Photo Information

A Marine with 2nd Intelligence Battalion fires an M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun during a live-fire range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 2, 2015. Marines conducted the range to familiarize themselves with the weapon system as well as bolster their confidence in employing it.

Photo by Cpl. Jorden Wells

2nd Intel Bn trains on shotgun range

9 Apr 2015 | Cpl. Jorden Wells The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Marines with 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in a M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun live-fire range at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 7, 2015.

The course of fire the Marines underwent consisted of patrol loading the weapon with two rounds and combat loading the weapon with a single round before firing.

“The purpose of this course is to familiarize the Marines with the M1014 Shotgun,” said Staff Sgt. David P. Landry, a platoon sergeant with 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, II MEF. “The M1014 is not a standard weapon and the command wanted them to be more familiar with the weapons in their armory.”

There are several differences with the weapon system that the Marines learned including the substantially greater recoil and the loading procedure.

“There are a few safety measures with this weapon we have to make the Marines aware of,” Landry said. “When you are loading the M1014, you must ensure your hand is clear of the chamber when sending the bolt home because it could crush your finger, and you must have better control of the weapon when firing because of the level of recoil.”

The Marines were also taught to adjust their shooting stance when shooting the M1014 to a wider, more bracing stance to ensure better weapon stability. The M1014 does not require an annual qualification, but can be used during room clearings, entry control points and vehicle checkpoints.

“Every Marine in the unit should be able to use all the weapon systems in their armory, should the need arise,” said Cpl. Jamison R. Christian, a squad leader with 2nd LEB. “Training opportunities like this are great because they not only improve the individual Marine, but also the unit’s overall mission readiness.”