Cheap but good autoloading tactical 12 gauge?

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pavmentsurfer

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Im a big fan of my 870... its reliable and performs perfectly. But im itching to try an autoloader. I do believe in spending good money on good equipment but theres simply NO WAY I can afford a Benelli so its completely out of the question.

Im looking at a Optima Escort MPA or the Mossberg 930 tactical. Im open to other ideas but I actually want to buy whatever gun I choose so if your going to suggest it, it would be best if you actually know WHERE its in stock. I want to stick to an 18-20 inch barrel and id PREFER ghost ring sights (which is my big hesitation with the Mossberg at the moment).

So, if YOU had $5-600... what would YOU buy. And seriously, if your going to suggest a gun that costs more than $600, just dont post. I dont have it, I dont want to spend more, I wont be taking the suggestions so it will fall of deaf ears. But if you have some advice or suggestions that falls within this price category... im ALL ears.

My current concerns with these 2 guns in particular are as follows:

I dont know what type of reputation the Optima has. I see many people saying good things about them but more often than not, these people have experience only with ONE gun... not helpful. Are they any good? Reliable?

The Mossberg doesnt have ghost ring sights. I dont want to use a red dot and I can live with a bead sight but I really like ghost rings. Is the mossberg good? Is it better than the Optima?
 
I had the MPA. Nice gun but I was drawn back to my love for 870 pumps so I sold it. I wasn't a fan of the sights either. I love bead sights but hey that's just my $0.02 over all I would rate the MPA a solid gun and was reliable while I had it.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
Im a big fan of my 870... its reliable and performs perfectly. But im itching to try an autoloader. I do believe in spending good money on good equipment but theres simply NO WAY I can afford a Benelli so its completely out of the question.

Im looking at a Optima Escort MPA or the Mossberg 930 tactical. Im open to other ideas but I actually want to buy whatever gun I choose so if your going to suggest it, it would be best if you actually know WHERE its in stock. I want to stick to an 18-20 inch barrel and id PREFER ghost ring sights (which is my big hesitation with the Mossberg at the moment).

So, if YOU had $5-600... what would YOU buy. And seriously, if your going to suggest a gun that costs more than $600, just dont post. I dont have it, I dont want to spend more, I wont be taking the suggestions so it will fall of deaf ears. But if you have some advice or suggestions that falls within this price category... im ALL ears.

My current concerns with these 2 guns in particular are as follows:

I dont know what type of reputation the Optima has. I see many people saying good things about them but more often than not, these people have experience only with ONE gun... not helpful. Are they any good? Reliable?

The Mossberg doesnt have ghost ring sights. I dont want to use a red dot and I can live with a bead sight but I really like ghost rings. Is the mossberg good? Is it better than the Optima?
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I've got a Weatherby SA-08 TR. Its my first Semi shotgun, so its been a learning curve. It only likes the more expensive ammo with the longer brass at the base, federal seems to work the best so far, but other than that I'm fairly happy with it. Comes with ghost ring sight, fibre op front sight with a top rail for optics.
 
What would you like to know about either shotgun ?

I own both !



For shooting low brass and cheep target loads both guns cycle them just fine - My reloads are rated at 1100fps.

Ive over 8000 rnds on the MP-A alone.

Both shotguns have different things that I like and dislike.

ie: The 930 has no tube lockout feature that the MP-A and the Benelli has. The MP-A cant be ghostloaded etc etc...
 
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I have found a deal on an MPA I just cant refuse so im going to go that route. Almost half of new for one that is essentially new. For my first test run of a semi I cant really pass it up. If I like running a semi, ill look at upgrading. But for my first go, it seems like the cheaper semis are all FAIRLY equal.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
I have found a deal on an MPA I just cant refuse so im going to go that route. Almost half of new for one that is essentially new. For my first test run of a semi I cant really pass it up. If I like running a semi, ill look at upgrading. But for my first go, it seems like the cheaper semis are all FAIRLY equal.
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If u are in need for a + one mag tube we have some made just for the mpa. In stock.
Bbb
 
I just got a mpa love it but havent shot it yet, i also have a fabarm sat 8. if you want to step it up but not into Benelli territory once you have tried the mpa id say buy a fabarm. Wanstalls has them in stock. I have ghost loaded the mpa it was hard but i did it only one time.
 
5 in the tube and 1 in the chamber , 5 of the biggest shell the gun was designed for in this case 3 inch, so if you put a plus two but plug it for 5 3 inch shells your having more fun when using 2 3/4's
 
I just picked up a MPA TS , with the collapsable stock, last week. I've only put about 50 shells through it so far but it cycles well and is tons of fun to shoot. Personally I really like the sights on it and the rubber coated pistol grip is great.
 
dieseldawg said:
I don't see the point of putting a +anything mag tube when there limited to 5 by law!
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The MPA's for some reason don't fit five 2 3/4" shells from the factory....and as ModernWarrior explained with a plus 2 adjusted to allow just less then six of the 3 inch shells the gun is designed for you can then easily fit five 2 3/4" shells and even an extra if you so wish.
 
Can-down said:
The MPA's for some reason don't fit five 2 3/4" shells from the factory....and as ModernWarrior explained with a plus 2 adjusted to allow just less then six of the 3 inch shells the gun is designed for you can then easily fit five 2 3/4" shells and even an extra if you so wish.
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My mpa-ts fits 5 no problem after removing the game plug!
You have removed the plug right?
 
More like no I had not read your post...:)
So yours was plugged to 2? Mine would almost accept a 5th but not quite.....
I didn't see any plug in mine, just a spring retainer, spring, follower and a mag tube cap. It's a moot point now because I put a plus 2 on it.
 
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