3 Gun shotgun recommendations?

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LowLead

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Good afternoon CGN!

I am starting to look for a decent shotgun for 3 gun / tactical / bush use. The main goal though is for 3 gun.. Is there any advantage to having a semi auto? Considering our magazine capacity laws, would it be better to get a pump gun with more than 5 shot capacity? So far, I'm daydreaming about the Versa Max Tactical, Mossberg 930 JM for semi auto, and the Remington 870 Tactical, mossberg 590A1 and the Winchester Xtreme defender for pump action.

The tough choices in life.. but I really like the VersaMax. Of course I like the priciest option of the bunch.
 
If you are jonesing for the Versamax consider getting Tacord to build you one based upon the Sportsman. I have the Tactical myself but my competition buddy has the Tacord built one and it is fine. Casey did work on both of ours. I like my loading slightly better.

I got a lemon JM Pro from the U.S. and it took some work getting it working ok. I know others have had no problem with their JM Pros.

Whichever gun you get you'll need to spend some time and money tuning it. There are some natural evolutions that will aid your shooting. Shotgun is all about loading speed so anything that aids it - like a beveled loading port, welded lifter - are wonderful to have (your hands will thank you for it). Also adding a Match Saver is a nice cheap addition.
 
^^^^^^ This.
Better to decide what you want do do with it first as a true 3G shotgun is better suited to just that. Trying to double duty it as a (bush use) gun, there are more user friendly ones out there by going to a pump action. Myself personally, I prefer a pump as a beater and stick with a Tacord built Versamax Sportsman for IPSC shotgun and 3G.
 
At the end of the day, it's your money and you should get what you want (sounds like the Versamax). Worst thing is to spend 75% of what you want and not be happy with it.

For most of us, a semi-auto is way faster and easier to load. Unless you are in a pump only division where you are scored separately. The disadvantage in mag capacity is not as great as you would think (semi-auto w mag extension can fit 7+1 rounds of 2.75" for 3.5" receiver (= 5 rounds of 3.5") vs 8+1 rounds in my 590a1).

I have the Mossberg 590a1 pump and a Stoeger M3500 (before the 3K version came out). The Mossberg is a great tactical shotgun, indestructable, built like a tank, good mag capacity, can mount a bayonet if you wish! but not the most competitive 3-gun shotgun - heavy, loading port is small, more difficult (but not impossible to twin load), not set up for chokes. Probably the ideal choice for the zombie apocalypse but not necessarily 3 gun.

There are a lot of decent semi-auto options available now. The Stoeger was inexpensive, reliable with 3 dram shotshells and was not going to cost me $2k if I messed up bevelling out my own loading port. Twin loads are very easy and you can become proficient with about 20 minutes practice and decent shotshell caddies. Not necessarily better than a Versamax, just cost me less if I screw up my loading port and this model does not really require a welded lifter, just loading port bevel and mag extension. The Stoeger M3k 3-gun version is now an option as well. You could go Benelli M2 if you want to spend even more than the Versamax.

You can always get a cheap 870 or Mossberg for the bush. Compared to pistols and semiauto rifles, pump shotguns are pretty inexpensive. Not the worst thing in the world to own a pump as well.
 
I picked up a Stoeger M3000 as my 3 gun shotgun. $660 from Canadian Tire.
Added an S&J hardware mag tube extension and hogged out the loading port myself. So far I am very happy with it. I am going to have Tac Ord cut the barrel to 21 inches and re-threaded for chokes. Check out the Stoeger for a cost effective option.
 
^ what they all said. My Versamax should be on its way home from Osprey Ordinance soon, very nice fellow and they make a very cool bolt release.
Shotguns are always empty - think it was Jerry Miculek who said that so whatever you do, pump or semi, keep that in mind.
 
The gun it's self is 3yrs old and has 1500+ rounds throught it. The gun has never given me any trouble. At a local match last fall three of us used the gun with only one fall to feed
 
docscoutjr said:
^ what they all said. My Versamax should be on its way home from Osprey Ordinance soon, very nice fellow and they make a very cool bolt release.
Shotguns are always empty - think it was Jerry Miculek who said that so whatever you do, pump or semi, keep that in mind.
Click to expand...

Nathan did some work on mine as well. Worth every penny.
 
I'd vote on a Supernova, best bang for your buck. I went the 590A1 route but it's more money than the Supernova to bring up to the same level. I'm not a fan of semi's after having 930s, Benelli's, etc.
 
The mag in the video is from a pump gun it's a ten rounder it required no alterations to the gun or mag. I borrowed the mag from my local gun shop to see if it worked be for I ordered a few. The video was the third mag dump in a row with no issues. As for the gun it has a few minor mods. First is the plastic stock was cut of and a adapter installed for an AR adjustable stock. Second was the new side charging fore end. I have a flared mag well adapter and a mid barrel comp on order to finish it off.
 
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