3 Gun Shotgun Recommendation?

[Hoo Ya]

Can someone recommend an entry level shotgun for 3 Gun competition that is reliable & competative? I know little about shotguns but would like to purchase such a shotgun to participate in local matches & use for personal/home defense. Thanks guys.

[willie_pete]

Benelli M2 or M4

WP

[Yar]

Remington 1100 or 11-87 w/ 21" barrel

[skorpio]

Off the shelf and go? Winchester SXII Practical. Synthetic stocks, adjustable rear sight, fiber optic front, adjustable gas system for light and heavy loads, +4 mag extension, pretty good trigger stock, invector chokes.

Only thing I've done to mine in 16 months of shooting is to velcro a side saddle on the left side of the receiver. Had a tricked out Rem 1100, but if you intend to do any serioius ammount of shooting the gun will probably start developing some issues. Mine did.

[9x45]

Benelli M1 Super 90 in 18-22", preferably early H&K made. Loads on carrier with the steel trigger group. Look at what the current 3 gun champions are using... Remington gas guns are soft shooting, but one day you will pull the trigger and half the parts will fall out. The Winchester SX2's were all the rage at one time, until they started to double feed, and no one knew how to fix them plus the fiber optic fronts break off like popcorn. It's not my opinion, just my observations from lots of 3 gun matches. You can't get by for cheap in any serious 3 gun.

[Hozer]

Easy. Benelli.

[Hoo Ya]

Thanks for the recommendations. Looks like the Benelli's are the top choices but I'm not sure I can afford one. Where can I purchase a Benelli for the best price. What about an 870, I hear they're bomb proof but a slide isn't as fast. As a new guy getting in wouldn't that be a wiser purchase?

[skorpio]

New guy getting in? Unless you like spending your money more than once get something good the first time so you don't have to replace it later.

M1 super 90 with a tube and sights is another great choice, as some have already stated. I replaced the Remmy with a SX II because that's what the shop I part time at sells. Only Gander Mountain and one other private shop around here sells Benelli, and I won't spend a penny at either one of those places.


Go to a match and see what shooters are using. I can almost guarantee you that someone will all but put their gun in your hands for you to try out. IMO, thats the best way to pick out a gun for you, let YOU see what works for YOU.

[Gombu]

I started out with a Mossberg 500 12AWG 7 +1. It has always worked for me. I plan to upgrade hopefully soon to a Mk1 SLP 22" semi auto 8 +1.

If you are looking for entry level I would look for a used pump Mossberg or Remington if you choose to get something else down the road either of these will still be good to hang on to.

[Hozer]

Go to gunbroker or something like that and look for a used M1. Lots of guys are dumping their M1s for M2s. Used but not abused M1s are running $550-750.

Best bet is a 21 inch barrel. After that 24 or 18 inchers.

[Hoo Ya]

OK you guys have me convinced. I'm going for a Benelli M4! They're $1396 at our local sportsmans Warehouse. Is that a good price or is there a better source. They only have the M4 with an 18.5 " barrel & 4+1 mag capacity. Where can I get a 22" barrel & 8+1 mag capacity?

[willie_pete]

You'll have to buy an aftermarket extension tube to get more than 4+1.

WP

[Hoo Ya]

WP, What brand would you recommend & do I need a longer barrel for an 8 round extension? How would you set up a M4 for 3 gun? Thanks for the help.

[Hozer]

M4s may have a high CDI factor, but I have yet to see anyone win a larger size 3-gun match with them.

I have seen several 18 and 24 inch M2s at the local Sportsmans Warehouse for well under a grand. M4 tubes are expensive. M4s are heavy. M4s dont have vent ribs. Lots of things stacked up against them compared.

[MCFooter]

Hoo Ya,

If your buying this for 3 Gun matches and are going to spend the money on a Benelli you should get the gun of choice.

Item# 11026 => M2 Field with a 21" Vent Rib Barrel..
Some will say get the 24" if your going to compete in Europe. The 24" is also a little easier to find and looks good with a 9 round mag tube. But will be longer and heavier than the 21".

I searched the world over to find the best price when I got mine and Marc at http://www.murphyshotguns.com/ had it at the time.

If you don't believe me read some of the post at http://www.brianenos.com/forums/.

If your not sure you want to play get a $150 Police trade in gun or better yet borrow a friends until you know your hooked.

Good luck.

[Hoo Ya]

MCFOOTER, Thanks for the info. Really appreciate the help before I made a bad, expensive decision! Does the M2 come with different chokes or do you have to select one & if so which do you recommend for 3 gun? Also can you recommend a 8 round one piece mag extension & where could I purchase that & a 6 round side saddle for the M2. Lastly, would you make any changes to the sights for 3 gun? Thnaks again for all the help! Semper Fi!

[MCFooter]

5 Chokes come with a new M2. It depends on several factors which choke you will want to use.
If you want a ~Flush or Sub Flush Barrel/Mag tube get a
8 Round for the 21" or 9 Round for the 24"

I would get either a DMW (Daves Metal Works) or a Nordic mag tube extension. People are speaking highly of the Nordic and is carried by Brownell's.
3 Gun Gear (http://3gungear.com) has an 8 round side saddle, forearm holder and a +2 side pack if your going to load strong hand. Weakhand is the fastest if you can manipulate 4 shells in your hand. See this Link (http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=9&f=13&t=225505) for more info on weakhand loading.

For sights I would get a Hi Viz Comp from Brownells or an Easy Hit from here (http://www.windwalkeroutdoors.com) I recently switched to the Easy Hit and really like it. You can also see Tom Knapps or the Benelli website for more Easy Hit info.

[Hoo Ya]

Thanks MCFooter! Checked out our local Sportsmans Warehouse today & they had a 24" M2 synthetic for $1049. Noe trying to go for it or try & get a 21". Really appreciate all the help/advice. I agree that it's best to get the right gear at the onset. Semper Fi

[Broylz]

i had pretty much the same question. i currently have a 870HD. but was thinking of upgrading to the 1100Tac4. would the 870 be ok or do semi-autos seem to rule without question?

[Flexmoney]

Many can almost keep up with a pump gun. If you stroke it right, it ought to be reliable. Reliable is very important.

The biggest time eater in shotgun is loading.


I'd suggest taking what you have and going to shoot. If there is a match in your area...get to it.

[Broylz]

you left yourself wide open on the stroking statement but i'll leave it alone.

i am glad to hear that the pump will do okay. saves more money towards the rifle. i am also looking at doing these shoots just to improve my skill. i dont plan on winning them all.

[MCFooter]

I don't know anything about this seller but here is a 21" M2.

I'm not crazy about Camo but....


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=82612373

[another okie]

The Benellis seem the most reliable at the matches. I have a Remington Competition Master with an EZ loader installed. It's only reliable with 1 1/8 loads.

One advantage of staying with the pump for now is that you can use very light target loads, which kind of balances out the recoil dampening of gas operated semi autos.

[shootingbuff]

Originally posted by BroylzG34
i had pretty much the same question. i currently have a 870HD. but was thinking of upgrading to the 1100Tac4. would the 870 be ok or do semi-autos seem to rule without question?

At our last months Pistol and SG match 1st and 2nd used pumps. There was 2 out of 5 stages that the pistol was used. One was all pistol the other 5 rounds if you didn't miss. RC for the SG was up to 18 if mem serves for a stage and a low as 9.

There were M1s high teck 11-87s, Stogers, VC 870s etc and 1st and second used a stock Nova.

Reloading, knowing your SG and the loads make up for what ever a semis advantage is over a pump. Add in recoil management and your on your way.

sb