Q&A for How to Load a Shotgun

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How do I properly hold a shotgun?

Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
Firearms Instructor
Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon is a Firearms Instructor based in Southern New Jersey. He is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Ironsights Academy, a firearms education & training organization that he launched to continue his love of teaching and learning. Dr. Harmon is a higher education educator with over 20 years of experience who blended his passion for teaching with shooting sports as he launched Ironsights Academy: Firearms Education & Training. Dr. Harmon is an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection Inside & Outside the Home, Concealed Carry Weapons, Defensive Pistol, and a certified Chief Range Safety Officer. Dr. Harmon is also certified by the American College of Surgeons to teach Stop the Bleed courses.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon

Firearms Instructor

Expert Answer

To properly hold a shotgun, establish four points of contact. If you're right-handed, your support hand (left hand) should be positioned at the fore-end of the shotgun, using a low C-grip to avoid touching the barrel that may get hot. Simultaneously, your right hand grasps the neck or wrist near the trigger. Ensure the buttstock is tucked into your shoulder pocket, providing a stable third point of contact. The fourth and final point involves placing your cheek on the comb or the top of the buttstock. This grip ensures control, stability, and safety while handling the shotgun.

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Question

Does a shotgun have to be loaded to put the safety on?

Community Answer

You can put the safety on regardless of whether or not the gun is loaded.

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Question

How do I remove shells?

Community Answer

Depending on the make, put the gun on safe and act as if you were putting another round in with the slide, it should pop free.

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Question

Do I need to hold the action release button every time I pump the slide?

vivek rathore

Community Answer

No. The action bar will not slide back if the weapon has not been discharged without pressing and holding the release button located near the trigger guard. Push and hold the release and slowly pull the action bar back, but not all the way. Stop right before the end of the pull. If there is a round in the chamber it will pop out; simply remove it. If there is another round in the magazine tube, it will pop onto the carrier.

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Question

Before I load the gun, do I put the safety catch on or off?

Community Answer

The safety should be on at all times until you are ready to fire, so as to prevent an accidental discharge. Keep the safety on until you have the firearm in proper position and are ready to pull the trigger.

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Question

How do I hold a gun when sighting a shot?

Community Answer

Hold the firearm as you would if you were to fire it. When sighting a shot, I find it helps to close one eye.

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Question

What's the safest and easiest gun to use for a first-time gun owner?

Community Answer

Probably a .22 if you're talking about rifles. For a shotgun, probably a 20-gauge.

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Question

When loading 410 youth shotgun with loading tube under barren, which end of shell goes in first?

Galasy4969

Top Answerer

The brass always goes in the back of any loading mechanism.

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Question

How many times can a shotgun fire before it needs to be reloaded?

Community Answer

Most shotguns are 4+1 but some are 5+1, just count how many shells fit in the tube.

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Question

When you shoot a 4+1 shotgun, does the first or last shell shell come out first?

Community Answer

The first shell loaded will be the last shell to be fired. The shell directly placed in the chamber will be the first fired. The four shells loaded in the magazine or the under part of the shotgun will be fired in reverse order of loading.

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Question

What does full choke mean?

Ericsmith4527

Community Answer

A full choke gets inserted into the end of the barrel on a shotgun. It makes the end of the barrel where the shot comes out much thicker, making for a tighter "pattern" as we call it. At further distances, the bb's will be able to remain tighter for a longer period of time. Full chokes can be inserted into any gauge of shotgun.

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