Endurancing testing shotguns

[Printer]

While working in R&D as a test technician in the 80's, part of my job was endurance testing all our shotguns. I'd say it was probably the worst part of the job. We used to have to shoot 5000 rnd. endurance tests and annotate all malfunctions. While its sounds like a great job its tough on the shooter as you might imagine. Thank GOD we didn't have to do a lot of them. But I can say S&W shotguns were great guns. The guns held up better than the shooter-lol.
Bob St.George

 

[RWJ]

It was appreciated...

Bob,

For those of us who were carrying S&W3000 pump guns every day on the streets in those days, believe me, your efforts were appreciated.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Were you allowed to shoot the 1oz loads or did you have to
shoot the heavy 1 1/8oz 3 dram loads?

Those would really be a killer at the end of the test........
back in those days were you shooting Winchester AA ammo?

I would think your shoulder looked like a big purple plum ,when it was all over with................ouch !!

 

[Printer]

Hi Ed,
We did the testing, if I remember correctly, with slugs. They sure did a number on me but the guns came out fine.
Bob

 

[H Richard]

5000 slugs! I hope you had a sandbag between your shoulder and the gun butt.