Let me start off by saying, this is one FANTASTIC shotgun!
I decided to go to a local trap range (a state run park forest reserve) that is about 20 mins from my house. It was pretty cold out there (about 25 degrees) but I still had a great time. Even though we are only supposed to shoot clay targets out there, I fired off some buckshot since no one was really out there anyways. I did bring out my thrower and my Condor O/U to do a bit of clay shooting as well.
In my ammo bag I had the following:
60 rounds of Remington Express 00 buckshot
10 rounds of Remington #4 buckshot
10 rounds of Remington #1 buckshot
20 rounds of both Remington and Federal "Low Recoil" 00 buckshot
100 rounds of cheap Walmart bulk pack 7 1/2 target loads
And about 200 rounds of my own light loaded reloads
I started off shooting the O/U with the reloads. About 50 rounds or so. Then I got anxious and broke out the SPX. I found some cardboard boxes near the trash cans there and set them out to about 10 yards. First I fired off the Remington 00 buckshot. ALL 60 rounds went off without a hitch. NICE! Next came the #4 and #1 buckshot. Again, flawless. Oh yeah, I'm quite happy now! Ok, so now the "low recoil" loads. 20 more flawless rounds go off. Music to my ears!
Now it was time to test out the Walmart target loads. I got the thrower loaded up and fired away. The SPX ate ALL 100 rounds. However, I could actually feel the action slowing down near the end of those 100 rounds. Just like a member from shotgunworld.com forums (m24shooter) said it would. So, as advised by m24shooter, a little oil in the ejection port and everything ran smooth again. Thank you sir.
Now onto my light loaded reloads. Remington hulls, 3/4oz of #7.5 shot and 15 grains of Red Dot. Yes, very light. I got through about 70 rounds and just before I set the SPX down to put a bit more oil in the port (felt it slowing down again) she finally had a FTE. Cleared it, a squirt of oil and then finished off the last 30 rounds.
So...........only 1 FTE out of 350 rounds of mixed ammo? And the FTE being on a light reload in very cold temps? (I read colder temps can cause issues with auto-loaders) Oh yeah, did I mention this is a FANTASTIC gun? I think it is safe to say this SPX is cleared as an HD firearm now. The recoil was pretty low as well due to the gas recoil operating system. And the Limb Saver recoil pad came into play as well. 350 rounds and no sign of being sore what so ever.
If you're on the fence about getting a semi-auto shotgun, this is one shotgun to take a serious look at!
Thanks for reading.
BTW, made a recent "mod" to the SPX. I installed a Weaver rail on the forearm for a tac-light. So far, so good. Plenty of rounds thru it without an issue.
Couple pics:
Linear Mode
