The shotgun was widely issued and used in Viet Nam. Mostly Remington 870s but also re issued Winchester 1897s and others. Many soldiers walking point preferred them to break up an ambush or to dissengage from a sudden enemy encounter.
Shotguns were common among Navy seals, LRRPs, vehicle drivers, Helicopter and prop plane drivers and not a few line doggies
There was no stigma in issuing this weapon nor was it difficult to obtain for troops who had a reasonable use for them.
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