
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Makes me wonder, are there any situations where Canada still uses revolvers? Or maybe other NATO allies? Feels like something the Russians or 3rd world countries might do because of money or supply reasons but are any western nations still using them?

I feel like I've heard talk of the ERT guys with shields using them?
 
Bartok5 said:
A weapon that any Section member can be expected to grab and employ as circumstances dictate, in addition to their personal weapon. The Section Shotgun, M72 66mm Rockets, Hand Frag Grenades and standard Pyrotechnics (Parachute Flares, Surface Trip-Flares, Smoke Grenades), all qualify as "Hey You" weapons or devices. As in (literally) - "Hey You! Grab the shotgun and breach that door!"
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Thank you. Lol.
 
old303 said:
That "grip on the forestock" is the pump part of "pump-action shotgun". Pull back to eject the spent shell and bring the next round out of the magazine tube onto the lifter, then push forward to chamber it. With the old Winchester 1897 trench gun you could just hold the trigger down and slam-fire each round as it went into battery, which was customary in WWI close-quarter battle, and of course the hand action came naturally to young male soldiers who hadn't even seen a woman in weeks. And then you were out of ammo and the bayonet came in useful.
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The whole "slam fire" thing has been tested and found to be stupid and ineffective. It is not faster than a conventional pump shotgun but it is definitely less effective because it results in the muzzle being jerked around in the process.
 
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