Pump or Semi-Automatic: Which Tactical Shotgun is Better? Assault with pomp. The five most effective combat shotguns The technical side of the issue

Pictured above is the UTAS UTS-15 tactical shotgun, a special smooth-bore weapon created by Turkish gunsmiths for police and military personnel. Further we will tell you more about it ...

In more than 800 years of evolution, handguns from heavy muzzle-loading guns to modern tactical shotguns. We will talk about the latter today.

Choosing a smoothbore weapon: 10 modern tactical shotguns

Kel-Tec KSG

Shotgun Kel-Tec KSG was developed by Kel-Tec in 2011 and was shown at the Shot Show the same year, gaining immediate popularity.

The main feature of this shotgun is that it is made according to the bullpup scheme and reloads due to the longitudinally sliding forend. In this case, loading is carried out from two tubular magazines located under the barrel of the weapon. The operator himself chooses from which - left or right magazine to feed cartridges. A special switch located at the bottom of the receiver serves for this purpose.

The forend of the shotgun is made of impact-resistant plastic and is connected to the bolt by means of two steel rods. Fuse smooth-bore weapons have a push-button, and is located on both sides of the fire control handle. This allows both right-handers and left-handers to use it equally conveniently.

To expand the functionality, two strips are installed on the shotgun - one above the receiver - for installing all kinds of sights, the other - on the forearm. It allows you to install a front grip, laser targeting device or tactical flashlight on the gun.

SRM Model 1216

Gun SRM Model 1216 was presented by SRM Arms in 2008 as a compact and mobile civilian shotgun. It is distinguished by its light weight and short barrel length (only 457 mm). At the same time, the main features of this weapon are the semi-free breechblock and the special design of the store.

As for the first, it is made by analogy with the bolts on many modern submachine guns (such as the MP-5, G-3 and others). In this case, slowing down the opening of the shutter is carried out using a pair of special rollers.

As for the store, it is made tubular, four-section (sections, each of which can hold 4 cartridges, are placed in parallel on a rotating drum). In this case, shooting is carried out only from the upper store. After it is empty, the drum turns and the shooting continues.

While developing the SRM Model 1216 smoothbore weapon, the creators wanted to create it as light as possible, as a result of which the body, stock and forend of the gun were made of plastic. As for the sight, the basic version of the weapon does not have any sights preinstalled, but there are Picatinny rails that allow the owner to set any "body kit" to his taste.

UTAS UTS-15

This super popular 12 gauge smoothbore weapon was created by UTAS (Turkey) in 2011 as the primary shotgun used by the police and the military. Further UTAS UTS-15 hit the civilian market).

The gun was made according to the bullpup scheme with a movable forend reloading. The magazine of the shotgun is paired, for 12 rounds (in this case, it is possible to choose the supply of cartridges from the left tube, from the right tube, or alternately, which is quite convenient). It is worth noting that the designers have made great efforts to ensure that the gun reloads equally confidently from any position (wedges and stubs on this shotgun are absent in principle).

To lighten the overall weight of the weapon, its body is made of impact-resistant plastic, additionally reinforced with fiberglass. This provides the gun with resistance not only to longitudinal loads, but also to transverse impacts.

The barrel on the shotgun is chrome-plated, the chokes are replaceable. The manual (non-automatic) safety lock is located on the left side of the gun, near the pistol grip. For greater convenience, Picatinny rails are also located on the upper part and forend, allowing you to install any sights and accessories on the shotgun.

Vepr-12

The shotgun (smoothbore carbine) Vepr-12 is made on the basis of the Kalashnikov light machine gun and has the most similar design to its progenitor. The only major changes that were applied during its development are the inability to conduct automatic fire and the alteration of the bolt and barrel for the use of 12-gauge shot cartridges.

This shotgun has long been recognized throughout the world as a versatile and reliable hunting, sporting and tactical weapon.

Mossberg 500

Pump action shotgun Mossberg 500- one of the most popular and widespread, and according to some sources - the most widespread smooth-bore weapon in the world. It is distinguished by its simplicity and reliability of construction, convenience and ease of use.

The rifle is powered from a tubular under-barrel magazine, and the bolt is locked by moving the combat larva by the cutout inside the tail of the barrel.

The Mossberg 500 shotgun is built to withstand the toughest shots and can handle the toughest shots with ease. At the same time, it has a fairly low weight for a 12-gauge weapon (only 3 kg), which ensures its high mobility. This low weight is achieved thanks to the use of a receiver made of aluminum, as well as a pistol grip and butt made of impact-resistant plastic.

A characteristic feature of the Mossberg 500 Series pump action shotguns is a safety catch located at the top of the receiver - it is equally convenient for both right-handed and left-handed people.

Benelli M4 Super 90

Semi-automatic shotgun Benelli M4 Super 90- another contender for the title of universal tactical shotgun. It can be used with equal success by both hunters and employees of power units.

The main advantage of this shotgun in comparison with other semi-automatic rifles is its extremely high reliability - it is guaranteed to fire more than 25,000 shots from it without the need to replace any parts.

This smooth-bore weapon is equipped with a tubular magazine for 7 cartridges of 12 * 70 mm caliber (at the same time, 2 more cartridges can be loaded into it - one in the chamber, and the second on the feeder tray). If necessary, the Magnum cartridges (12 * 76 mm) can also be used in the shotgun.

An abundance of plastic parts (which reduce its total weight), a telescopic buttstock (already available in the basic configuration) and Weaver rails for installing sights at the owner's discretion give even greater convenience and versatility to the gun.

Remington 870

Smoothbore gun Remington 870 was first released to the general market in 1950 and has since remained one of the most famous and popular pump-action shotguns in the world.

This gun has a massive receiver, milled from a solid piece of steel, and has an extremely high reliability, as well as an equally massive barrel. The latter is made from 4140 weapon steel and has an increased wall thickness. This allows a guaranteed shotgun to fire more than 30,000 shots without noticeable wear or damage to the barrel.

The main feature of the Remington 870 rifle is its ease of use - it can be equipped with various pads, underbarrel devices, flashlights, additional handles, various types of collimator and optical sights, and much more. In addition, the standard compact fuse can also be replaced with an oversized fuse, which allows you to quickly bring the weapon into combat readiness.

It is also worth noting that in the basic version, this smooth-bore weapon is produced both with standard open rifle attachments, which are more preferable for shot firing, and with a rifle scope (front sight / rear sight).

FN SLP

The semi-automatic shotgun, developed by the Belgian company FN Herstal, embodies the concept of a versatile yet reliable police shotgun. It pays great attention to comfort and ergonomics. So, the stock and forend of this gun are made of plastic, and the receiver is made of a special aluminum alloy. For greater convenience of the shooter, the standard delivery set includes replaceable pads for the fire control handle, as well as butt pads for the butt of various thicknesses. All this allows you to adjust this weapon as accurately as possible "for yourself".

Sights on a shotgun FN SLP rifle type, high profile. At the same time, thanks to the bar located on the upper part of the box, it is possible to install collimator or optical sights of various types.

In conclusion, it should be noted that thanks to its convenience and reliability, the FN SLP shotgun won the title of "Shotgun of the Year 2009".

Benelli super black eagle ii

The Benelli Super Black Eagle II semi-automatic was released for the company's 25th anniversary and is a further reinterpretation of the famous Super Black Eagle shotgun, one of the most popular shotguns among game hunters around the world.

The new model has a barrel made of special steel and has undergone cryogenic treatment. The latter significantly increases the indicators of its durability and allows you to use the gun even in the most difficult conditions. The magazine on this gun is under-barrel, designed for 3 cartridges 12/89 supermagnum (it is possible to use cartridges with a shorter sleeve length).

An important aspect of this shotgun is its high ergonomics - in itself, this shotgun is very handy and has a small mass. For more comfort when shooting, a special shock absorber is installed on the butt plate, which allows you to shoot from this weapon for a long time even with magnum and supermagnum cartridges. Thanks to this, the Benelli Super Black Eagle II can be successfully used not only for hunting, but also for sports shooting.

Benelli supernova

Supernova is another model from the Benelli company, in the production of which gunsmiths and designers have placed maximum emphasis on the comfort and convenience of the shooter. So, the stock of this pump-action shotgun is made of special flexible, but at the same time very durable plastic that perfectly absorbs recoil energy. For greater efficiency, 12 slotted holes are made in the butt itself, giving it even better shock absorption properties. The butt plate of the high elasticity stock also plays a significant role in increasing shooting comfort. Thanks to the application of all the innovations listed above (combined together in a system called the ComfortTech), the creators of the gun were able to reduce the overall recoil impulse by more than 47%). Such indicators make it equally comfortable to shoot both conventional cartridges and magnum cartridges.

Shotgun Shank Benelli supernova made of temperature-resistant Rilsan polymer, over which a special Air Touch groove is applied, guaranteeing both a secure hold and maximum comfort for the shooter's hands. It protects the surfaces of the palms both from fogging and from the formation of calluses during prolonged use of weapons (for example, on a sports field).

As for the working properties of this gun, it is distinguished by a very high rate of fire for a shotgun and great reliability, which allows it to be used in all climatic and natural zones under a wide variety of weather conditions.

What kind of shotgun would you buy yourself? Or maybe you already have it? Tell us in the comments what justified your choice?

American automatic shotgun revolving type "Pancor Jackhammer" (literally translated as "jackhammer") is designed to arm the police and the army. There was also an option for arming combat swimmers, which differed from the standard version in that it had a sealed container for transporting weapons under water. On the civilian weapons market in most countries, the sale of Pancor Jackhammer is prohibited. The Jackhammer automatic combat shotgun was developed in 1978 by weapons designer John A. Anderson specifically as a military model. In 1984, Andersen patented the basic design, on the basis of which all further developments of this weapon went. The technical solutions implemented in the design of this gun were patented in the USA on December 1, 1987 under the numbers 4709617 and 4856410 and on January 4, 1990 in England under the numbers 2179429 and 2206188 ...

The main feature is the power supply of the gun with cartridges from a drum for 10 cartridges of 12 hunting caliber. Automation works by removing part of the powder gases from the bore, and resembles the drum rotation mechanism of the Webley-Fosbery revolver of 1896. The first Pancor Jackhammer model was released in 1985, the first tests were carried out in the 1990s. It was not adopted for service. The gun was initially advertised under the "sign" of the Pancor Corporation, and later - Mark Three Corporation (which had in its arsenal a number of no less original and equally unsuccessful developments in the field of small arms).

The Pancor Jackhammer shotgun is a bullpup shotgun - smooth-bore, built on the basis of a gas vent mechanism with a forward-movable barrel and power from detachable magazines - revolving-like drums. The automatic gas engine consists of a gas cylinder formed around the barrel and an annular gas piston rigidly mounted on the barrel. After firing, hot powder gases enter the gas cylinder through the hole in the barrel and, acting on the gas piston, push the movable barrel forward, compressing the return spring. In this case, the barrel first comes out of engagement with the fired chamber of the drum, and then through the longitudinally sliding lever located above the barrel (automatic drive rod) activates the reloading and cocking mechanism of the firing mechanism. Special oblique curly grooves are made on the outer surface of the store - the drum. These slots interact with two protrusions at the rear of the drive rod, causing the drum to rotate half a step clockwise, first when the rod (and barrel) moves forward and then backward. Thus, before the arrival of the barrel under the action of the return spring in the extreme rear position, the drum turns to the barrel with the next charged chamber. At the end of its return stroke, the barrel enters with its shank into the front part of the drum chamber, providing a sealed connection that prevents the powder gases from escaping outward. At the same time, the rear end of the drive rod cocks the striker firing mechanism. The gun has only an automatic mode of fire, the implementation of single shots is possible with a short pull on the trigger due to the relatively low rate of fire. Manual reloading for the first shot or in the event of a misfire is performed with a movable forend, moving forward and backward, while special hooks inside the forend pick up the barrel and move it back and forth, carrying out a full reloading cycle.

The change of magazines - drums (originally bearing the trademark "Ammo Cassette" - ammunition cassette) is also unusually made. To separate the magazine from the weapon, you need to squeeze the trigger halfway, and then push the movable fore-end forward until it stops. In this case, the barrel will go forward, disconnecting from the drum, the tubular axis of the store will also go forward from the drum, allowing it to freely fall out of the weapon. In the forward position, the forend and the barrel will be automatically locked by a special latch located in front of the trigger guard. Thus, holding the weapon with one hand by the pistol grip, the shooter with the other free hand can insert a new magazine into place and then release the fore-end by pressing the latch. In this case, the axis of the magazine will snap into place, the drive lever will automatically set one of the drum chambers opposite the barrel and then the barrel will enter this chamber with its rear part. The trigger will also be cocked automatically and the weapon will be ready for battle.

In the opening of the butt behind the store there is a handle connected to the drummer and allowing, if necessary, to manually cock the drummer or remove it from the combat cocking. Another feature of the Jackhammer is the ability to quickly change the barrel. To do this, you need to remove the muzzle, turn the barrel 90 degrees around its axis and pull it forward along with the return spring. Then insert the new barrel, rotate it 90 degrees so that it engages the drive rod, then slide the return spring onto the barrel and refit the muzzle.

There were two types of stores for Jackhammer catering. The first type had conventional chambers designed for special reinforced 12-gauge cartridges. After removing from the weapon, such a store could be freed from empty cases and re-equipped with cartridges. The second type of stores should be loaded at the factory, while the gunpowder, projectile (buckshot, bullet, etc.) and the primer were loaded directly into the drum, without cases. The fully loaded drum ("Ammo Cassette") was hermetically sealed in plastic film and in this form was to be delivered to users. Before loading, the shooter had to rip off the plastic wrap from the drum and load it into the weapon, and after all the charges were used up, throw it away (or, if the situation permits, save it for later return to the factory for reloading).

On the basis of such stores, Andersen also developed a special anti-personnel mine Bear Trap (bear trap), which was a detonator attached to the store. When it was triggered, charges from all chambers were fired simultaneously, creating the effect of a directional fragmentation mine.

Caliber - 12th hunting
Length, mm 787
Barrel length, mm 525
Weight without cartridges, kg 4.57
Drum capacity, qty. cartridges 10
Rate of fire, rds / min 240
Sighting range, m 40

Single fire is achieved by abrupt pulls on the trigger and a low rate of fire. The fuse box is located above the handle, on the left side of the weapon. When turned on, it blocks the trigger and the trigger. The sight is open, consists of a bar closed on the sides, like on hunting rifles.

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Smooth-bore repeating shotguns are the most popular type of weapon in Hollywood action films. But even on this side of the screen, "shotguns" are very popular among shooting enthusiasts. They are used for hunting, shooting sports or self-defense. Thanks to a salvo of buckshot, the area of ​​damage is increased, which negates the accuracy of aiming. For the first time used in the battles of the First World War, such rifles are still widely used by the security forces today. In this article we will tell you about the most popular and best shotguns.

10. Kel-Tec KSG

The KSG smoothbore shotgun from the American company Kel-Tec is very popular today. Its unusual design, reminiscent of the South African "Neostead" shotgun, and excellent performance have made this firearm a regular in the arsenals of many shooting enthusiasts.

This shotgun was first presented to the public at ShotShow 2011 and became available to everyone a year later. A gun with a manual "pump-action" reloading has a compact size, an original two-tube magazine of increased capacity and a light sight. Purpose of Kel-Tec KSG: army, police, private collectors and connoisseurs of this type of weapon.

9. SRM Model 1216

This American-made tactical shotgun has a 12 gauge and a 4-chamber magazine. The weapon was first produced in 2008 and has gained great fame over a 10-year history. Today there are three modifications of this shotgun, differing in magazine capacity and barrel length.

The main difference between this model and other guns of this type is the unusual design of the bolt and magazine. The small size and plastic body allowed the manufacturer to reduce the weight of the shotgun. Similar to the M16 rifle, the body of the gun consists of two parts, fastened with transverse pins.

8.UTAS UTS-15

This magazine shotgun from the Turkish gunsmiths from UTAS is well known to everyone interested in this type of weapon. It was originally created for the military and the police. The main feature of the UTS-15 is the twin magazine.

As with the Kel-Tec KSG shotgun, the engineers at UTAS took the original Neostead design as a basis. They left the bullpup layout, but changed the working mechanism of the gun, making it more efficient and productive. Due to this, the UTS-15 has high firepower in a fairly compact size.

The popularity of this shotgun is indicated by the fact that it is used in the computer games Battlefield 4, GTA V and Warface.

7.AA 12

Fighting in the lush tropical vegetation of Vietnam, the American army appreciated all the advantages of 12-gauge multiply shotguns. But at the time of these hostilities, gunsmiths could only offer the Winchester M1912 to the needs of the army. The model, which by the beginning of hostilities in Vietnam was already somewhat outdated. Maxwell Atchisson managed to solve the issue of developing a new shotgun. Which in 1972 presented to the US AAS Commission. It was subsequently modernized. Since 1981 it has been issued under the name AA 12.

The improved model has a gas-operated automatic system, which allows the use of more powerful cartridges for firing. In addition, the manufacturer slightly changed the design of the shotgun. It consists of two halves fastened together. It is also worth noting the more convenient location of the firing mode translator.

But the main difference is the recoil impulse stretching in time, which makes it possible to carry out quite comfortable shooting with the AA 12.

6. Mossberg 500 Tactical Persuader

The next hero of our review of the best shotguns is called the most common pump action shotgun in the world. This shotgun has been in production since 1962. It is used for self-defense, hunting, armed protection of objects and security forces. Its main advantage is the design that allows this shotgun to be used quite intensively. And the low weight (about 3 kg) is not an obstacle when shooting in conditions of frequent change of firing points.

It is worth noting the high ergonomics of the Mossberg 500. Most of the structural parts are made of steel. Aluminum was chosen as the material for the manufacture of the main part, and the stock and forend were wood or plastic (depending on the modification).

A distinctive feature of this model is the location of the fuse. It sits on top of the barrel, making it easy to operate with your thumb. Many weapons experts call the Tactical Persuader the best model in the series.

5. Benelli M4 Super 90

This shotgun is a shining example of quality Italian weapons. The M4 Super 90 is made from durable materials and has high performance. The main one is reliability. The manufacturer claims the possibility of firing up to 25 thousand shots without repairing the gun.

The chamber of this model is made for 16 caliber. But it can also be used for shooting with a 12 gauge. The standard design has a telescopic stock. The shotgun is widely used by hunters. Due to its high resource of reliability and the possibility of quick service, it is an excellent choice as a hunting rifle.

4. Remington Model 870

This famous American shotgun has been produced since the middle of the last century. The shape of the forend of this shotgun makes it the most recognizable model of this type of weapon. Cartridges are fed from the bottom, and used sleeves are ejected from the side. The reliability of the Remington 870 design is due to the manufacture of the receiver from a single piece of steel. The manufacturer produces many accessories for tuning this model. In addition to its reliability, this shotgun is lightweight.

3. FN SLP

Unlocks the top three FN SLP shotguns. The multiple shotgun is produced by the Belgian company FN Herstal. It is assigned to law enforcement agencies. In 2009, the model received the title of "Shotgun of the Year". The advantages of this model are ease of use, ergonomic body and long resource of use.

The FN SLP has a chrome-plated barrel with replaceable choke elements. The receiver material is aluminum. The stock is made of durable plastic. The manufacturer has provided the handle with additional cheeks for the possibility of adjusting it to different palm sizes.

2. Super Black Eagle 3

The third model of the famous shotgun has become a worthy continuation of the line. The design allows the Super Black Eagle 3 to be used in the harshest climates. The weapon has excellent characteristics in terms of power, rate of fire, reliability and accuracy of fire. Externally, the gun has a rather aggressive design, which adds some zest to it.

The Super Black Eagle 3 features a stock with recoil reduction technology. It is ideal for saucer shooting and game hunting.

AA-12 is considered to be one of the best automatic shotguns. It was appreciated by the American Marines, in addition, they were installed on AutoCopter unmanned helicopters and on the turrets of the HAMMER protection system.

This weapon also appeared in the cinema. In particular, the main character of the movie "Predator", as well as one of the characters of the movie "The Expendables", was armed with just such a shotgun.

The AA-12 self-loading shotgun provides two types of magazines: box magazine for 5 and 8 rounds, drum or disk for 20 or 32 rounds.

In 2000, the rights to manufacture the AA-12 were acquired by the American Military Police System, which planned to equip the American army and police with this shotgun. Actually, just after that, in 2004, these guns entered service with the Marine Corps.

And they were created in 1981 by Maxwell Atchisson on the basis of his other invention - the 1972 Atchisson Assault Shotgun. The very idea to create semi-automatic rifles came from American designers after the Vietnam War, where shotguns have proven themselves very well at short distances in dense jungle and rooms. This was the weapon of the Cold War era. The weapon of our time should have been different. I wanted to achieve a higher rate of fire. And the most efficient way to do this is through automatic recharging.

Then the idea of ​​developing an automatic shotgun appeared. And several talented designers took up this work at once. Among them was Atchisson.

Design

He took as a basis a system that had not previously been used for smooth-bore guns, but worked well for submachine guns: automatic with a free shutter. This made it possible to significantly reduce the recoil force and rate of fire. Actually, the rollback of the free shutter was the main principle of the system of this combat shotgun. Powder gases after the shot pushed the sleeves back, and with it a rather heavy cylindrical shutter, well, he was already compressing the return spring.

To ensure low recoil when firing in bursts, the receiver reached the butt plate, thereby increasing the length of the bolt recoil. This made it possible to almost completely extinguish the impulse of the shot, which explained the rather low recoil.

Low recoil is very important in automatic weapons chambered for 12 gauge to ensure proper accuracy. Otherwise, shooting in bursts will simply be ineffective.

Reducing the recoil for the shooter, the designer distributed its action over the mechanism of the shotgun. This was especially true for the reliability of the magazine fastening. The metal bracket, together with the pistol grip, acts as a stop that secures the magazine.

The second feature of the AAS shotgun is that it fires with an open bolt. After the shooter presses the trigger, the bolt, under the influence of the return spring, was lifted from its place and only then the cartridge primer was pricked.

The AA-12 differs in many ways from its predecessor. Even his appearance has seriously changed. Now the body of the shotgun has become one-piece: the hollow plastic butt, which covers the receiver and passes into the forend, consists of the left and right halves, which are attached to each other with pins. But it is not enough to change the shape of the butt, the trigger was also redesigned. Starting with the use of a more advanced system with a gas outlet pipe and two return springs. This made the shotgun more reliable and further reduced recoil. Now the barrel is rigidly locked with a wedge that goes into the breech slot.

The barrel length was also changed to a smaller side and the weight was reduced.

Advantages and disadvantages

The undoubted advantage of the AA-12 automatic shotgun is its high accuracy and high efficiency at short distances. However, as the range increases, the effectiveness drops rapidly. Actually, the shotgun was created for combat at short distances. So he copes with the task set before him.

In addition, the designer managed to minimize the recoil when firing bursts. Considering that we are talking about a fairly powerful 12-gauge ammunition, reducing recoil is a top priority. The ability to choose a magazine for the required number of shots is also a plus of this model. The box magazine for 5 and 8 rounds is more compact and lightweight, but the magazine for 20 rounds increases the number of shots. The security of the system is at a high level, which can also be attributed to the merits.

The disadvantage is a lot of weight. Of course, compared to the earlier version, the gun weighs less. And yet it is quite heavy.

Ammunition

The original version of the gun, the Atchisson Assault Shotgun, was intended for firing standard 12-gauge ammunition with a 70 mm sleeve and a Magnum cartridge with a 76 mm sleeve. Both that and the other cartridge could be equipped with both buckshot and various bullets.

AA-12 is capable of working with these cartridges, but it is also adapted for firing the more powerful FRAG-12 ammunition. There were rumors that the ammunition itself was developed specifically for this shotgun, but it is impossible to verify them.

FRAG-12 is seriously different from its predecessors. Bullet of special design: metal shell on the outside, and various fillings on the inside. Additionally, when the bullet goes beyond the barrel, its tail unit opens. It is this that allows you to stabilize the flight of the projectile, and this, in turn, increases the accuracy of shooting. The FRAG-12 cartridge from the AA-12 shotgun can be aimed at shooting at a distance of up to 200 meters.

Bullet filling in FRAG-12 cartridge can be of three types:

• HE - high explosive;
• HE-FA - high-explosive fragmentation;
• HE-AP - armor-piercing bullets that combine cumulative and high-explosive action.

If you shoot bursts of buckshot from an AA-12 shotgun, you get a dense cloud of projectiles. For short distances or indoors, this is ideal. However, with an increase in the distance to 70 meters, such shooting loses its effectiveness.

If the firing range is higher, then it is better to use single shots with ammunition equipped with a lead or steel bullet, depending on the target. Aimed firing in bursts at long distances is possible only with the FRAG-12 cartridge.

Specifications

AA-12 has the following parameters:

• country of origin - America;
• weight - 4.7 without magazine;
• 12 caliber ammunition;
• length - 965 mm;
• barrel length - 457 mm;
• 360 rounds per minute;
• muzzle velocity - 350 m / s.

Conclusion

Taking into account all the features described above, the AA-12 automatic shotgun can be called a worthy representative of its class. He does an excellent job with the tasks assigned to him, such as the protection of law and order, and this is not surprising. The prototype was created about 30 years ago, and since then the system has continued to be constantly improved and refined.

By the way, on the basis of aa 12, South Korean gunsmiths developed their own shotgun. He also enjoys a certain amount of fame.

All variations on the AA-12 shotgun theme remained the prerogative of the army and the police. This gun has never entered the civilian market, and such sales are not planned in the near future.

Video: AA-12 Automatic Shotgun

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"Dependence" on certain types of ammunition was a major problem for many years after the commercial success of the first semi-automatic rifles. So it is not surprising that the developers of this type of weapon were focused mainly on finding technical solutions that would allow the use of various types of ammunition without problems. It is thanks to their dedication that modern 12/76 semi-automatic shotguns will have no difficulty using any 12/70 cartridge. The average shot weight has also been increased from 24 g to 52 g.

In Europe, this technological leap has brought semi-automatic shotguns out of the shadows and made them the favorite weapon of most hunters.

With the introduction of the Beretta "UGB25 Xcel", semiautomatic shotguns find their way into the sport of skeet shooting

In practice, semi-automatic shotguns have two main advantages over double-barreled shotguns: first of all, the third shot can be fired very quickly. Secondly, they have a softer recoil in accordance with the weight and power of the cartridges, which is no less important for the shooter with a long series of shots.

The main disadvantage that we must mention here is that it is possible to use only one alternatively available choke for all shots in quick succession. On the range, this deficiency can be compensated, at least in part, by choosing the right ammunition. Similar to vertical shotguns, interchangeable chokes are now also available for semi-automatic shotguns, and thanks to their simple and quick installation and removal, even this category of weapon can be quickly adapted to any type of hunting.

The first semi-automatic shotguns appeared in the early 20th century. John Moses Browning was the creator of this new class of weapon. The development of his legendary "Auto 5" semiautomatic shotgun, which uses the recoil energy of the barrel during its long stroke for reloading, was sold to the Belgian firm "FN", which began mass production in 1905. It was the first technically and commercially successful semi-automatic shotgun.

In fact, self-loading (semi-automatic) shotguns can be divided into two categories, which differ in the principle of automatic operation: based on recoil energy and based on the removal of powder gases.

In the first case, we are talking about the principle of locking based on recoil energy, where the barrel moves a certain distance in engagement with the bolt, until it is released, which allows the bolt to stay in the rear position, and the barrel to return to its original position, while the bolt ends its cycle by sending the next cartridge into the chamber.

The era of semi-automatic shotguns began at the beginning of the 20th century with the advent of the legendary BROWNING "Auto 5", which operated on the basis of this locking principle and was taken as the basis for the manufacture of semi-automatic shotguns by other manufacturers of weapons, among which were REMINGTON and FRANCHI. ".

Modern shotgun BROWNING A5 with automatic recoil energy

The main disadvantages of the first semi-automatic shotguns were their rather rigid dependence on certain ammunition and sometimes their huge recoil. Users were forced to adjust these guns for the appropriate ammunition, for example, on the "Auto 5" self-loading shotgun, it was necessary to install the famous friction rings to give additional force that would slow down the barrel rollback, providing it with a stable recoil speed for using cartridges with different powder and shot charges ...

Self-loading hunting shotgun BROWNING "A5" in action

Some users were also annoyed by the barrel rollback. Therefore, the designers initially turned their attention to rejecting barrel rollback and minimizing dependence on certain ammunition. There were several more attempts to improve the principle of operation of automation based on recoil, but by the beginning of World War II, the future was clearly behind the principle of operation of automation based on the removal of powder gases.

The principle of operation of this mechanism is extremely simple: the gas outlet is located in the bore around the bolt group. The gas drives the piston to reload the cartridge.

The main disadvantage of the principle of operation of automation based on the removal of powder gases is the carbon residue from the gas flow. However, in recent years, even these systems have undergone significant improvements in terms of reliability of operation with any type of ammunition and greater resistance to the accumulation of carbon residues - in some cases, almost to perfection.

Striking examples of this have become BERETTA "A-400 Xplor Unico", REMINGTON "Versa Max" and BROWNING "Maxus".

BERETTA trusts the new "A 400 Xtreme Unico" shotgun gas venting system

REMINGTON VersaMax 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun with "Realtree" camouflage trim

Shotgun BROWNING Maxus in a modest black color scheme

All three models are equally good at shooting 12-gauge cartridges with a long sleeve from 70 mm to 89 mm and weighing from 24 g to 63 g. and gas pistons located in the area of ​​the combustion chamber. This gas piston system independently regulates the gas pressure depending on the liner length for reliable cyclic operation regardless of the load. The BERETTA "A-400 XPlor Unico" shotgun uses a different tactic to solve this problem. The "A-400 XPlor Unico" model integrates a new gas system with a rotating valve cylinder and a delivery system, and also uses a self-cleaning gas vent mechanism. These two well-controlled lugs fit into the corresponding recesses in the barrel collar, locking the bore.

In order to ensure the normal operation of weapons with a wide variety of ammunition, it is necessary to adjust the pressure of the gases required for the chamber, depending on the corresponding load. This effect is achieved by an innovative gas piston with a cleaning ring that also acts as a seal.

The pressure rises when gas enters the valve, driving the piston. The manufacturer claims that these shotguns are 36% faster than any other semi-automatic shotgun known today. To achieve this goal, the recoil action has been reduced compared to the previous model "AL 391". BERETTA calls this new "high efficiency" A 400 Unico "Blink".

WINCHESTER SX3 self-loading shotgun with Active-Valve-System

The "Power Drive" flue gas seal system is the heart of the BROWNING "Maxus" shotgun. Additional gas vents were designed for faster removal of powder gases from the mechanism than was the case in the previous BROWNING gas vent system when firing heavier shot projectiles. The new system for sealing the gas outlet removes excess powder gases from the mechanism, which, in turn, increases the stroke length of the gas piston. WINCHESTER's SX3 gas-fired shotguns also claim to be the world's fastest-firing semi-automatic shotguns.

WINCHESTER SX3 semi-automatic shotgun receiver

In order to minimize any risks of jamming or other problems that may arise while hunting or at shooting ranges, the designers have also gone to great lengths to find solutions to the problems encountered in modern flue gas systems: the aforementioned phenomenon of the accumulation of carbon residue, as well as dust and moisture. However, there is no doubt that in some extreme situations, there is still residual risk. Even modern gas rifles must be kept clean to stay in good working order.

The BENELLI M2 IPSC semi-automatic shotgun has been specially designed for dynamic sports shooting

This is mainly the use of the recoil of the weapon in general. The automatics here work from a powerful spring installed between the combat cylinder and the bolt body, which, accumulating energy when the weapon is recoil, then provides a full cycle of the rifle's automatics. The combat larva turns and unlocks the barrel bore, clamping the inertial spring between the larva and the body. Due to the recoil force of the rifle, the bolt under the action of the inertial force moves forward relative to it by several millimeters, while compressing the inertial spring, which, overcoming the inertia of the bolt, throws it back, and at the same time the spent cartridge case is ejected, and on the reverse stroke of the bolt group, a new one is fed cartridge in the chamber.

Essentially, therefore, the inertial system consists of a combat cylinder, a bolt body and an inertial spring. BROWNING has applied this system to its new A5 semi-automatic shotgun.

All components of the inertial system in the Vinci model move exclusively coaxially and in line with the barrel. BENELLI has also set new standards for its Vinci shotgun model. The Vinci shotgun, consisting of three main modules, can be easily assembled and disassembled without the need for additional tools.

All (or almost all) of the shotgun models mentioned in this article were originally developed for use as a hunting weapon, but later they found their new use as a weapon for military, police or sports shooters (participating in practical shooting competitions under the auspices of the IPSC (International Confederation of Practical Shooting)).

In addition to the flawless operation of the automation, all the efforts of the engineers were also aimed at reducing recoil. In recent years, there have been significant advances in this area, especially among premium shotguns.