Motorcycle Cops & Shotguns....

[Patriot]

I was driving home from school today (basically have a half day on Fridays ) when something caught my eye in front of me.

Now when I say in front of me, keep in mind that I was stopped at a red light behind the line, while in front of me, idling astride the crosswalk and partially in the intersection, was a motorcycle police officer.

That aside, what caught my eye was the PGO* shotgun strapped to the back along w/ the the realization that I had been "swept" by the muzzle as he passed me and entered the crosswalk/intersection (Three lanes, I was in the far left lane, the officer was in the middle, shotgun was parallel to the back of his bike.)

Not to mention maintenance and retention issues (the shotgun did not appear to be cased), aren't there departmental guidelines on the proper storage of firearms? Am I too sheltered? Do motorcycle cops normally drive to and fro with shotguns strapped or mounted to the back of their bikes? Even though I understand the shotguns are not supposed to have one in the chamber, it still seems like a blatant violation of Rule #1.

I know we have some LEOs on this board...care to comment?

*Either PGO or a very low profile folding stock

[MudCamper]

http://www.cabelas.com/products/Cpod0028830.jsp

[Patriot]

FWIW it did not appear to be in a case, just mounted/strapped somehow...and the muzzle thing was a little unnerving.

The closest to a safe direction on a motorcycle, I'm thinking, is muzzle pointing down, parallel to the side of the bike

[Black Majik]

I've seen those Remington 870s on the back of Motorcycle Officers for a while now. It had the Marine Magnum nickel finish on it right?

[Cazach]

I see it a lot. IIRC it is a result of the North Hollywood shootout.

[Python2]

Iwill be concerned if said shotty is in the hand of the LEO sweeping me. If it was stationary in the bike, no big deal, but I sure like to see it pointed downward though.

[Timberwolf]

I see the motors with 'em all the time. Normally folding stocked and in a scabbard in the right side or in a holder accross the back. Guess they realized that motor cops need a little more firepower too.

[rorschach]

Dont worry, it was probably locked, most likely with loaded tube, empty chamber. Those Lectro-Locks that wrap around the shotgun usually wont allow it to be pumped while locked in the rack.

I recall reading an LAPD document on the web about the motorcycle shottys. Rem 870s and some old Ithacas were fitted with folding stocks, and bikes outfitted with the rack and lock. One of the problems they were having was the 00 buck shells falling apart from the vibration of the bike...officers were finding powder and loose shot in the tubes after a while, now ammo in motor shottys are rotated more frequently.

[DedEye]

Coming back from a Dodgers game in LA I saw a cruiser model (PG) shotgun (probably a Mossberg 500) on the side of the bike, but it was more safely mounted with the barrel facing forward and down.

[M. Sage]

One of the problems they were having was the 00 buck shells falling apart from the vibration of the bike...officers were finding powder and loose shot in the tubes after a while, now ammo in motor shottys are rotated more frequently.

Well if they'd ride bikes that aren't designed to rattle fillings out... Something Japanese, maybe?

Their bikes would be a lot less expensive then, too.

[Patriot]

Hmm, guess I just don't run into enough motorcycle cops.

I didn't ID the gun - black finish, PG or folding stock, some sort of mount = all I know.

Coming back from a Dodgers game in LA I saw a cruiser model (PG) shotgun (probably a Mossberg 500) on the side of the bike, but it was more safely mounted with the barrel facing forward and down.

I would like to see them stored in this manner all other things being equal.

[t001]

How about this? I always thought these guys are uber-cool:



"Bang...aw, aw, aw, my butt...."

(Pic courtesy of HKPro.com)

[slowjonn]

You should see La Palma PD and their motor mounted AR-15's.

[Moonclip]

I have yet to see a rifle or subgun on a bike and I do live by La Palma so I'll have to check that out. Orange PD seems to have had the 870 Marine Magnum with the folder(just like mine) it seems for a long time now.

I've seen motorcycle units in Mexico with a full stock shotgun mounted many years before the trend to do this in the USA got more popular. I do think Vernon PD in the old days also had full stock shotguns mounted and had the shotgun shell deterioration problem too. Rotation of ammo seems key.

If I move to a free state I'd love to mount one on my motorcycle

[jester]

I've seen Torrance PD motors with MP5's mounted to the top of the side-saddle thingy's..