How to effectively utilize an airsoft shotgun with devasting effect.

Airsoft shotguns, modeled after their real steel, or real firearm model, can provide some of the same uses and characteristics as the real gun. 

Shotguns, in the real world, are generally used for close quarters combat (or cqb in military speak) and provide a great platform to put alot of metal down range and onto a target.  With the use of buckshot, a shotgun can provide "spread"  of the projectiles, increasing the likelihood of a hit on target. 

Most airsoft shotguns in the past have resorted to firing only one 6mm bb to simulate the effect.  Well, that effect just doesn't cut it anymore.  Today, you can get great low cost shotguns under $100 that will fire 3 bbs in a spreading pattern which more closely resembles the real deal. 

Some of the problems with airsoft shotguns in the past were often related to the action of the airsoft shotgun or the way the shotgun is "racked".  Airsoft shotguns are generally racked or cocked just like the real steel but this action wreaked havoc on the sometimes plastic parts of the cheap shotguns.  Most of the newer shotguns today have real action and have that satisfiying aggressive "rack" sound  that a real shotgun makes. They have parts made of metal now that can withstand the racking abuse much like a real steel shotgun.  When we say "real steel", we generally mean a real honest to goodness rifle or shotgun. 

In the airsoft world, say in a cqb environment where you are often just on the other side of a wall with the enemy lurking around the corner, when that racking sound is heard, the enemy will know they are about to be on the receiving end of a barrage of 6mm bb's. Most people start heading the other way. 

There are two kinds of airsoft shotguns that you can get;

1) Pistol grip airsoft shotgun

2)  Full stock airsoft shotgun

Both are great for cqb.  Mostly it is personal choice for which one to get.  I prefer the full stock because I like to put the airsoft shotgun up into my shoulder.  Some people prefer pistol grip and fire it from the hip.  The pistol grip version can be a little easier to manouever around tight corners.

Let's discuss some of the proper uses of the shotguns. 

1) Cornering

I would use generally accepted cqb techniques such as pieing off corners and the like.  To see a great shotgun reloading video click on army shotgun reloading techniques.



This kind of reloading drills can also work with the airsoft shotguns that load with a shell.  Most of the airsoft shells can be shot 10 times per shell with 3 bb's in each shot. Then you would have to reload your airsoft shotgun and practice your drill. 

If the enemy was super smart. they might try to determine that you have shot all your ten shots, and then knowing you will have to reload, try to attack after your 10 shots.  To help combat this, I would work in pairs of 2 or stacks of 3-4 and always have someone loaded or covering.

2) Airsoft Shotgun Carry

I would carry your shotgun in a cqb setting generally in a low ready position with the tip of the barrel just slightly down and looking over the sights at your targets, once you are in a building and getting ready to go into a room, I would have the shotgun up in a ready position ready to fire.  If there are people in the stack ahead of you, I would keep the shotgun down, but your team might have their own SOP or Standard Operating Procedure.

3)  Friendly Fire

In an airsoft cqb environment, you must look out for friendly fire.  This is because there are multiple enemy and multiple threat areas. To help combat this, it is a good idea to have your airsoft team assign a challenging pass that only your team knows.  Once this is used a few times, it will be compromised, but it works at the beginning of the game. Choose a 2 word pass such as "Burger King"  When you see movement ahead and are not sure if they are enemy, yell out "Burger!"  If they are on your team, they should yell out "King!"  If they are on the other team, they wouldn't know why you are yelling Burger.  If they do not give the proper pass, then light them up.

2 Main types of airsoft shotguns

1) Spring
2) Gas

Most of the cheaper airsoft shotguns will be spring.  Most of the more expensive ones tend to be gas operated.  The cheaper spring ones work great, while the more expensive ones tend to be a bit better made with more metal. 

There are a few models out now under $100 that shoot well and shoot quite far, roughly 150 feet or so.  Try to get extra shells or mags for your guns, so that you don't get caught without ammo. 

Shotgun Extras

You can also grab accessories for your shotgun. Some of the better accessories are airsoft shotgun bandoleers for carrying extra shells, shell holder for buttstock, shell holder for receiver, and sling shell holder.  You can also get shell pouches to hold extra ammo.  Some models might have a tactical rail to attach flashlights. You do not need a scope on a shotgun.

Some Airsoft Shotgun Terms

Heat Shield:  Added to a gun to look more like a military shotgun, looks cool

Slam Fired:  A method of firing that allows you to shoot by pumping the shotgun rather than pulling the trigger.  While cool, it does cause stress to shotgun, and might result in breakage and less life expectancy of the gun.  Use sparingly.

Pistol Grip: Short grip like a pistol, used more for home defense.

Full Stock: Regular stock used more on military shotguns. Allows better recoil and sight picture by keeping shotgun in your shoulder and on target.

Airsoft Shotgun Shell: Shell used to keep bb's. usually holds about 30 and gets 10 shots to a shell.

Airsoft Shotgun Mag:  Some shotguns use mags, and hold bb's.

To summarize all that we have discussed so far, airsoft shotguns deliver a great "bang for the buck" in any airsoft type skirmish.