U.S. Marines Train with M1014 Shotgun as Counter-Drone Solution Against Small Aerial Threats.

U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton used the M1014 shotgun in live counter-drone training during Exercise Steel Knight 25. The drills show how frontline units are adding practical, close-range tools to handle fast, low-flying aerial threats.

On December 2, 2025, during a training event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marines used the M1014 shotgun to engage small, low-flying drones as part of their regular Steel Knight 25 field regimen. Instructors described the work as hands-on, live-fire training that builds confidence and muscle memory for Marines who may face similar threats in dispersed or urban environments. The service is expanding these drills across multiple units as small drones become a routine presence in global conflicts.
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U.S. Marine Sgt. Emerick Wurstner fires an M1014 shotgun during a counter-small drone training range at Camp Pendleton during Exercise Steel Knight 25, Dec. 2, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton range puts U.S. Marines in realistic engagement scenarios, requiring them to detect targets visually, track them, and fire rapidly at drone-representative targets. These drills reinforced the shotgun’s role as a last-line defensive tool when drones approach too quickly or at altitudes too low for sensors or jammers to stop.

The M1014 (Benelli M4) is a 12-gauge semiautomatic shotgun with a gas-operated action for reliable cycling. Its 7+1 capacity, quick recoil recovery, and compatibility with various shells support close-range use. Specialized buckshot and frangible rounds spread to damage drone rotors, sensors, and lightweight frames.

U.S. Marines calculated leads, executed rapid shoulder transitions, and coordinated team firing—techniques essential for engaging drones that maneuver unpredictably. The training showed how the shotgun serves as an affordable, immediately available countermeasure that fills a critical gap in layered C-UAS (Counter Unmanned Aerial System) defense.

This approach is not unique to the United States. Several armies worldwide have begun using combat shotguns as counter-drone weapons due to their simplicity and low cost. Forces in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine, and multiple NATO members have fielded 12-gauge platforms for short-range drone interception, often pairing them with handheld radars or visual spotters. In recent conflicts, shotgun fire has proven particularly effective at stopping small quadcopters during reconnaissance or explosive delivery missions.

By incorporating shotgun-based counter-drone engagements into Steel Knight 25, the Marine Corps aligns its training with global best practices. Many militaries view the shotgun as a practical defensive tool that can be carried at the squad level, requires minimal electronics, and offers immediate lethality against small UAS that bypass sophisticated air-defense networks.

Officials supporting the event highlighted that enemy drone use is expanding rapidly, as adversaries rely on inexpensive commercial and military-grade platforms for surveillance and precision attacks. Units that quickly destroy these systems at close range strengthen force protection for expeditionary forces and enhance survivability during distributed operations.

Deploying the M1014 in counter-drone roles signals an immediate shift in U.S. defense priorities. As small UAS threats accelerate in both capabilities and numbers, the Marine Corps must act now by integrating combat-proven tools to ensure readiness in every environment.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.