Category: Shotgun

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2A: Shotgun Importation Ban and its impact on Practical Shooting

With the May 1st deadline looming, I decided to send in an email to the BATFE’s working group for the pending ban of certain shotguns. You can do likewise by sending your comment to shotgunstudy@atf.gov.

Here’s what I wrote:

Hello

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the current shotgun importation ban now under consideration. I am a member of the United States Practical Shooting Association and I use shotguns for competition that are designed with many of the 10 features that are being considered as criteria for banning a shotgun from importation. Telescoping stocks, pistol grips, extended magazines, compensators and additional mounting rails are critically important in our sport. To say these guns serve no sporting purpose is to deny practical shooting as a sport in general.  This may be convenient for your current purposes but it is wrong. The working group cannot use potential repercussions as a reason for denying facts. Namely that practical shotgun shooting is a highly popular sport thereby making many of the shotgun features under consideration “generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.” Continue reading “2A: Shotgun Importation Ban and its impact on Practical Shooting”

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FN Self-Loading Police: First Look

FN (FNH?) has a long history as a leading manufacturer of front-line battle weapons. Their military and police contracts are huge as is their commitment to excellence. It should come as no surprise that their tactical shotgun is also a first-rate firearm.

With our recent interest in USPSA 3-gun, Bill decided to buy an FN Self-Loading Police shotgun. I find the naming convention confusing: there’s the “Self-Loading Police” model, the “SLP Mark I” (rifled barrel and non-rifled barrel) and the “SLP Tactical”. The Self-Loading Police, also known as the “standard” model, has an 18″ barrel, extended magazine tube, a top rail and high-rise ring/hood sights. This is the model that I’ve been shooting over the last week. It is a superb piece of machinery. The manufacturing is outstanding with a fit and finish that is the envy of the industry.

The SLP Standard is beautiful in the way that an M1A1 Abrams tank is beautiful. Unflinchingly rugged and reliable, this shotgun can withstand the rigors of any shooting situation with aplomb. I put a lot of shells through it and it fed, fired and ejected every single one without a hitch. The large sights made target acquisition quick and easy. However, with it’s Picatinny top rail the gun screams out for a combat optic. With its short barrel and compact size, this shotgun was made for close-quarters battle. This of course makes it perfect for the run-and-gun format of USPSA 3-gun. In fact, this gun has become a favorite of top-level competitors in the sport and I can certainly see why.

Hmm, where that number for Impact Guns?