quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Doesn’t matter what brand you get-the gold standard for ammo is Federal Flight Control 00 buck.

It’s amazing once you print some for yourself. My mossberg 18” riot barrel will put it in 3” at 15 yards. Yes 15 yards.

My M2 also LOVES this round.

This post brings back memories of a tactical shotgun class many years ago with Randy Lee. I used my Benelli M2 Tactical and it did great. Recoil did not bother me although we fired a hell of a lot of shells (shooting down a 4x4 post was the challenge).

I think everyone has hit the most popular models Beretta: 1301 Mod 2 or A300 Patrol; Benelli: M4 EXT or M2; Mossberg: 940 Pro Tactical SPX.
What has been ignored is the Remington V3 Tactical. I have the older model, the Versa Max Tactical and it has been flawless shooting anything and everything. I’ve tested it with bird shot, target loads, slugs, and 00 Buck in 2 3/4 and 3” shells all mixed together in the same magazine and it shoots everything and anything. The Remington is interesting as its piston system is similar to the Benelli ARGO but the Versa Port system is arguably an updated and more simple system. Last time I checked, the Remington only comes with a fixed improved cylinder. The fit and finish of my Versa Max Tactical is easily the equal of my Benelli hunting shotgun. I haven’t seen a V3 Tactical in the wild, so I can’t comment on its fit and finish. However, the 870s I have looked at since their bankruptcy did not have any fit and finish issues.

A sleeper is the IWI TS-12 shotgun. It is a bullpup semi-auto that has three rotating magazine tubes (5 rounds each) for a total of 15 rounds plus one in the chamber. They reportedly need about a 200 round break in period but work reliably afterwords with good ammo. They are bulky but for a self-defense shotgun, it’s hard to imagine someone ever needing more than 15-16 rounds.

One final thought, a recoil action like the Benelli M2 may be finicky with gizmos and gadgets added to the system as weight can lead to reliability issues with the inertia system.

Just thought I'd do a quick update on the Turknelli M4 clones. Just for fun I watched a couple of Youtube videos on these, and they were almost universally hated. Most of them seemed to jam every 3 rounds. Just total POS. Had I seen these videos 2 years ago, I never would have bought mine.

This inspired me to take my Turknelli to the range this morning. I believe I have about 500 rounds through it and still haven't cleaned it. Shot a variety of 00 buck shot. Cheap Sterling stuff, some Winchester military grade stuff, and 10 rounds of the Federal Flight Control. Probably a total of about 50 rounds. Gun ran flawlessly.

As best I can recall, this gun has never choked in 500 rounds, most of which was cheap stuff. However, I do generally run 00 buck exclusively. This is primarily a home defense gun, so shooting bird shot through it seems kind of pointless.

However, I agree with other posters, I probably got lucky with my cheap ass clone. You'd be better served with a Beretta (1301 or A300) or a Benelli (I'd look at the M2 if you want to save some money). People also seem to like Mossberg, but I have no experience with one.

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInAR:
I did not need to see this now.

Sorry, friend.

How much do you want to spend? Alot Beretta 1301 or Benelli. Less than alot Beretta A300.

After watching a metric ton of YouTube videos and reading articles, the A300 UP seems to be the best balance. I almost jumped on that Palmetto State Armory Christmas deal, but the freaking sales tax here in AR made it a smidge pricey. I'm gonna see if I can pick one up in WV. I've already got my eye on some GG&G improvements.

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInAR:
I've already got my eye on some GG&G improvements.

I'm curious what you're thinking of.

Zhukov handguard (to facilitate placement of a light), charging handle (just because), and mag tube/barrel clamp replacement (just because again).

Don't want to be a jerk, never seen or touched a 940, but based on what I saw several people go through with 930's, I'd rather have a 500 or a 590.

One other plus for the IWI TS-12 - it looks like it could be the Space Force standard issue long gun.

Fun to shoot. I've not had any problems with reliability.

You should check out Genesis 12. AR config (DPMS 308) lower. Very low recoil. Really compact and puts all other contenders to shame when you compare recoil and followup shots. FBI purchased them recently. Lots of youtube videos on these. I wish I had heard of them before getting a 1301.

My FN SLP Mk1 has run perfect since I got it in 2009. I ran it in 3-gun for several years and take it out to shoot fairly regular. I've got both pistons so just doing regular maintenance has kept it ready for anything.

quote:

Originally posted by xmod:
You should check out Genesis 12. AR config (DPMS 308) lower. Very low recoil. Really compact and puts all other contenders to shame when you compare recoil and followup shots. FBI purchased them recently. Lots of youtube videos on these. I wish I had heard of them before getting a 1301.

You can get these with FRT’s as well…the magazines are quite long, but the videos out there show FRT-equipped Genesis 12’s emptying them in a few seconds!

quote:

Originally posted by Creeping_Death:
You can get these with FRT’s as well…the magazines are quite long, but the videos out there show FRT-equipped Genesis 12’s emptying them in a few seconds!

Aside from being completely impractical (and hazardous) for home defense, opening one up to lawsuits and criminal prosecution by an overzealous district attorney, the cumulative recoil would be crushing.

A firearm which is empty in a split-second could get you killed.

Agreed.

I have an FRT in one of my AR's. It's a fun range toy, but not really practical. Even with the modest recoil of an AR I struggle to keep more than the first 4-5 rounds on target. More practice and better recoil management would certainly help. But I can't imagine trying to do that with 20 rounds of 00 buck.

The price alone would keep me from a Genesis. If I'm choking on the cost of a 1301, a Genesis is akin to deliberately hanging myself.

Once you end up in the neighborhood of a $2k shotgun, you gotta ask, ‘can I do ok with my 870’?

I think for many/most, the answer is yes.

^^^^^

A couple of months ago, headed to the clays range one evening, I thought to myself: “Gee, maybe I should get myself a better gun sometime.” And then I remembered that I don’t shoot well enough to justify a more expensive gun.

That evening, my trusty 11-87 failed (charging handle fell out… again). One of the old-timers there said, “Here, finish your round” and handed me his sweet Caesar Guerini over/under. Man, for the next 4-5 stages, I hit frickin’ everything! And then I thought, “Hey! Maybe I can get myself a better gun!

And right after that thought, I couldn’t hit a darned thing.

Back to the old 11-87 I go!

Like I said in the first post, I had bought this old Remington 870, had that solid silver lift. Ceracoated it black, Magpul furniture, Nordic mag extension and side saddle, XS sights...it was a fun gun. Sold it (like an idiot) when I started down the suppressor/SBR road.

But that was like 15 some years ago. And I never had a semi. And I have no clue how to put a light on a pump.