(Guns & Ammo / December 1994)
A Close Look at the Fighting Scattergun Quintet That Has Battled Its
Way Through This Century and Into the Next!!
Normally, selecting a top five or top ten of anything requires a
great deal of deliberation and often compromise. One must judiciously weigh
pros and cons to develop a cogent selection that will generate as little
controversy as possible among those in the know. However, such was not
the case when I made my selection of the top five combat shotguns. My
decision was almost simultaneous with the question.
In my opinion then, the top five combat shotguns from the origination of
the genre to the present are, in order of appearance, the Winchester
M97, Winchester M12, Remington M870, Beneli Super 90 M1/3 and the Mossberg
M590 Series. Let's examine each a little more closely.
WINCHESTER M97
Designed by John M. Browning as a product-improved variant of the
pre-existing Model 93, the Model 97 Winchester was a classic design
that almost single handedly led American shotgunners from the era of the
double guns into the modern age of mechanical repeaters. In fact, more than
one million of these guns were produced by Winchester over a nearly 60-year
production period.
Officially adopted in World War I, the Winchester "Trench Gun, Model
1917" utilized the pre-existing Model 97 Winchester shotgun with a number of
"improvements" specifically designed for warfare. These included a
ventilated steel overbarrel handguard and a Springfield Armory W-type
bayonet adapter, designed to accept the then-numerous Model 1917 Enfield
bayonet.
The Model 1917 trench gun featured a 20-inch cylinder bore barrel and a
five-shot magazine. The action was bottom-loading and side-ejecting. As
the gun used an exposed hammer, no secondary safety was necessary. The
inertia-locking slide was retracted by first pressing the trigger, then
sliding the fore-end forward and then to the rear. Government-purchased
Model 97s were of the earlier, solid-frame variety. Unfortunately, the
trench gun order also included Model 12s and the numbers were never
separated. It is believed that of the 19,196 trench guns delivered to
themilitary during WWI, two-thirds were Model 97s.
The Model 97 trench gun was capable of tremendous firepower. Issued
to AEF soldiers with paper-hulled 00 buckshot loads holding nine pellets,
the 97 could lay down 54 .33-caliber projectiles in a matter of seconds
simply by holding back the trigger and rapidly working the slide, as the gun
did not have a trigger disconnector.
Today's owner of a Model 97 trench gun is armed with a fighting arm
that has stood the test of time. Apart from their short 2 3/4-inch
chambers, these guns are as versatile and deadly today as they were almost a
century ago.
WINCHESTER MODEL 12
This streamlined, internal-hammer shotgun is quite simply an American
classic. Original Model 12s of all variations continue to command high
prices, and the popularity of the gun is such that Browning Arms recently
reintroduced it in smallbore configuration.
First appearing in 20 gauge in 1912, the Model 12 helped fill the
Army's order for nearly 20,000 Winchester trench guns in 1918. However, at
the onset of WWII, Model 12 trench and riot guns were again called to
service. During this conflict, more than 80,000 guns were ordered by the U.S.
Government, and best estimates show that 6,000-plus were outfitted as full
blown trench guns.
The Model 12 remained the preferred standard-issue military shotgun
well into the 1960s. The guns served with distinction in Vietnam and were
eventually replaced by Remington M870s and Winchester Model 1200s.
Like the Model 97, the Model 12 combat shotgun has a 20-inch cylinder
bore barrel and a five-shot magazine tube. While the slide lock is of
the inertia type, the Model 12, like the Model 97, has a specific
slide-lock release button mounted at the rear of the trigger-guard on the left
side. The action is operated by first pressing the release button, working
the slide forward to unlock and then to the rear, exposing the chamber.
The action is bottom-feeding and side-ejecting. Model 12 trench guns
featured the steel handguard and bayonet adapter just like the M97's. Also like
the M97, the Model 12 does not have a trigger disconnector, so shells can
be fired as fast as you can work the fore-end, while keeping the trigger
depressed.
REMINGTON M870
Introduced in 1950, Remingon's reasonably priced Model 870 slide-action
repeater quickly became America's darling, supplanting the popular but
increasingly expensive Model 12. Almost as fast, the Remington also
became the favorite of American law enforcement and military, being the
shotgun of choice for the armed professional. For decades now, the
Model 870 has been the combat shotgun against which all others are judged.
The basic 970 or 870P is a true-to-form riot or combat gun, available
in a number of barrel lengths from 14 to 20 inches, with three to seven-round
magazines. A bottom-feeding, side-ejecting design, the Model 870 also
features a choice of fixed hardwood or synthetic stocks and, until
recently, a folding steel buttstock was available to civilians as well.
A choice of sights is also available for this pump gun, these being a
simple brass bead or rifle sights for the slug shooter. Aftermarket "ghost
ring" sights can be found from a number of suppliers.
The Remington Model 870 has acquired a very well-deserved reputation for
rugged durability and considerable dependability. Also, the guns have been
taken to an even higher form by Scattergun Technologies, which transforms
a basic 870 barreled action into the ne-plus-ultra of slide action combat
shotguns.
Scattergun Technologies' Model 870s can be fitted with a host of
practical, tactical accessories, to include Parkerized metal finish,
adjustable ghost-ring rear sight teamed to a highly visible ramp front
sight with luminous insert, an extended magazine tube holding seven
rounds, a Sidesaddle shell holder mounted to the left side of the receiver
that holds six extra shells, a synthetic buttstock and fore-end, a high-
visibility non-binding magazine follower, a jumbo-head safety button, a
three-way adjustable sling and swivels and various flashlight and laser
sight options. In total, Scattergun Tech offers 10 variants of the Model
870, many of which are sold to U.S. law enforcement, including the Border
Patrol.
BENELLI M1/M3
In my opinion, this series of autoloaders exemplifies the most highly
evolved combat shotgun from a technological standpoint. Beginning with
the M121M1 guns of more than a decade ago, this original design gave way
to the improved Super 90 guns, to which the M1 and M3 guns belong. Using
a highly reliable inertia-recoil method of operation in tandem with a
multi-lug rotating bolt, the Benelli M1/M3 guns are not subject to the
reliability shortcomings inherent in many gas-operated autoloading
designs. In addition, the cyclic rate of the Benellis is extremely fast.
The basic M1 Super 90 is available in a number of variations involving barrel
lengths (all with three-inch chambers) including a 14-inch-barreled Entry
model. Sights include standard bead, rifle sights, ghost-ring sights, laser
and flashlight models. Magazine capacity is five or seven rounds,
depending upon barrel length. Fixed, pistolgrip and folding synthetic stocks
are also available.
The M3 is a special variant designed to be used as either a semi-auto or
slide action. The slide action is intended to fire and eject specialty
munitions that will not cycle through a semi-auto action.
The Benelli guns are very user friendly, and their autoloading operation
gives them a number of tactical advantages over the older slide-action
designs. The Benellis are truly state-of-the-art combat shotguns.
MOSSBERG M500 SERIES
The Mossberg M590 is the latest military-adopted design, beginning with
the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in 1987. The Model 590 uses the reliable
Model 500 slide action, featuring dual action bars. A ventilated
overbarrel steel handguard is standard, as are Mossberg's own ghost-ring
sights.
The primary feature of the Model 590 is its nine-round (2 3/4-inch
shells) magazine capacity, linked to a 20-inch, cylinder bore barrel.
Yet another modernization is the 590's synthetic buttstock and fore-end.
Both blued and Parkerized variants of the M590 are currently available, as
are other M500 combat-shotgun variants with differing barrel lengths and
other features.
The M500 series of combat guns features an easily accessible tang-mounted
sliding safety, which I personally prefer to the traditional crossbolt/
triggerguard setup. The slide lock is to the rear of the triggerguard,
on the left side.
A bottom-loading side-ejecting design, the M500 series guns use modern
lightweight aluminum receivers. The bolt then mates to a steel barrel
extension to create rugged steel-to-steel lockup.
THE BOTTOM LINE
In choosing a combat shotgun today, the reader could not go far wrong
with any of my "Top 5" choices. The Winchester gns are truly timeless,
offering the same degree of reliability and strength that forged their
combat reputation in the early days of this century. While not inexpensive,
these guns, even if purchased today, will deliver both reliable service
and a wise investment.
Remington's Model 870 and Scattergun Tech variants are excellent guns,
particularly the later guns as they provide tactical features that have
been well thought out by professionals.
Mossberg's M500 series of guns will give you great performance at a
veryaffordable price, built as they are to current, stringent military
specifications.
And finally, no one would argue the fact that the Benelli M1/M3 guns
areconsidered by many -- myself included -- to be the Rolls-Royces of the
combat shotgun genre, but you'll pay for what you get, and $800-plus is
alot for most folks to pay for a home-security shotgun. But, if you've
gotit, spend it on a Benelli and I seriously doubt you'll be dissatisfied.
No matter what you select finally, my top five combat shotguns are
winners over all!
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