Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather

I have read that the shotguns were so feared that German soldiers made a practice of executing any allied soldiers caught with a shotgun.

In Vietnam (1969-71) we were still using the Winchester 97's and Model 12's. Some were made as "trench guns" with heat shield and bayonet lug, some were plain "riot gun" type. Standard ammo was 2-3/4" copper-plated 00-buckshot. Also issued in smaller quantities were fleshette rounds, loaded with dozens of steel darts (like small nails with fins). Both were very effective out to 50 yards or so from cylinder-bore barrels.

In more recent years our military has developed specialized shotguns called "breaching" guns. Short-barreled 12-gauge shotguns with ammo designed for breaking through doors and gates by destroying hinges or locks. I suspect that there have been at least a few incidents of close combat with those being used against hostiles.

A good pump 12-gauge is probably the single most effective weapon for short range personal defense.