The US military
decided to provide its close-quarters combatants with the Remington 870 shotgun
in addition to their standard battle rifles as the Vietnam War grew more
intense and 18-year-old young men were sent off to war.
Manufacturers have also
noticed. More than 30 brand-new designs were on display at the 2017 Shot Show,
some of which came from manufacturers who had never previously produced
shotguns. The shotgun is unquestionably back on the rise when you factor in the
numerous accessories available. There is a shotgun for every circumstance, from
drum-fed door busters to short-stocked hand cannons.
But are these fresh designs
really what you want, or are they just an attempt to "reinvent the
wheel"? The Remington Forend pump shotgun was a battle-tested
firearm with a large following among veterans and military enthusiasts alike by
the time the United States withdrew from Vietnam in 1975. Many veterans brought
with them direct combat experience and first-hand knowledge of gun fighting
techniques when they returned home.
During the late 1970s and
early 1980s, a significant number of these seasoned gunfighters made the
decision to continue their service to their country by joining the police
force. During a time when the majority of Police, Sheriff, and Federal
departments were either creating or updating outdated policies and training
manuals to reflect what they had learned during their wartime experience, the Remington Forearm was widely accepted as a trusted friend when looking for additional
firepower to supplement their six shot service revolvers.
As a guide to what is best,
many modern shooters look for the newest and greatest. But do you want your
family's safety or your own to be dependent on a widget or gizmo that someone
added because they thought it was cool?