How to Hold a Tactical Shot Gun

Learn how to properly hold a tactical shotgun.

Shotguns are great tools for hunting, sport shooting and are used in many applications by law enforcement. Tactical shotguns are generally used by military and law-enforcement personnel, and are typically shorter than most shotguns used by hunters. These weapons are used in riot control, and in close-quarter combat. They are capable of firing non-lethal projectiles such as bean-bag rounds, or foam rubber knock-down rounds. Holding and carrying a tactical shotgun is usually learned in law enforcement or military training, but can be easily taught to other individuals interested in learning how to properly carry a tactical shotgun.

Instructions

1. Hold your shotgun at the end of the butt-stock with your dominant hand. Place your hand around the contoured grip area, and curl your fingers under the smaller portion of the stock. Keep your finger straight and off of the trigger. Some tactical shotguns do not have a full butt-stock, and some have a pistol grip. If this is the type of shotgun you own, simply grab the handle and keep your finger straight and off the trigger.

2. Pull your hand up to your right or left pectoral. Right pectoral for right-handed shooters, and left for left-handed shooters. Grab the pump guard-rail with your other hand.

3. Bring your less-dominant hand up slightly, so that the shotgun is pointing slightly at the ground, but can easily be drawn up to aim and fire. This is referred to as the tactical position, because the barrel is ready to be moved quickly into the firing position. It allows you to maintain a small profile with your body.

4. Bring the weapon up to eye level when you are ready to shoot by pulling your less-dominant hand up to an aiming position. Always keep the dominant hand upon the chest while you walk around and patrol with the shotgun.

Tips & Warnings

• Never point a shotgun at anything that you do not intend to shoot or kill.

References

• Ashland Lake Gun Club: Tactical Shotgun Rules
• Shoot Safe Learning: Tactical Shotgun Course
• Night Hawk Tactical: Tactical Shotguns