Dropped it off after an event, told the gunsmith it keeps snapping bolt forks. The gunsmith asked if I was in a shoot-off that night. I said no I'm out of this one, lol. I said I'm squadded for tomorrows event early. He says stop by on your way to the line and it will be ready to pick up. I stopped next morning, handed him my repair ticket, he goes and pulls it off the rack and comes to the counter. He tells me everything they changed. New plunger, new rebound spring, new bolt fork, new firing pin, new o-ring, new mag spring, new bolt handle and asks do you hunt with this gun? I said no? He says the shell stop for the mag is broken. I can replace it if you want or remove it. It may or may not still cycle for doubles but it definitely won't hold a third round if I remove it. I said remove it, I don't shoot doubles much anyways. He walks over to a bench, pops out the trigger assembly, pulls the broken catch out, puts a new one on it, comes back hands me the gun and the repair invoice and says no charge for the shell stopper....the bill was a whole $29 and I never missed any shooting! Those vendors and manufacturers set up there offered incredible services! Everything you can possibly imagine. To be at a shoot and watch them ply their craft right there is something. Stock makers taking measurements and turning out stocks, engravers chiseling and doing gold inlays, repairs and customizing of every description. It's something every shotgunner should experience at least once.
Pumps are fine for singles and handicap but they slow you down a bit for doubles. I am well aware that the old-timers shot Model 12's and 31's and sxs for that matter. I've seen the pictures on the walls of many clubhouses. I have a Remington Model 10 trap, a bunch of 31's and a number of 870's. Most of which I shoot for fun every once in a while. I just don't think pumps are competitive in this day and age. Nothing wrong with the SXP, the ones I shot worked fine.
