Barrel shroud
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A barrel shroud is an external covering that envelops the barrel of a firearm to prevent unwanted direct contact with the barrel. Moving coverings such as pistol slides, fore-end extensions of the gun
An MG-42 medium machinegun with a fully shrouded barrel.
An L85A2 rifle with a partially-shrouded barrel
A Winchester Model 12 combat shotgun with a barrel shroud and attached bayonet.
Handguard
Combat shotgun
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A combat shotgun is a shotgun issued by militaries for warfare. The earliest shotguns specifically designed for combat were the trench guns or trench shotguns issued in World War I. While limited in r
Barrel shroud
…of shots can heat up a barrel enough to injure the user in certain circumstances. Barrel shrouds are also used on pump-action shotguns. The military trench shotgun features a ventilated metal handguard with a bayonet attachment lug. Ventilated handguards or heat shields (usually without bayonet lugs) are also used…
Confederate cavalryman with muzzle-loading shotgun
A group of US Marines in Iraq in 2005, armed with a combat shotgun, assault rifle, and squad automatic weapon
United States Marine carrying a Winchester M97 shotgun
A Mossberg 590 being used by a US Marine for door breaching in Karma, Iraq, in 2005