OpenTube

5 Shotguns Retired Cops Still Trust With Their Lives

Michael C. Donovan Page

3,202 views

A 12-gauge pump shotgun has ended some of the longest and most desperate firefights in law enforcement history. From the 1986 Miami shootout to the North Hollywood bank robbery, this video ranks the top five shotguns actually trusted by the officers who carried them, including the Winchester 1897, Ithaca 37, Mossberg 500 family, and Remington 870.

We break down why the patrol shotgun never actually left the police cruiser, what to look for when buying a verified police trade-in, and the current bankruptcy and legal battles threatening the biggest manufacturer on this list.

🔔 Subscribe to catch the next breakdown

10 Comments

@michaeldon007 Creator 5 hours ago Pinned

Subscribe for more !!

@DeanMackey-l9v 6 hours ago (edited)

When my Armored Cav Troop was temporarily assigned to guard the "Special Weapons" bunkers at Fort Knox, Kentucky those of us (myself included) familiar with pump action shotguns were issued Ithaca 37s and 20 rounds of 00 Buckshot. Our orders were short, sweet, and clear...."Shoot to kill any person or persons attempting to enter the "Special Weapons" bunker area without proper ID AND authorization." That was in 1982. Two young men from the Louisville area found out the hard way that the signage about "LETHAL FORCE AUTHORIZED BEYOND THIS POINT" was no joke or idle threat. As a side note the Law Enforcement agency I retired from in 2010 switched over to Mossberg 500 shotguns with rifle sights in 2000 and I currently own just such a shotgun with the same type of barrel for home defense.

@williamgrissom1995 5 hours ago

I bought a Mossberg 590a1 20 retrograde holding 8 rounds in the tube. I don't see myself having any problems stopping an attacker with it.
I did add a weapon light to it too.

@kirkneff2247 6 hours ago

Shotgun slugs would have ruined the North Hollywood bank robbers’ day, even if they had body armor. A slug would have knocked them down.

And buckshot up close will detach a leg.

A friend of mine was nearby and thought the noise was fireworks for a Mexican holiday, but couldn’t cite which one.

@lynnhockaday7033 2 hours ago

Ithaca 37 is my fav. I am on my second one. I also like Browning auto 5.

@kirkneff2247 6 hours ago

3:52 The shotgun in the photo is NOT an Ithaca 37.

@DenzilSinclair-u5n 8 hours ago

Mossberg 500!!!!!!

@georgeofthejungle4497 7 hours ago

with all of their various financial shenanigans over the past 25+ years, i will not buy a new Remington. My Rem gun is an April 1940 vintage Model 11. saw a 2020 vintage "Remlin" .30-30 lever gun. Remington should have been absolutely ashamed to let that rifle out of the factory...uneven stock finish, splotchy blueing, rattled like marbles in a bucket.