3 Gun Shotgun

Best Capacity? Get a pump (Unlimited)
Semi is fixed for 5.

Flip side. If your going to shoot in the CDTSA Matches the round count was fixed last year taking away the "Edge" of shottys like the KSG.
So you need to know if the matches will allow more then 5 loaded.
 
M2 or VMT - can't go wrong with either in my opinion

Love the M4, but
- prefer vent rib for clays and quicker target acquisition than the ghost rings
- prefer a standard stock vs the pistol
- M4 is a bit heavier than the M2 & VMT, if weight is an issue
 
Has to be a Benelli M2 with all the toys and trimmings.

Although the Versamax is a carbon copy of the M2 (a bit of a shameless one at that)

But pull the bolt back on each one and you will immediately notice the difference. The VM is gritty and crunchy, forward heavy, and just felt abit off. I did notice some metal shavings in the receiver...

The Benelli by comparison is smooth, feels more like an extension of me and points very well. None of the above issues.

The biggest difference I find between Pump and Semi is pump is:

Semi:

quicker to target, less recoil but limited capacity

Pump:

Unlimited cap (YMMV) cycled by you but cycled by you, kicks abit harder, sometimes heavier (with a large mag tube)

If money no object, Benelli M2, price limits, Remmy VM.
 
bollox said:
Benelli M4 or M2.
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I used an M4 for a few seasons... Mostly US matches.
Although reliable it falls short in a few areas for "3-Gun" competition...

1. Ghost ring sights are slow.
2. It's somewhat heavy.
3. The pistol grip gets in the way and slows reloading. There is a sporting stock available, but I had a really hard time sourcing one.
4. It's too short.
Yeah Yeah yeah... Lots of guys love their short shotguns, but... This is "3-Gun" not door breaching or trench sweeping.
With that short barrel comes a shorter sight radius. A longer barrel/sight radius is better


'Might seem like a case of "drinking the Kool-Aid, but look at what just about everyone who shoots 3-gun regularly is using. 'Look at what many/most of the money makers in 3-Gun are shooting...
The most popular gun by far is the M2...

Ditched my M4 for a M2 and never looked back.
 
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Cyanide Ride said:
Although the Versamax is a carbon copy of the M2 (a bit of a shameless one at that)
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Actually, the Versamax's operating system more akin to a direct ripoff of the Benelli m4's gas system, whereas the M2 is inertia operated.

I've had Benelli M4's & Benelli M2s; I'm currently running a Versamax Frankengun that's based pretty much a sportsman/tactical hybrid - I LOVE it.

Cheers,

Brobee
 
667 said:
\
3. The pistol grip gets in the way and slows reloading. There is a sporting stock available, but I had a really hard time sourcing one.
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Agreed - I'm ditching my pistol grip.. Brownells now stocks the 'standard/field stock' for the M4 for $210. Mine is en-route as we speak. :)
 
Another thing to consider is reliability of the platform.
Gas operated guns need a bit more attention to ensure they run flawlessly during a match.

As for capacity, a 3.5" gun will allow you to load more 2 3/4 shells at the start, but they also often have a stronger recoil spring and may give issues with light target loads.

If the budget allows, Benelli M2 is a great option, and the most popular platform anywhere for a reason.
A more budget oriented choice might be the Stoeger m3000.
That is as close to an M2 clone as you are going to get.
Inertia operated system.

But, what makes or breaks a shotgun stage is your ability to reload. Regardless of what gun you are using, if you can't load fast on the clock, you're losing a lot of time to someone who can.
 
Brobee said:
Actually, the Versamax's operating system more akin to a direct ripoff of the Benelli m4's gas system, whereas the M2 is inertia operated.

I've had Benelli M4's & Benelli M2s; I'm currently running a Versamax Frankengun that's based pretty much a sportsman/tactical hybrid - I LOVE it.

Cheers,

Brobee
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That's it. My mistake :)

canucklehead said:
Agreed - I'm ditching my pistol grip.. Brownells now stocks the 'standard/field stock' for the M4 for $210. Mine is en-route as we speak. :)
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I actually prefer the non-pistol grip stocks.

Glad to know I am not the only one!.

I'll post pics of my beastie later, I am waiting on my mag extension, but I got some more parts in (bolt release and safety)
 
Brobee said:
Actually, the Versamax's operating system more akin to a direct ripoff of the Benelli m4's gas system, whereas the M2 is inertia operated.

I've had Benelli M4's & Benelli M2s; I'm currently running a Versamax Frankengun that's based pretty much a sportsman/tactical hybrid - I LOVE it.

Cheers,

Brobee
Click to expand...

This^

I just bought a VM sportsman, and i have not noticed a gritty or crunchy action, as far as smoothness when racking the bolt, I think it feels as smooth as my M4 did, nor did I have any metal shavings. Is it a Benelli? No, but I feel it's a hell of a shotgun for the price. Plus 3.5" chamber means you can squeeze in an extra round.
 
I have a versamax tactical. Love the 22" barrel. 6+ 1 on the ramp and 1 in the chamber. Never run an M2 but it is smooth enough for me. Got a welded lifter from Casey at Tac Ord but apparently any welded lifter for the M2 works as well. Cut the tube spring down and she loads nice an smooth and it cost me 60% of what an M2 would. Don't really know if an M2 would perform nearly twice as well or improve my times by 40%. Thought about a sportsman but wasn't sure if the 3.5 chamber designation would allow me to fit 7 - 2 3/4 shells or not and a 26-28 barrel just seemed to long with no real advantage.
 
Schecter 81 said:
I have a versamax tactical. Love the 22" barrel. 6+ 1 on the ramp and 1 in the chamber. Never run an M2 but it is smooth enough for me. Got a welded lifter from Casey at Tac Ord but apparently any welded lifter for the M2 works as well. Cut the tube spring down and she loads nice an smooth and it cost me 60% of what an M2 would. Don't really know if an M2 would perform nearly twice as well or improve my times by 40%. Thought about a sportsman but wasn't sure if the 3.5 chamber designation would allow me to fit 7 - 2 3/4 shells or not and a 26-28 barrel just seemed to long with no real advantage.
Click to expand...

I'll show you how much faster an M2 is this spring :) You don't have to be 40% faster. 0.1% is enough to win.
 
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