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[kato13]

TR 02-29-2004, 08:55 PM Couple months back there was some discussion on a new shotgun design being tested... I found a better article on it.


Enjoy the info...


TR




http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=sh...r03/101503.htm


TRADOC News Service and Web operations


Limited fielding planned for new shotgun Weapons prepared for use in Afghanistan


Story and photos by Spc. Brian Trapp

Bayonet staff


FORT BENNING, Ga. (Oct. 3, 2003) -- Dismounted Battlespace Battle Laba€^TMs lightweight shotgun system is undergoing operational inspection and test firing for 200 shotguns to be fielded to the 10th Mountain Division for future use in Afghanistan.


The 10th Mountain will field the lightest variation of the 12-gauge shotgun system, which attaches under the M-4 carbine and weighs 2 pounds, 11 ounces a€" less than the M-203 grenade launcher.


(Click on thumbnail for higher-resolution photo)

http://www-tradoc.army.mil/pao/TNSar...3/shotgun2.jpg


Staff Sgt. William Partin takes aim during testing Tuesday.


http://www-tradoc.army.mil/pao/TNSar...03/shotgun.jpg


The lightweight shotgun system has three configurations. The attachment variation, top, will be the one fielded to the 10th Mountain Division.


The system is a five-round, box-magazine fed, manually operated shotgun. It uses a straight push-pull type bolt action that can be switched for either left or right-handed users. The attachment variation is 16.5 inches in length and uses the host weapona€^TMs sights. It is capable of firing lethal, non-lethal and breaching rounds.


The shotgun stand-alone version is converted from the attachable version. It has a pistol grip and a butt stock. The stand-alone weighs 4 pounds, 3 ounces and is 24 inches long collapsed.


This version also has a reversible charging handle and is capable of firing lethal, non-lethal and breaching rounds.


The original system was a prototype for proof of concept, said Mike Barnes, chief, Robotics Division, DBBL. The one being fielded applied lessons-learned from the first iterations of testing to make the weapons more reliable in the field.


a€oeWe have identified a couple of areas for minor changes that we are doing on-site,a€ said Mike Kennedy, project officer, DBBL. a€oeIn the future, from what wea€^TMve found here, the designer can make these changes in manufacturing to make it an overall better shotgun.a€


The minor adjustments included polishing some of the parts to reduce friction.


a€oeWhen this system is fielded, we will know every shotgun is in good working order,a€ he said. a€oeThey will be ready to go into the hands of soldiers for operational use.a€


When the testing is finished, about 15,000 rounds will be fired through the 200 systems going to the field.


a€oeOut of 200 weapons, Ia€^TMve fired about 50 of them and Ia€^TMm confident in the system,a€ said Staff Sgt. William Partin, instructor, Light Fighter School, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.


a€oeI think ita€^TMs a great weapon system, being able to attach to the M-4 and as a stand-alone,a€ he said. a€oeI like that ita€^TMs light. This is the lightest weapon Ia€^TMve carried in the Army besides a pistol. It weighs just about nothing.a€


Soldiers can use the shotgun as an all-around tool in an urban environment, Barnes said. They can use the non-lethal and breaching capabilities, and the big advantage is that they dona€^TMt have to sling their primary weapon to do it.


a€oeThink about whata€^TMs going on in the world right now,a€ said Staff Sgt. Tito Zelada, instructor, Light Fighter School, 10th Mountain Div.


a€oeYou have combatants and noncombatants together in a crowd and (the non-lethal capability) is a good way to neutralize them, whether or not they are armed.a€


a€oeMany units in the field expressed the need for a tool like this,a€ Barnes said. a€oeI think it will get a lot of use.a€


a€oeI thought the Remington 870, what we teach with, was sufficient, but this gives us the upper hand on the way we breach,a€ Partin said. a€oeIta€^TMs more accessible and easier than having to switch weapons.a€


Cost for the system is yet to be determined, because it is dependent on production quantities.

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