Weapons That Changed the World

S02:E02 - The Combat Shotgun

Deadly at close quarters the Combat Shotgun is a powerful tool of the modern infantryman. Former U.S. Army Ranger and Air Force Pararescueman Wil Willis tests two rival shotguns carried by militaries today: the semi-auto Benelli M4 and the pump-action Mossberg 590. Wil meets early weapons expert Paul Masterson and test fires such forerunners as the mighty 17th Century Blunderbuss and the break-action doubled-barreled Coach Gun. But it’s three designs by weapons genius John Browning that take the shotgun to the next level. First, Wil gets his hands on an 1887 lever action model created for Winchester, then the World War One pump-action Trench Gun. This shotgun was effective for troops invading an enemy trench, and was said to be able to shoot grenades out of the sky. Wil tests this theory with explosive results. Next, is the first semi-automatic shotgun, the Browning Auto-5 that saw action into the Vietnam War. The Soviets had an answer to the Browning Auto 5, with the the semi-auto Saiga 12. It is based on the popular AK assault rifle , featuring a 30 round magazine. Finally, Wil tests the latest and lightest shotgun in the U.S. Army arsenal, the M26 modular system; an under-barrel shotgun attachment for the M4 assault rifle, providing devastating two weapons in one. Also, Wil gets shooting tips from 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Sgt. Vincent Hancock. Featuring 3-D animations, historic recreations, weapons tests against explosive targets and life-like ballistic gel torsos, this is the ultimate look at combat shotguns.