Southern Michigan Gun Club Hosts - Jonathan Willis for Shotgun Essentials
WHEN : Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, 0900 - 1700 (approx)
WHERE : Southern Michigan Gun Club
22471 38th Ave, Mattawan, MI 49071
ABOUT SHOTGUN ESSENTIALS
Student Expectation - *ALL students will possess a basic understanding of the operation and firing of their chosen shotgun in order to participate in this course. Any person who does not may be asked to leave.
It is commonly accepted that the shotgun represents one of the most powerful defensive tools available. This is our first level course in helping you build the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to employ it.
The focus of this 8-hour course is to assist students in developing the proficiency necessary to operate the shotgun in a home based, defensive context. Topics covered will include:
- Shotgun selection and set up
- Shotgun parts, types, and nomenclature
- Ammunition types and selection
- Safe loading/unloading methods
- Ready positions and target engagement
- Recoil mitigation (Push/pull method)
- Defensive buckshot selection and patterning
Segments of the course will be sent in video format to, and viewed by, all participants prior to class day. This allows each student to ensure their chosen shotgun will be properly set up upon arrival, allows students to receive (and keep) the classroom content as a resource to revisit if needed , and allows us to enjoy maximized time on the range to build skills. You will have adequate time to run any questions or concerns by Jonathan prior to class day.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Reliable pump or semi-automatic shotgun. ie 1301, A300, 870, 590 etc. (This class is developed for tube fed shotguns with a stock, no magazine fed, no bull-pups)
- Sidesaddle Shotgun mounted shell carrier (all drills are based upon what's on or in the shotgun) (Recommend Aridus Industries or Vang Comp)
- Eye protection and Ear protection (Electronic preferably for your benefit)
- Clothing appropriate for weather conditions (sun shirts / wide brimmed hat / rain gear)
- Hydration, snacks, lunch?
- 150 rounds of Birdshot (LEAD SHOT ONLY, Cheap is fine if it cycles your gun)
- 40 rounds of Buckshot (5 ROUNDS at least of your chosen defensive buckshot for patterning. The rest can be generic)
- 10 Shotgun slugs (Recommend Low-recoil Defensive)
** EACH STUDENT WILL PAY A $25 RANGE FEE AT BEGINNING OF COURSE**
