4 replies to this topic

[Stalker]

What 12ga. shotguns do you recommend for competition at the same time for home defense? should i get it in pistol grip stock (like the AR15) or the standard stock? Pump or Semi-Auto? Accessories? (limited not open)

PS

How do you carry your ammo for the matches?

[pjb]

I just went through the same issue.
I was interesting in competiting in 3Gun.  However, there really is very little out on the web.

I ended up asking alot of people questions about their choice of guns.  Luckily I was in AZ for a couple of weeks.  I talked with people at Rio Salado and Dillon.
Combine with the folks here I finally came to these conclusions:
Winchester Practical-gas operated, heavy, new to competition.  Good overall impression.
Remington-lots of after market products, gas operated. Very popular, heavy
Benelli-not so many aftermarket products, recoil operated, very light swing.

Bottom lines were: Remington-reliability issues, Benelli-people who do shoot over/unders complain about recoil, Winchester-too new.

Costs: Remington $450+ then add on aftermarkets=$850
Winchester $800 ready to run
Benelli $800 plus $100 for extensions, etc

I went with Benelli with aftermarket products from Speed Shooters Internation and 3Gun Gear.  

Reason: High reliability differentiated it from the rest.  The costs were all about the same <$900.

BTW, I went with a M1 Field, 21inch vent rib barrel NOT their Tactical (Mag capacity issues and 18.5 inch ghost ring barrel.  Remeber the extension can only extend an inch beyond the barrel).

I took it out to the skeet range.  I shot my dad's ten year od reloads(yeah I know-could be dangerous), Winchester AA, Remington Gold, and Walmart cheap Winchester ammo.  Light loads to heavy loads. It all worked.  

PS: Be patient and you can find the right price for whatever model you want.

[Erik Warren]

An auto is pretty much a requirement to be competitive in three gun. It's faster target to target and spares you the recoil of a pump. But a pump can be competitive at local matches, especially if you are good at reloading.

For Limited, an auto with an 18-22" barrel is the ticket. Vent rib with bead or beads rules on steel but might be troublesome on slug shots. That's why people use rifle sights or ghost rings. Cylinder bores will scatter the pattern too much for long shots; get something tighter or with removable chokes. Standard stock.

pjb is way high on the Remington pricing and $100 low on the Benelli, though maybe he found a deal on a field model. I know the Winnies are going for $700 in the USPSA classifieds. He didn't mention another option, getting a Browning and hacking it down. Probably takes you beyond Win. cost into Benelli price range, though somebody on my squad at the nationals said it would only be $800.

I keep waiting to see the mythical Benelli reliability. So far it seems like the mythical Glock reliability. When my 27-year-old Remington finally gives up the ghost, I'll strongly consider a no-compromise Limited gun, which right now would be a custom Browning.

Ammo carry possibilities are endless. Choate stacks on the belt, a bandolier belt, buttstock, forend, receiver side, whatever. I went from a bandolier to stacks to now stacks plus sidesaddle.

A Limited shotgun makes a fine house gun.

[Carlos]

Search sub-forum "shooting techniques - rifle/shotgun" for reviews of Winchester and Benelli autos. I think you would do well with any properly modified Win X2, Benelli M1 or Rem 1100/1187.  When set up w/ proper ammo, they are all capable of winning (and all have won repeatedly - in the right hands).

Note to beginner - even if you only have a 5 shot pump right now, go compete. Starting out, you are not going to win, so just go have fun, learn a thing or two, and maybe ask some questions from those who shoot faster than you. If you are friendly and cool about it, chances are you will meet some other cool people willing to offer their opinions and maybe even let you try out their guns (you never know).

As for carriers, the Uncle M's buttstock carrier fits my skinny left forearm and offers 5 rounds right next to the port. I put another around the gun's barrel and forearm - again, right next to the port. They work - better than a side saddle I might add. Use what you hve; buy any of the above guns, go shoot.

(Edited by Carlos at 2:54 pm on May 9, 2002)

[kellyn]

I overhead Mike Voight say that if he was going to start over, he would go with the Browning/Winchester system.