Training with TCA: Proper handling of the shotgun

There is no more iconic sound than the cycling of a pump-action shotgun - colloquially known as a shotgun or pump gun. Many instructors worldwide argue that this weapon is the best option for home self-defense. At the Tactical Combat Academy (TCA) in Slovakia, you can learn safe handling of the shotgun (all types!) - their training ground is located near Bratislava, a friendly 50 kilometers from Vienna.The course is structured similarly to the Pistol 1 and Pistol 2 courses. At the beginning, the controls of a shotgun are explained using the example of a Remington M870 by Head Coach Gabriel TROJCAK.

A Saiga 12 is also available as a rental weapon, which of course has slightly different handling, but this is also covered. If someone brings their own shotgun to train with, the specifics of that type of shotgun will also be covered, e.g. a semi-automatic shotgun.

After this introduction, the training really begins. First, normal loading and unloading are practiced, followed by firing the first shots.

Then the further details of handling: Forced reloading and intentional reloading are explained and carried out in live fire.

As a final exercise, after about 3 hours of learning and practicing and around 80 shots, everything previously learned is tested in an exercise involving target changes and all reloading variations. Above - in the video - you get a moving impression of this intense course.

In total, the course is very well done in terms of content and also economically attractive. The location of the event directly on the Slovak border is ideal for Austrian participants. The magic of this course for Austrians is that pump-action shotguns in Austria have been classified under weapons category A since 1995 due to specific legislation. So, if you want to train legally with a pump gun, Slovakia is the place to be.

We also attended the advanced course "Homedefence," which combines and expands on the shotgun and pistol courses. We will present our impressions in another article soon.

HERE you can learn more about TCA and book dates.

TACTICAL COMBAT ACADEMY on the Internet: www.tcacademy.at