Riot Gun Configuration: Is It Ever Desirable?

[skb12172]

For your HD/Truck Shotgun? They are so common, it makes me wonder.

[PawPaw]

You're going to have to define "riot gun". I've got a shotgun that I've used for twenty years, a basic Rem870 police, wood furniture, rifle sights. And in those days, the 20" barrel was fashionable.



That's the shotgun I've carried for two decades and I've used that same type for many, many years before that.

However, back in the day, the guards at Louisiana State Penitentiary used long-barreled Ithaca shotguns for keeping overwatch on the recreation yard. Those barrels had to be 28"-30" and they got carried daily and shot when a riot occurred in the yard. Just FYI, at that same time, the standard rifle was an iron-sighted Winchester 94. All the horse-guards carried Win94s in the scabbard under their leg.

Nowadays, barrels as short as 14" are common in police work, but they're more likely to be used for room clearing than for "riot" duty.

[randy]

My house gun is a Mossberg 500 with a factory 18.5" barrel and full stock.

I've considered it (or another one so configured) for a truck gun as I live in a close in suburb and work in an urban area, so SHTF E&E would likely be close range, no more than 100 yards. Ammo availability and flexibility attractive.

Now that Ohio has changed it's laws about loaded magazines (used to be loaded magazine= loaded rifle=illegal), I'm thinking back towards an M-4gery. But a cheaper mossy wouldn't be as much of a loss if the car is broken into. Don't have a spare of either for that task full time right now. I'm comfortable and familiar with both not only for shooting but for immediate action drills on stoppages.

I've even shot a few rounds of skeet with that configuration just for S&Gs. Devastating on clay pigeons coming at or away from you (stations 1,7 and 8), not so much with the crossing targets (stations 3,4,5)

I could live with such a shotgun as a truck gun if needed.

[skb12172]

For the purposes of this thread, Riot Gun = Pistol grip, no stock, short barrel.

[randy]

My personal opinion, the pistol grip [strike]stock[/strike] is good for a VERY limited set of scenarios, none of which I intend to be involved with, and none of which apply in a SHTF E&E scenario you typically think of with a truck gun. And certainly not in an HD role.

I fired one magazine in my Mossberg using the pistol grip that came with it, and promptly replaced it with a real stock and buried the pistol grip in the junk pile somewhere.

I want to hit what I aim at. At longer than knife fight distances. And I want the last resort of butt stroking the SOB if needed.

(Edited to make clear I'm referring to just a pistol grip. Have never fired a pistol gripped stock, fixed, M-4 type or folding, so have no input on that.)

[skb12172]

Convincingly stated. Thank you, Sir.

[PawPaw]

For the purposes of this thread, Riot Gun = Pistol grip, no stock, short barrel.

Yeah... you have fun with that.

[bubblewhip]

For the purposes of this thread, Riot Gun = Pistol grip, no stock, short barrel.

No, I personally think it is irresponsible for people to use that setup as there is no proper way of aiming for it. A lot of people subscribe the hip firing method with these guns, and I shake my head as spray and pray is not what I want to use neither my next door neighbor or other family members want me using.

Now, Pistol grip, no stock, and really short barrel like 6 inches? Really good breaching tool.

[Steamforger]

I've shot a couple dozen clay pidgeons with one. It was an interesting excercise, but not one I recommend. I believe that day was 2-3/4 low brass and it still smarted.

[bubblewhip]

If you want the compactness, there are a ton of side folding stocks that allow you to shoot in a "riot gun" fashion and compactness, while still giving you the flexibility of a shoulder stock. They are not necessarily good shoulder stocks like wire folders, but at least you have one.