Combat Or Competitive Shotgun Shooting Stance
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 9 months ago
I’ve trained myself so consistently to use the forward aggressive stance for AR and pistol shooting for so long I don’t think I could successfully do anything else.
But if he’s recommending approximately that same stance for combat and competition shotgun shooting (and I think he is), the shoulder is going to take a beating.
On March 15, 2021 at 6:45 am, George said:
When you mount your shotgun bring it up slightly in front of you and draw it straight back by your cheek into the collarbone. That is where it should be mounted. There is a pocket formed at the collar bone when the arm is raised.
Stand square to the threat. Do not mount the shotgun on the shoulder muscle.
Muscles have nerves and that is where most folks mess up; letting the stock rest against the shoulder muscle. Then when they are shooting it hurts.
Don’t do that. Also, that correct mount allows for fast recovery and quicker follow up shots.
On March 15, 2021 at 9:27 am, Herschel Smith said:
@George,
That entire area is covered by pectoralis major. Google a picture of a body builder like Jay Cutler if you don’t understand what I’m saying.
That’s an extreme example and most men won’t have that kind of muscle mass, but still, it’s all covered by muscle.
Pectoralis major or frontal deltoid. There is no place on your body you can put the stock without being in contact with a muscle group.
On March 15, 2021 at 3:40 pm, DTG said:
I agree that if the same stance is used for rifle/pistol, the shoulder will take a moderate beating, but it can be mitigated quite with with moderate exercise for muscle development and maintenance focusing on the chest, shoulders, and back. I also agree with Herschel’s point: you’re going to contact muscle somewhere if you’re putting it up in the shoulder area.
I also shoot a 12 gauge for fun. I stick the stock in the pocket as described in the video but it’s padded with the aforementioned muscle (I’m not a body builder, but I do moderate weights for chest, back and shoulders). Most times, I shoot 100 rounds at a time of 2 3/4; if 3 in, 40 to 50. I might be a little tight the next day, but definitely not ‘sore.’ Building the muscle up to be able to take the recoil, to me, is a good thing to do. I’m not a 25 year old either – I’m over 60. Just gotta keep at it, build the muscles, keep shooting, and you’ll not feel anything after awhile, and won’t damage anything, either. Kinda like shooting a service configured ’03 or M48 with steel butt plates for a High Power match with only your field shirt on as a pad. BTDT. ;-)
Shotgun wise, I was brought up on military Winchester Model 12’s, then 870’s back in my day. Neither of which had shock absorbing butt pads. We were taught to lean into the shotgun using recoil to assist racking the next round into the chamber on our way back down into the ‘lean’ in. Our ‘stress’ courses of fire were 50, 75, and 100 rounds of 00 Buck fired at human silhouettes. 50 rounds were not a lot to shout about, pain wise, 75 rounds got you a bit sore, and 100 rounds made you wish you’d have eaten your Wheaties more often. Even so, recoil is manageable if you train for it.
Today I shoot inertia driven guns in 12ga, and have no issues whatsoever, always leaning in to the shot.
On March 15, 2021 at 8:36 pm, George said:
otay on the muscles, Herschel. But, the position he shows and I described is the best for shooting the shotgun without discomfort. I don’t have much muscle in front of my collar bone, but I am no longer the young man I once was. I do shoot shotgun a lot.
Raise your right elbow to horizontal and then feel the area in the pocket that is formed. Pretty much collar bone. The technique is to bring the buttstock straight back by your cheek and into that pocket. Try it, you will like it.
On March 15, 2021 at 8:39 pm, George said:
There is an old prescription for those who shoot with the buttstock against the shoulder muscle:
get a six-pack of your favorite cold beverage; drink one and hold the others against the aching muscle. Repeat as necessary.