How to Properly Shoot a Shotgun

Here we’ll go over major parts of pump and semi-automatic shotguns. We’ll then cover stance and how to safely load and unload.

But before we do, now is another good time to review our safety rules.

• All guns are always loaded
• Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
• Keep your fingers off the trigger until your sights are on the target
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it

Parts of a Pump Action Shotgun

Here are the typical parts of a pump action shotgun.

From our Types of Guns article, you know that you have to manually pump the fore-end to load each shotgun shell. 

Here is a great video that goes over how everything in a pump action works.  The reviewer is using inert aluminum snap caps to demonstrate loading and unloading.

Parts of a Semi-Auto Shotgun

Here are the typical parts of a semi-automatic shotgun.

Semi-automatic shotguns use the energy from shooting to automatically load the next shell.  The Benelli M2 uses an inertial system while other semi-autos may use gas or other systems.

Here's how to load and unload a shotgun:

How to Shoot a Shotgun

Now that you know the major parts of both pump and semi-automatic shotguns, as well as how to load and unload, here are a few tips of how to shoot them.

• Hold the standard grip with your firing hand and place your weak hand on the fore-grip.

• Keep your feet shoulder width apart with slightly bent knees.  I would recommend being a little more square with the target and leaning forward a little to mitigate recoil.
• Place the shotgun firmly in the pocket of your shoulder.  This is important since if you don’t have a firm plant, you’ll end up really feeling the shotgun as it hits you.
• Get a good cheekweld on the stock

Here’s a quick primer on how to load and shoot a pump shotgun:

With some more details on how to reduce the recoil with some tension and stance:

These just begin to skim the surface of getting proficient at the shotgun. For more in-depth info, I would recommend signing up for a well reviewed course near you, or at the very least, picking up Magpul’s awesome DVD, Art of the Dynamic Shotgun.