An idea that traces its roots in the 1980s finally is put into the hands of combat troops. The M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS) is issued to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, based in Fort Campbell, according to PEO Soldier. The unit will soon conduct training and other activities to enhance their proficiency with the M26.

The M26 MASS can be mounted on under the barrel of the M4 or can act as a standalone weapon. While the M26 MASS is based on the Light Shotgun System developed by C-More Systems, the maker of some of the famous quick reflex sights, the origins of a shotgun weapon can be traced to the Knights Armament Corporation (KAC) with the KAC Masterkey, developed as a door breaching shotgun.

The advantage of having a mounted shotgun system that can be used for door breaching, and even for non-lethal rounds for crowd control allows troops to have a weapon at ready rather than carrying a separate weapon. With the M26 MASS already mounted under the barrel of the M4 assault rifle, troops making room clearing or even close quarters combat have it always at the ready --- no need to draw another firearm, giving them a quick tool when instantly needed for a situation. In Afghanistan, where troops are always searching for insurgents in villages with houses that are in tight arrangements, the M26 would be very handy.

The M26 can fire 12-guage shotgun shells and operated as a straight pull bolt-action with the bolt handle on the left side of the shotgun and is easy to recycle. It has a 3 or 5 round detachable magazine and the mounted version has an overall length of 16 inches while the standalone version, with stock collapsed, is 24 inches.

The 2nd BCT got the first chance at the M26 MASS "due to the unit’s profile and future deployment schedule" according to PEO Soldier. Below is a video made by Popular Mechanics.