#Shotguns

The mostly shotgun accessary company Mesa Tactical, based out of California is partnering up with Beretta USA to bring their popular Urbino pistol grip stock to the 1301 line of tactical shotguns. This is an interested development because previously the 1301 was not offered with a pistol grip stock, but a more traditional in line stock. In addition, Mesa Tactical is a comparably small company to Beretta, and having some of their components on the market with Beretta firearms could really push them out of the current area they in right now as a small company, in a good way.

It’s a match made in duck-hunting heaven: JEBS Precision Choke Tubes and Duck Commander are teaming up, just in time for the coming season. If you want to give your hunting an edge this year, you might consider a new choke, and JEBS chokes are considered leaders in the field.

To someone not versed in fine shotguns, it can be a little overwhelming when confronted with the variety of special terminology, from English damascus boxlocks, to the subject of a recent Shooting Sportman article, the “skeletal” or “bar-in-wood” shotgun:

Just in time for hunting season Stevens is coming out with some new additions to their 320 line: 20-gauge pump shotguns. The new additions include four models in two field-grade and two security versions. The field-grade versions come in both standard and youth-size.

Kalashnikov USA has come out with a press release stating their new products are ready for sale/shipping in the United States, under the new banner “Russian Heritage/ American Innovation”. The company is not directly connected with Kalashnikov Concern (more about that below). Specifically released are some rifle models, the 7.62×39  US132 (which has odd presets for “109, 218, and 328 yards”, the US132SS has a pistol grip and rails), the 7.62×39 US132Z (has a trigger magazine release) and two shotguns, a tactical one, and a more conventional Izhesvk style, both in 12 gauge. Not entirely sure on which parts of the firearms are made in the US, or which parts are being imported into the US from Russia (or if the receivers are perhaps left overs from the Russian imports before sanctions), or if any of it is even imported due to the sanctions. Either way, there is a fair amount of CAA parts in use, it even says this on the website, that the two seem to be in a partnership for that reason. No word on pricing in the release or on the website but it should be available through the dealers listed.

Browning is known for their long guns, and if you shoot trap or just want a well-made gun for target shooting, they have two new models coming out you might be interested in. The Citori 725 line is being expanded to include the Pro Sporting and Pro Trap shotgun, each of which has been designed for proper balance improved aiming. Shooting trap involves the need to mount your shotgun to your shoulder in one smooth motion while getting your gun on target for a quick, accurate shot, and Browning has created these guns for just that. In addition to their carefully designed balance point these guns have triggers with the lightest pull weight ever for this particular model and an improved choke system for better patterning.

Shotguns have been the preferred home-defense weapon for some time now due in large part to their enormous power. Not only can a 12-gauge shotgun breach walls and blow the locks off doors, it can disable a vehicle with a well-placed slug. Of course, when pellets are fired from a shotgun the resulting pattern can vary widely, which is why it’s important to pattern your shotgun with various loads. There’s one specific way to a
affect the outcome of a round fired from a shotgun. and that’s by installing a choke.

Rock Island Auction company has slowly but steadily gained an overwhelming presence in the shooting industry since the company’s start in the 1990s. For their most recent premiere auction, TFB went to check them out and see what we could find out about the company and what makes them so effective at auctioning small arms. We’re not so interested in the content, Ian from Forgotten Weapons does a great enough job at that already, as we are in how exactly the auction works.

Shotguns have long been favored by many gun owners for home defense and are also used by the military and law enforcement for tactical purposes. After all it isn’t just about the shotgun’s ability to punch a massive hole in its target, they’re also handy for breaching walls, blowing the locks off doors, and, with the right load, disabling vehicles. When it comes to compelling force, the shotgun is perhaps the most universally understood firearm. There’s never any doubt just what kind of damage a 12-gauge can inflict.

If you’re a turkey hunter, the Winchester SX3 Long Beard Turkey shotgun is being made in a new camo pattern that should interest you. It’s now available in Mossy Oak Break Up Country, which is a new pattern from the camo giant set to hit the shelves in clothing form around June 2015.

Legacy has come out with a new camouflage pattern that’s sure to garner interest from hunters. It’s called Yote, which is short for Coyote, and is designed to mimic the fur of the aforementioned predator. New camo patterns are always interesting and this one promises to raise interest and create discussion as to its effectiveness. As a hunter myself I’m always interested in the best possible ways to blend in and take down game without giving myself away, and that makes Yote worth a closer look.

Tristar, a company whose main purpose is importing firearms and whose five-year shotgun warranty bears mentioning, is adding to their Viper G2 line. The semi-auto shotgun line already comes in black, silver, wood, and a variety of camouflage patterns, and with this new addition it’ll include bronze.

TriStar, an importer of firearms from several Turkish factories, was showing off its lineup of budget shotguns and pistols at the 2015 SHOT Show:

Firearms Ignorance of the masses…

Whenever a conflict occurs, whether it be war, police related, or terrorism, the politics aside it is always interesting from a shooting perspective to view what the concerned parties are using. Sometimes it is extremely revealing in the case of the SAS using MP5s in the Iranian embassy hostage rescue, famously known as the International debut of the MP5. Other times pictures in media show what was previously unknown or unseen such as the AK-74s in Afghanistan written about by a Soldier of Fortune reporter who brought the then mysterious AK-74 back to the States. Other examples can be seen on this blog in the case of small arms in use in Syria. With the recent up-rest in Ferguson, the arms of the local police forces are in the media on an international basis almost daily at this point.