Joe Doakes' Place

The Conditions Of Readiness For The Pump Action Shotgun

My decision in writing this was not made because I’ve come up with something new or different. It’s simply to help clarify things for rookie shotgun owners. The seasoned shotgunners already know all of this, possibly by other names or numbers and perhaps with a slightly different twist on the procedures. Nonetheless, a rose by any other name... I’m simply trying to ID the roses.

To keep things less confusing (I hope), I’m going to base these upon The Conditions of Carry For The Automatic Pistol by the late Jeff Cooper.

PLEASE NOTE: Your make and model of shotgun may require slightly different procedures. Much of this applies to many auto-loading shotguns as well. In all, you’ll get the general idea.

I posted an excellent video at the bottom, which shows exactly how a slide or pump action shotgun works. In this case it’s a Remington 870.

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Conditions Of Readiness For The Pump Action Shotgun

Condition 0 - A shell is in the chamber, hammer cocked, the magazine is loaded, and the safety is off.

Other than during the process of actually firing the shotgun, I cannot imagine another use for C0. This is certainly not a recommend condition for carry, handling, or storage.

Condition 1 - A shell is in the chamber, the hammer cocked, the magazine is loaded, and the safety is on.

C1 is usually go-mode in my opinion. The possibility of having to discharge the shotgun is imminent. Depending upon individual circumstance, some will maintain their shotgun ready in this condition. Personally, I do not, nor do I recommend it as a day-to-day practice. Some will say that shotguns are not drop safe. Drop safe or not, to the best of my knowledge most modern, higher quality, well maintained, shotguns will not discharge if simply knocked over, or at least I’ve never heard of it happening. However, why take that risk? The decision is yours, based upon your reality and requirements.

Condition 2 - The chamber is empty, the hammer is uncocked (thus unlocking the action), the magazine is loaded, and the safety is on*.

AKA “Cruiser Ready”. Unlike C2 for an automatic pistol (hammer down on a loaded chamber), C2 for a shotgun has the hammer down on an empty chamber. This is because, to the best of my knowledge, so-called “hammerless” shotguns cannot be loaded (or unloaded) without the hammer being cocked. To ready the C2 shotgun for firing, one must operate the shotgun’s pump action (or bolt charging handle for an automatic), which is unlocked. This instead of thumb cocking a C2 pistol’s hammer. Depending upon the condition of the gun and the circumstances of storage/handling, i.e. bouncing around in a vehicle for one, I have heard that there is a possibility of the action opening on it’s own. This is something of which to be aware.

Condition 3 - The chamber is empty, the hammer is cocked (thus locking the action), the magazine is loaded, and the safety is on.

AKA “Cruiser Safe”. It’s the same as C2 except one is now required to manually unlock the action in order to chamber a shell. It’s an additional step, albeit a minor one. As far as I am aware, this is the SOP for many police and security organizations. It assures the action will remain closed and, as a bonus, it’s an additional precaution against unauthorized and untrained people using the weapon.

Condition 4 - The chamber is empty, hammer may or may not be cocked (your option), the magazine is empty, and the safety is on.

In other words, the gun is completely unloaded. It is essentially a safe handling, transportation, and storage condition. This is also the prelude to disassembly and cleaning. Be that as it may, the absolute first thing that one must do when the shotgun, pump or automatic, is handled, is to clear or proof it. The action must be opened and the chamber, carrier or elevator, and magazine checked. Furthermore, when handing the shotgun (or any firearm) to anyone, the action should be cleared and open.

* With any empty chamber method, the weapon can be kept with the safety off, it’s your option. Nonetheless, as a matter of practice, I default to safety on for consistency's sake.

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If you own a pump or automatic shotgun at some point you will undoubtedly use all of the above. Assuming you want to keep a shotgun handy, just in case, your choice is really down to conditions 1, 2, or 3. My advice is to get some training shells and try them. Then pick a set that works for you and stick with those. Make them your SOP. Always let safety be the deciding factor. You own firearms to protect yourself, your family, and possibly others, not to endanger them.

Addendum: Re C2 and C3; please don’t think that the sound of the action being operated is a benefit. In my estimation it is not. If anything it is a detriment as it lets any malefactors know your location and that you’ve got a really big gun. Don’t bet your life on that mystical sound putting fear into the hearts of villains and causing them to flee for their lives, possibly even giving up a life of crime altogether. If it does, ya got lucky, no more, no less. This is not to say that I am recommending C1 instead, I am not. Only you can decide what works out best for you.

As well, I was going to either add comments, pertaining specifically to the automatic shotgun, or make a separate set of conditions. Finally, due to operational differences and brand specific variables, I decided upon neither. C0, C1, and C4 all apply directly to either. C2 and C3 simply become empty chamber carry for the semi. I suppose one could have the bolt locked back with a loaded magazine, however I cannot imagine any reason to carry or store the shotgun in that condition.

Truth be known and as I’m sure you know as well, for automatic pistols and most repeating long guns, there’s really only two basic ready conditions.

Condition 1: Chamber is loaded, magazine full, and safety on.

Condition 2: Chamber is empty, magazine full, and safety on or off.

All the rest is just gun rag tripe, but people like that stuff.

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PDF for your convenience: Conditions Of Readiness For The Pump Action Shotgun - Kilogulf59.pdf

Take care and stay safe,
Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59
Integrated Close Combat Forum

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Please note: prior to commenting or passing judgment, either in a positive or negative manner, I suggest you read About Joe Doakes’ Place and the Disclaimer assuming you haven't already. Thank you.

Safety and Function Checks for the Slide or Pump Action Shotgun

Joe Doakes' note: this is directly copied from ICCF. I highly recommend you go there as there's much more pertinent information, to include downloads, contained in the commentary.As well, I’ll be posting a series of articles on shotguns, in general, and pumps in particular. Primarily in their usage as self defense/ security weapons.

I really didn't find what I felt was a good, thorough, list online, so this is what I came up with. I tried to combine the checks into groups instead of listing each one separately. Please feel free to correct me or to suggest additions.

Safety and Function Checks for the Slide or Pump Action Shotgun

Clear the shotgun - With the SAFETY ON and the weapon pointed in a safe direction, visually and physically check the magazine tube via the loading port. You should see/feel the magazine follower. Press the action lock/slide release and slowly open the action. See/feel that the chamber is empty and the receiver is clear.

CAUTION - All of the following checks are to be performed with a cleared (unloaded) shotgun, which is pointed in a safe direction.

Action, action lock/slide release check - Depress the action lock and operate the action several times. The action should function smoothly and freely. With the action fully closed and action lock released, pull back firmly on the forearm. Do this several times. The action ought to remain closed.

Extractor and ejector check - Open the action and visually inspect the extractor. Physically check it’s movement and that the spring is functioning. Check that the ejector is firmly in place and is not worn or damaged.

Safety, firing pin*, and barrel check - With the barrel removed, the action closed, and the safety in the on position, firmly pull the trigger several times. You should not hear a click and the weapon should not dry-fire. Place the safety in the off position, with your finger, hold a penny over the bolt face and pull the trigger. The weapon will now dry-fire and you should feel the firing pin strike the penny. There will be a defined indent in the penny from the firing pin. Check the barrel, inside and out, for damage, dirt, rust, or obstructions. Replace the barrel.

Shell lifter/elevator, hammer to sear engagement and disconnector check - With the safety off, pull the trigger and hold it in the rearward position. While looking into the ejection port, slowly and fully operate the action. As the action begins to move forward the shell lifter will elevate up under the bolt. Close the action completely. Carefully release pressure on the trigger. You ought to feel and hear the disconnector reset and that the hammer and sear are engaged. Pull the trigger again. The shotgun must dry-fire normally.

* This alternative firing pin check from “Gloves”, aka “Guantes”, a highly esteemed veteran police officer who’s retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD).

“We used to check the firing pin operation when going on shift and loading the unit. We found that you could use your index finger rather than a penny to check the pin operation. It only took a time or two to judge the distance to hold you finger off the bolt face to prevent a painful poke from the pin yet still feeling its operation.”

Here's a PDF for your convenience: Safety and Function Checks for the Slide or Pump Action Shotgun - kilogulf59.pdf

Take care and stay safe,
Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59
Integrated Close Combat Forum

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Please note: prior to commenting or passing judgment, either in a positive or negative manner, I suggest you read About Joe Doakes’ Place and the Disclaimer assuming you haven't already. Thank you.

Load and Unload the Slide or Pump Action Shotgun

Mossberg 500 with an 18½-inch cylinder

bore barrel and five round magazine

With reference to keepitsmart's post Quick, Courteous, and Safe Unloading of the Remington 870, I had commented in post #12 that I used to unload my 500 using the loaded chamber method. By unloading the magazine first then ejecting the shell from the chamber. Now I realized that I can use basically the same method that keepitsmart spoke of for the 870. I like that because it works for both the 870 line, the Mossberg 500/590 line, and the Maverick 88 pump shotguns. I included a (my) loading method as well, since loading and unloading training goes hand-in-hand. Whichever way you choose to load and unload your shotgun, make sure it's a safe way and then, if it's working for you, stick with it. Consistency is the key.

As always, please feel free to correct me or to suggest additions.

Load and Unload the Slide or Pump Action Shotgun

Please note - The method described below is but one way to unload a pump shotgun. With minor variations, this method essentially works for most pump shotgun types.

To load the chamber (Condition 1 carry):

1. With the shotgun held at the grip with the strong hand, the SAFETY ON, and the weapon pointed in a safe direction, depress the action release and open the action.

2. In your off hand, have a shell nested at the base of the fingers with the brass case/rim towards the little finger.

3. Come up under the receiver, with the rear of the palm at the loading port, and roll the shell into the open ejection port.

4. Close the action thus chambering the round.

To load the magazine (Condition 1, 2, or 3 carry):

5. With the shotgun held at the grip with the strong hand, the SAFETY ON, the weapon pointed in a safe direction, and the action closed. (Note for Condition 2 or “cruiser ready” or Condition 3 or “cruiser safe” carry, the chamber will be cleared and checked first.)

6. In your off hand, have a shell nested on the base of the fingers with the brass case/rim towards the little finger.

7. Come up under the receiver at the loading port, lift the shell into the open ejection port, and insert it fully into the magazine by pressing it in with the thumb. Repeat until the magazine if fully loaded.

To unload the chamber (Condition 1 carry):

1. With the SAFETY ON and the weapon pointed in a safe direction, depress the action release.

2. Slowly open the action and catch the ejecting shell. Now, with the action fully open, dump the next shell, which is now on top of the carrier/elevator, out into your hand. On Mossberg type actions, you may have to push the shell up off the elevator with your finger.

To unload the magazine (Condition 1, 2, or 3 carry):

3. With the SAFETY ON and the weapon pointed in a safe direction.

Remington 870 type actions

Mossberg 500 type actions

4. Check the receiver and chamber again and close the action.

General Notes:

These steps can and should be easily performed without looking at the shotgun, i.e. by touch alone. Your eyes ought to be scanning.
When loading, the way you grasp the shells depends on how they’re carried. Their orientation is critical. Find the easiest, most secure, and consistent method that works for you and stick with it.
Always practice with dummy training shells.

A PDF for your convenience: Load and Unload the Slide or Pump Action Shotgun

Take care and stay safe,
Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59
Integrated Close Combat Forum

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Please note: prior to commenting or passing judgment, either in a positive or negative manner, I suggest you read About Joe Doakes’ Place and the Disclaimer assuming you haven't already. Thank you.

A Handgun Presentation or Draw Method + EU/ED

A Handgun Presentation or Draw Method

Simplicity is the key to survival and with that stated - my handgun presentation is a circular continuous motion and remains the same whether I am carrying concealed (preferred) or not. Moreover, it works fundamentally similar for strong side (customary mode), appendix, or cross-draw carry.

For the sake and simplicity of explanation, let us assume I am carrying concealed at roughly the three-o’clock position:

The gun hand sweeps under the cover garment, from the front, in somewhat of a chopping motion, and down towards the holstered weapon. The fingers rather spread, with the little finger leading through and under the garment. The fingertips maintain a faint contact with the body.
Whilst the hand nears the holsters low-front area, it starts the upward motion of the circle and the ring and middle fingers making contact with the grip.
Simultaneously, the thumb releases the thumb-break, (even if there isn’t one, I keep the movements the same, constantly) and I complete the grip by pulling the weapon up into the hand, as the thumb comes around to complete the grip.
The elbow then comes straight up and, just as the weapon clears the holster, the gun hand/forearm is brought parallel to the ground and the elbow comes down (EU/ED…explained below) into a close or quarter-hip position (or continues out and into the appropriate shooting or so-called ready position).

I trust my analysis was comprehensible as I found it a bit difficult to clarify.

Points to ponder:

The entire process is to be executed is a smooth and flowing manner.
While technically a finger initiation grip, the pistol is hardly in motion prior to the thumb completing the grasp.
It is well to remember to grip the weapon in a vice-like convulsive manner with a locked wrist and rigid forearm.

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Dave James’ Elbow Up – Elbow Down or EU/ED .

Dave James is a retired Peace Office and, if memory serves me, U.S. Army combat veteran. He also grew up with, and was tutored by, some pretty big men in the field, fathers of the trade, so to speak, such as Col. Charles Askins, Mr. Delph C. "Jelly" Brice, and Mr. William Henry “Bill” Jordan to name but a few. Additionally, Dave’s great-grandfather, a Civil War vet, and his grandfather were both marshals, his father, a Navy flyer and intelligence officer knew and learned from them all, and so did Dave.

As Mr. James explains it: “Elbow Up/Elbow Down, plain and simple, has been around for ages, but I believe it was the gentleman from Singapore (William Ewart Fairbairn) that brought it in to the light as printed word.

(Picture if you would a circle flat alongside your body, like holding a spoke less wheel.)

Drawing: The hand goes to weapon, the web of hand seats high on the back strap (revolvers) or tight under the grip tang (automatics), fingers lock down and as you draw the thumb locks down, LOCK your wrist. Accomplished correctly you will feel the muscle along the forearm quiver a tad, this is the “prime” grip.*

(Picture in your mind an old pitcher pump or well pump.)

Keeping the elbow IN, do not let it flop around, draw the elbow straight up so the handgun clears the holster (priming/drawing water), as the handgun clears you push the elbow straight down and foreword, (flushing the pump). For some this works better when dropping the shoulder a tad ala Bill Jordan.

Now as the draw is completed you may choose where to lock in and shoot. You may go to the top of the holster, slightly forward at the hipbone, again forward to the side of the belly (for us fat guys), or even all the way out to the navel. Kind of like the old FBI crouch, Bryce inspired in my opinion.

The support hand can be just about anywhere but I was taught to have it up and into the chest/gut area in case needed. This all done with the hand and wrist locked, arm/elbow locked into the body.

If needed you continue to push the gun forward and up to the sights for distance shooting (re-priming the pump).”

* Note: Currently, with large frame double-column pistols, the tight grip and locked wrist are all the more important. This is because for some people the “prime” grip is not possible. Therefore, it follows that as long as the wrist is locked, the grip solid and tight, the recoil still flows along the arm. The only thing left to do is find the body point that fits you and the weapon used.

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Joe Doakes'/Kilogulf59’s Note: To explain EU/ED’s usage in my own words and as I understand it, it is a simple technique of drawing which gives one the ability to fire instantly upon completion, if necessary. For example, based upon the time/distance factor, firing at the holster top (at ED) is the fastest shot possible for a particularly close distance. EU/ED is the starting point in the shooting continuum that finalizes itself with two-handed sighted fire. The “correct” point in this continuum at which one decides to shoot is not chiseled in stone. It is however, based upon the individual's skill, ability, and comfort level. It is just that simple folks…

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For your convenience...

A_Handgun_Presentation_or_Draw_Method.pdf
Elbow_Up__Elbow_Down_or_EU-ED_-_James.pdf

Take care and stay safe,

Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59
Integrated Close Combat Forum

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Please note: prior to commenting or passing judgment, either in a positive or negative manner, I suggest you read About Joe Doakes’ Place and the Disclaimer assuming you haven't already. Thank you.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday

Frederick Stanley Mockford, a senior radio officer

at Croydon Airport in London circa 1923

I found this interesting as I like trivia. The subject of the origin and meaning of the voice-procedure radio communication distress signal "mayday" came up, somehow, in beer conversation. This is what I found;

"The "mayday" procedure word was originated in 1923, by a senior radio officer at Croydon Airport in London. The officer, Frederick Stanley Mockford, was asked to think of a word that would indicate distress and would easily be understood by all pilots and ground staff in an emergency. Since much of the traffic at the time was between Croydon and Le Bourget Airport in Paris, he proposed the expression "mayday" from the French m'aider ('help me'), a shortened form of venez m'aider ('come and help me'). It is unrelated to the holiday May Day.

Before the voice call "mayday", SOS was the Morse code equivalent of the mayday call. In 1927, the International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington adopted the voice call mayday as the radiotelephone distress call in place of the SOS radiotelegraph (Morse code) call."

That was an excerpt from the full article Mayday - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, which includes actual recordings of mayday calls.

Take care and stay safe,
Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59
Integrated Close Combat Forum

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Please note: prior to commenting or passing judgment, either in a positive or negative manner, I suggest you read About Joe Doakes’ Place and the Disclaimer assuming you haven't already. Thank you.