Tip of the Day
Pattern your shotgun with the exact load you plan to use. Buckshot and birdshot behave wildly differently between barrels, chokes, and brands. Set a paper target at 7, 15, and 25 yards, shoot one round per distance, and circle every pellet. You’ll learn your true effective range, which choke actually tightens patterns, and whether that bargain ammo throws flyers. This takes twenty minutes and saves false confidence. Bonus move: label a spare choke tube for each load. When stress is high, muscle memory beats guesswork—and a patterned shotgun turns noise into predictable performance for defensive hunting and training sessions everywhere.
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Trivia Question❓
Before interchangeable choke tubes became common, many classic American shotguns were built with fixed chokes that subtly shaped how pellets spread downrange. Which three fixed choke types were most commonly found on vintage pump and double-barrel shotguns, how did each affect pellet spread at typical field distances, and why did hunters often choose different chokes for upland birds versus waterfowl?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter
Three Barrels, One Trigger: Inside the Chiappa Triple Threat Shotgun
The Chiappa Triple Threat is a distinctive three-barrel, break-action 12-gauge shotgun with three 18.5″ chrome-lined barrels and a single trigger that fires right, left, then top barrels. It ships with five interchangeable Rem-Choke tubes and weighs just over eight pounds. The stock can be converted into a pistol-grip “Mare’s Leg” style configuration, making it compact without requiring NFA paperwork. Reviewers found it well-made, balanced, and reliable, with manageable recoil and solid patterning at close range. While its price and niche role may limit broad appeal, it offers eye-catching novelty and capable performance for defense or close-range use.
Interesting Facts
Shotgun pellets don’t actually spread evenly in a perfect cone. Most loads form a dense central “core” with stray pellets around the edges, which is why patterning matters far more than barrel length myths.
Shorter barrels don’t reduce accuracy with shot the way people assume. Barrel length mainly affects handling and velocity, while the choke—not the barrel—controls how tight the pattern stays.
Early shotguns were often called “fowling pieces,” and many had smooth, unmarked barrels because standardized gauges didn’t exist yet. Gauge numbers were originally based on how many lead balls of that bore size equaled one pound.
Ed Head’s Take on the Chiappa Triple Shotgun: Extreme Design, Practical Realities
Ed Head reviews the Chiappa Triple Threat tactical triple-barrel 12-gauge: three 18.5-inch barrels, tang safety, red fiber-optic front sight, extractor (no ejection), and dual Picatinny rails for accessories. Markings show Chiappa/Charles Daly branding with Akkar (Turkey) manufacture. He praises the fitted case and choke tubes but would swap to three improved-cylinder tubes, noting the gun fires right, then left, then top. Balance is forward, and the 14.5-inch length of pull plus hard recoil pad feel wrong. Reliability was excellent; best buckshot patterns came from Hornady Critical Defense and Federal Flitecontrol. Street price about $1,495, for a niche buyer something extreme.
Quote of the Day
“The shotgun isn’t about precision—it’s about probability, preparation, and knowing exactly how your pattern behaves when it matters.”
Joke of the Day
I brought my shotgun to the range and everyone said, “You don’t need to aim that thing.”
Funny thing is, the guys who say that are always the ones shocked when they miss.
Secret Little Hack
Keep a Sharpie in your range bag and write the ammo type and pellet size directly on the shotgun’s fore-end or inside the case lid for the day. When switching between birdshot, buckshot, or slugs, this prevents the most common shotgun mistake—loading the wrong shell under stress. It sounds simple, but it eliminates hesitation, speeds reload decisions, and stops that sinking feeling when you realize you patterned buckshot but chambered something else entirely.
💡Answer to the Trivia Question:
Cylinder (widest spread for close targets), Modified (medium spread for general use), and Full (tightest spread for longer ranges). Upland hunters favored more open chokes for fast, close shots, while waterfowl hunters preferred tighter chokes for longer, crossing shots.
A Newsletter Dedicated to Responsible Gun Ownership, Education, and Tactical Operations.
Brought To You By:
Austin Warfield - Owner of C.O.P.S. Gun Shop - as a retired police officer, Austin has been involved in numerous community events over the years. His firm beliefs in the 2nd Amendment and the fundamentals that all citizens have the right to bear arms to not only hunt to provide for their family, but for defense either against their property and lives, but be able to prevent the overreach of government within our rights. he wants to share his joy of gun ownership with all safely and responsibly.
Chris Pine - Chris is a dedicated father and husband who also serves in the Oklahoma National Guard. He understands the sacrifices that 1st responders and the military make to protect our communities and rights for the greater good. He has a long-time love of firearms and competitive shooting. He is always looking for ways to share his knowledge with both new and experienced firearm enthusiasts.
Sam Wood: More Than Just a Writer
In the heart of a small, close-knit community where every face was familiar, Sam Wood learned life's most valuable lessons. His upbringing wasn't easy; he faced his share of hardships and adversities that tested his resolve. Yet, it was these very challenges that shaped his tenacity and belief in the power of perseverance. Sam often shares stories of the mentors and community figures who saw potential in him when he couldn't see it in himself, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community that raised him.
Sam's entrepreneurial spirit was kindled in his early twenties, leading him from a daring venture into a thriving business. His success as a business owner is a testament to his grit, but Sam is quick to point out that his journey was peppered with failures as much as triumphs. It's in discussing these moments of vulnerability that Sam truly connects with his readers, reminding them that every setback is just a setup for a comeback.
Though guns and advocacy have been his mainstay, Sam's life is rich with passions that paint the full picture of who he is. An avid outdoorsman, he finds peace and solace in the wilderness, often sharing tales of his expeditions hunting, fishing, and exploring. These adventures are more than hobbies; they're a return to his roots and a way to connect with the earth and himself.
Sam's commitment to making a positive impact is evident in his volunteer work, especially in educating young people about gun safety and responsible ownership. He believes in empowerment through knowledge, a value instilled in him by the mentors of his youth.
Family and friendships anchor Sam's world. He speaks fondly of family dinners that could easily pass for debates, where lively discussions on politics, history, and philosophy were the norm. These gatherings not only deepened his understanding of the world but also his convictions about gun ownership and personal freedom.
Sam's friends describe him as a man of integrity, grounded by the core values of freedom, responsibility, and respect. Yet, they're quick to point out his lighter side—his quick wit, love for practical jokes, and an uncanny ability to find humor in the mundane. It's this blend of depth and light-heartedness that makes his writing so compelling.
Despite not following a traditional educational path, Sam's knowledge and insights command respect. His writing, marked by a first-person conversational tone, wit, and humor, makes complex gun issues accessible and engaging. But more than that, it's a reflection of the man himself—complex, nuanced, and profoundly human.
Sam Wood may have started as a small-town boy, but through his resilience, he's become a beacon of inspiration and a voice for responsible gun ownership. Residing now in Comfort, Texas, he continues to advocate, educate, and connect with people through his stories and experiences. In every piece he writes, Sam aims not just to inform but to remind us of our shared humanity and the values that unite us.
