Do Marines use shotguns?
Mia Morrison
Updated on March 31, 2026
Today shotguns are still part of U.S. and NATO arsenals. The U.S. Marine Corps fields both the Mossberg 500 series pump shotgun , 590 series shotgun, and M1014 semi-automatic shotguns . The U.S. Army, is replacing Mossberg 500 series shotguns with the new M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System, or MASS .
What shotgun does the Marine Corps use?
The M1014 is a pure combat shotgun designed for fighting in close quarter's situations. Benelli built the M1014 from the ground up to meet the Marine Corps requirements.Does the US military use shotguns for combat?
Military Shotguns are devastating close-range weapons that are brutally efficient in close-quarters combat (CQC). Most bad guys can't take a blast of 00 buckshot and shake it off.What kind of guns do they use in the Marines?
The basic infantry weapon of the United States Marine Corps is the M16 assault rifle family, with a majority of Marines being equipped with the M16A4 service rifle, or more recently the M4 carbine—a compact variant.What guns do the Marines use in 2021?
As Task & Purpose previously reported, Marine grunts in close combat formations will start receiving 5.56 small arms suppressors from Knight's Armament Company for use on the Corps' arsenal of M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, M4 carbines, and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle Weapons in fiscal year 2021.Benelli M1014 shotgun is for the Marine Corps only
What guns do Marines use in boot camp?
Unlike the other branches, Marine recruits qualify with the same M16 rifle they've been carrying around with them throughout the entire basic training course. Therefore, you should treat your rifle well every day to make sure that it's in good shape for qualification day.Is it illegal to use shotguns in war?
Shotguns. Yeah, it may sound crazy, but Germany tried to argue in World War I that shotguns were an illegal weapon. Don't worry; you're not a war criminal.What is the current military shotgun?
The most common type of shotgun used for this purpose is the manually operated, slide-action/pump-action type like the Remington M870 or Mossberg 590A1. The latter is currently the pump-action of choice for US armed forces, and both have seen service with other militaries.Does special forces use shotguns?
Shotguns were issued to special operations forces, ship crews, boarding parties, and U.S. Marine Corps Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Teams. The U.S. Army's Delta Force fielded a cut-down pump action shotgun fitted underneath the barrel of an M16 pattern rifle.Do all Marines carry a sidearm?
The tradition of issuing pistols to officers as a primary weapon is being phased out by many nations. The United States Marine Corps, for example, requires all enlisted personnel and all officers below the rank of Lieutenant colonel to carry the M27 IAR as their primary weapon.Do the Marines still use the 1911?
The M1911 pistol was in official US military service from 1911 to 1985, and some US troops continue to use it.What do Marines carry?
Check them out below:
- Beretta M9 pistol. A US Marine fires an M9 pistol. ...
- Beretta M9A1 pistol. A US Marine fires an M9A1 pistol. ...
- Colt M45A1 close quarters battle pistol. A US Marine fires an M45A1. ...
- Glock 19M or M007 conceal carry weapon. ...
- M1014 joint service combat shotgun. ...
- M500A2 shotgun. ...
- M16A4 rifle. ...
- M4 carbine.