POTD: The Lightweight M26 Modular Shotgun In Action With MPs
Soldiers with the 554th Military Police Company conduct range training and qualification on the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System at Panzer Range Complex in Böblingen. The M26 MASS, a 12-gauge manually operated shotgun, mounts directly under the M4 carbine or fires as a standalone weapon.
Weighing just three pounds in its underbarrel configuration, the system cycles through a straight-pull bolt that operates identically from either side, accommodating left- and right-handed shooters without modification.
Soldiers qualify across its full mission envelope: door-breaching slugs for forced entry, less-lethal rubber rounds and chemical-dispersing shells for crowd control, and conventional buckshot for close-quarters lethality.
The versatility resembles a tactical musician's instrument more than a point-and-shoot tool, requiring the operator to understand load selection and read each engagement before firing.
Photo credit: U.S. Army photo by Lucien Phillips
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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I could tell by the walls and backstop that it was a German range. They demand sound mitigation and an easily maintainable range environment.
"Every suspect is a trained killer."
We have nine of these at my unit and got to train with them at SAW-E, (Small Arms Weapons Expert). We shot them both mounted to M-4A1s and stand alone and they're a hoot to shoot! Two things: 1. The standalone stock has a shock absorber, so it doesn't kick as bad as you'd think. 2. Like the Winchester 1897 and Ithica 37, you can hold the trigger down and "Slam fire" the M-26. Like I said, hoot to shoot!