No, not usually. Yes, a pilot could select how many guns would fire and one can on rare occasion find where this, that or the other pilot says he switched off a pair of guns, but it was not doctrine or standard practice. Considering the reduction in available ammunition comparing the F4F-4 to the F4F-3, one has to decide which is better, more rounds out on a target or less rounds out on the off chance you might need more later.
None of the F4F-4 drivers I knew, certainly more than one could count twice on both hands, and some whose names would be recognizable, roundly poo-poo'd the concept when asked by an inquisitive youngster.
Also the F4F-4 has 6 guns, not 8.
The A6M drivers tended, in fighter action, to range in with their machineguns and the cut in with their cannon when the range was right, mostly because their cannon, compared to everyone else were pretty crappy. Also they had the problem of poor ergonomics for deflection gunnery which only reinforced the practice.
On the upside for someone in an F4F, F6F, F4U or FM, the pitter-patter of machinegun rounds was an instant warning to do something to get out of Dodge . . sharp turn and dive to the right comes to mine, something at which the A6M was not particularly adept, especially at speeds above around 275 knots.
One does not hear of this shutting down part of the battery from the 6 gunned F6F and F4U pilots. Presuming more than one tour, would not one who already was willing to do this in an F4F-4 be willing to do so in those mounts or at least explain why not . . . don't recall ever seeing anything either way nor hearing of same.
