Competition Shotguns

[NJGF 375]

Given the NJ magazine limit of 6+1 in semi-automatic shotguns do many people use pumps in competitions so they can have a higher magazine limit?

[Vlad G 345]

Nope, semis are faster all around. Learning to reload fast pays off, semiauto function beats the couple of extra rounds

[henrym 19]

Check out the FN slp. Really nice, popular 3 gun gun, and its 6+1.

[Krdshrk 3,877]

I have a Mossberg 930 JM Pro for 3gun.  6+1 capacity.  Reloads are fast on it... it's made for 3gun.

[Smokin .50 1,907]

I have a Mossberg 930 JM Pro for 3gun.  6+1 capacity.  Reloads are fast on it... it's made for 3gun.

 

I remember using that shotty after an IDPA Match.  Seemed like a good pointer and fit me well too, as I recall!  Reliable in form and function.  Passes the "Rosey" test!

[FLHX 1]

for a less expensive alternative look at the Stoeger m3000. I have a 930 and it runs pretty good, but they are pretty hit and miss. The Stoegers have been getting great reviews from a bunch of 3 gun nation shooters.

[ronhonda 86]

Benelli for the win.

Stoegers have been getting some good write ups on Brian Enos.

[NJGF 375]

I have a Mossberg 930 JM Pro for 3gun.  6+1 capacity.  Reloads are fast on it... it's made for 3gun.

 

I thought that this shotgun had an 8+1 capacity so it was not legal in NJ?

[HBecwithFn7 296]

I thought that this shotgun had an 8+1 capacity so it was not legal in NJ?

 

One can have the original mag tube replaced with a smaller one.  The basic 930 (with no tube, just a cap) can  handle 4+1. When I purchased my 930 I bought a Nordic +2 Extension kit to make it 6+1.  Likewise, you can by a Nordic +2 Kit, remove the original JM Pro tube, and put on the +2 extension to reduce it to 6+1.

[NJGF 375]

One can have the original mag tube replaced with a smaller one.  The basic 930 (with no tube, just a cap) can  handle 4+1. When I purchased my 930 I bought a Nordic +2 Extension kit to make it 6+1.  Likewise, you can by a Nordic +2 Kit, remove the original JM Pro tube, and put on the +2 extension to reduce it to 6+1.

 

So the factory JM Pro has 4 shell magazine plus a +4 extension and I can replace the extension with a +2. Can I do this legally myself or do I need an FFL to do this?

[NJGF 375]

Benelli for the win.

Stoegers have been getting some good write ups on Brian Enos.

 

Which model Benelli?

[HBecwithFn7 296]

So the factory JM Pro has 4 shell magazine plus a +4 extension and I can replace the extension with a +2. Can I do this legally myself or do I need an FFL to do this?

 

Depends on the FFL, I'd guess. If they "trust" you, they might let you do that work. But I'm thinking that they'd want to do the work themselves to ensure it leaves their custody as "NJ Legal."  What happens to the original tube.....   

[ronhonda 86]

Which model Benelli?

M2 field

it shoots as fast as I can pull the trigger.

[Krdshrk 3,877]

So the factory JM Pro has 4 shell magazine plus a +4 extension and I can replace the extension with a +2. Can I do this legally myself or do I need an FFL to do this?

I brought my +2 extension to my FFL and changed it.

 

 

Depends on the FFL, I'd guess. If they "trust" you, they might let you do that work. But I'm thinking that they'd want to do the work themselves to ensure it leaves their custody as "NJ Legal."  What happens to the original tube.....   

I don't know - it's just a small metal tube.... Guess it got lost in a boating accident....

[Parker 213]

This is a good article for those choosing their first competition shotgun. There are some brands cited in the article that will surprise some when it comes to reliability and "speed."

 

http://www.multigunmedia.com/speed-shotguning.pdf

[Respect2A 0]

I will say that in the limited 3 gun matches I've shot I've seen 2 930's shit the bed in my squad. One might as well been a single shot. The other stopped working at all. The ensuing conversations ensured I will never buy a 930 for a competitive shotgun.

[Vlad G 345]

This is a good article for those choosing their first competition shotgun. There are some brands cited in the article that will surprise some when it comes to reliability and "speed."

 

http://www.multigunmedia.com/speed-shotguning.pdf

 

Pat knows his stuff, and shares it freely with people on the BE forum, but that article is 13 years old. We have new shotguns every year, some good some bad.

[2Alpha 6]

The Beretta 1301 is, in my opinion, the best 3 gun shotgun out of the box. Soft, fast and easy to load

[Krdshrk 3,877]

I will say that in the limited 3 gun matches I've shot I've seen 2 930's shit the bed in my squad. One might as well been a single shot. The other stopped working at all. The ensuing conversations ensured I will never buy a 930 for a competitive shotgun.

 

Weird - Not sure why - mine's been a workhorse.  However, you do need to keep it clean... 

[Vlad G 345]

The Beretta 1301 is, in my opinion, the best 3 gun shotgun out of the box. Soft, fast and easy to load

I think we've reached the point where there are 3-4 guns which are all excellent but different enough that anyone can find what fits them best. Problem us they are all pricey.

[Parker 213]

Pat knows his stuff, and shares it freely with people on the BE forum, but that article is 13 years old. We have new shotguns every year, some good some bad.

 

"New shotguns every year?" You have four basic types of autoloading shotguns: long-recoil, short-recoil, gas and inertia. The Benelli is one of the newer designs out there, and that's already forty-seven years old. Some of the newer Turkish guns share the same system as the Benelli. The Beretta's have shared a common gas system that keeps changing for the better since the 60's. Long-recoil shotguns date back more than a century, while short-recoil autoloading shotguns date back to the 50's. All the modern gas autos share a similar design, just newer, lighter (and cheaper) components and different methods to bleed off gas are seen today. All are being designed for that encompassing quest to shoot 2 3/4" shells up to 3.5" shells without swapping or switching springs, rings or making any other adjustments. That's a mighty task to ask and accomplish it well.

 

They may be new in name, or new in looks; but there is not much new about their designs.

[Krdshrk 3,877]

It's not just about the types of actions with the autoloaders - there are other very different designs or features on the shotguns itself.

 

I have 2 semi autos - a Remington 11-87 and a Mossberg 930 JM Pro.  Both are gas operated, but the gas piston and action is much longer on the 11-87.  It's a smoother shooter, but much slower to cycle than the 930.  Another major difference is how shells are loaded in.  The 11-87 you have to hold down the bolt release button (which is underneath by the loading gate) in order to load shells into the tube - it's slower and cumbersome - you need to turn the gun upside down or use 2 hands to load.  Meanwhile the 930 you can just feed shells in.

[Vlad G 345]

Parker, thats like saying there are no new semi-auto handguns since the 1911. There are many subtle features differences from model to model and generally speaking shotguns are not designed with 3gun in mind, that is almost always something that happens in the aftermarket when some dude says "hmm what can I do to make this work", or as a factory afterthought like the 930JM.

[Parker 213]

Parker, thats like saying there are no new semi-auto handguns since the 1911. There are many subtle features differences from model to model and generally speaking shotguns are not designed with 3gun in mind, that is almost always something that happens in the aftermarket when some dude says "hmm what can I do to make this work", or as a factory afterthought like the 930JM.

 Agreed.

 

But is there really anything better than an old A-5? (Just don't take one completely apart, that's all.)

[Vlad G 345]

Lots of people think so, including the new A5 for that matter. The 1301, the M2, Vinci's, VersaMax, SLP, SX2s, Stoeger M3000, 930, heck even my well functioning 11-87, they are all probably better then an old A5 for 3gunning.

[FLHX 1]

Weird - Not sure why - mine's been a workhorse.  However, you do need to keep it clean... 

Mine too but we are in the minority. If I could afford a Benelli I would have one. So far my 930 has been 99% reliable. I have done the basic mods new lifter and opened up the loading port, but that doesn't matter if you don't keep the piston clean!!

[2Alpha 6]

My 930 has been 100%. Its not the easiest gun to load, but it is a good gun to get started in 3 gun with.

[Parker 213]

Lots of people think so, including the new A5 for that matter. The 1301, the M2, Vinci's, VersaMax, SLP, SX2s, Stoeger M3000, 930, heck even my well functioning 11-87, they are all probably better then an old A5 for 3gunning.

There is nothing wrong with an 11-87. They are good guns, just a bit nose-heavy.

 

No, the A-5 was never envisioned by John Browning to be a 3-gun competitor. Then again, its speed-loading feature is something pretty unique and was ahead of its time. I see they've carried that over to the new A-5.

[Vlad G 345]

The 11-87 is heavy, picky about being clean, and much harder to reload then other guns. I'd be ok with all the other issues but the reloading speed, it really isn't suited to modern load 2 or load 4 techniques, I can load 2 most of the time, 4 is nearly impossible. It is soft shooting though.

[Brian B 2]

Not that I have much experience with shotguns but I think the stoeger m3000 is probably the best entry level 3 gun overall. Just throw on a +2 extension and open the loading port yourself and you have a competitive shotgun for under $600.

 

High end would be a Benelli M2. If I ever get another one I would consider a 1301 or versamax.