3 Gun Shotgun Advice

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Kanwar88

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Hey CGN,

Im looking to get into 3 Gun and currently have a DDM4V5 and a CZ SP-01 , and need a shotgun to complete the set. Ive scoured the Internet for shotgun choices but it's mostly info from the US and many of the firearms aren't available in the particular configurations that are recommended like the mossberg 930 JM Pro or so on.

I plan on shooting in multi gun competitions in Canada only. Places where I currently do tac rifle competitions are just starting to do multi gun and there aren't any strict restrictions on shotgun type etc. and is fairly open. Additionally, my budget is about $1500 for the shotgun alone, I could do more or less, but considering I'm new to shotguns I would be happy with an entry level gun and spend the money on ammo. Please give me your advice, thank you.

I originally posted on hunting/sporting shotgun forum by accident.
 
Im hesitant to go with a brand i don't know anything about. I originally was thinking along the lines of Remington, Mossberg, Or Benelli.
Does anyone have any experience with this shotgun ?
 
I think the biggest decision is semi vs pump. I don't shoot 3 gun but I have "3 gun" inspired 870, that I'm in the process of putting together. With a 26" barrel I run a +5 extension giving a total of 9 in the tube, 1 in the chamber and 1 ghost loaded.
 
The fabarms seems like a great gun, I'm surprised I haven't heard about it yet.

In terms of semi vs. pump, in a 3 gun round , would having the 10+1 rounds (pump) be faster than 5+1 rounds (semi)?
 
We have this Magpul Edition one in stock. All ready to go.


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My pick would be Benelli. M2/Super black eagle/ vinci
I've used an M2 for a couple years now both here and at multiple large 3 gun matches in the US.
Inertia system doesn't require gas piston cleaning (doesn't have a gas system!)
If you prefer a pump, can't go wrong with a Nova/Supernova. Huge loading port and the shell lifter stays out of the way once you start loading.

Nothing will be perfect out of the box (I know as I have tried most of them)
You will modify to your preference.

If you are in Toronto, there is an IPSC shotgun match on the 24th at Wentworth towards Hamilton.
You will see a varying selection of semi's and pumps with all kinds of modifications to them.
You'll see and learn everything you need to know about guns and reloading methods, just watch and ask questions.
First sqaud starts at 10.
 
All the people winning 3 gun matches use a Benelli in one form or another (with the exception of Jerry Miculek who has his own line of Mossy 930). Can't argue with that level of reliability (comes at a price however)

The semi vs. pump debate goes on especially with the laws we have in Canada regarding magazine restrictions.

Semis are faster back on target, less felt recoil, and fast to unload

Pumps have larger capacity, kick abit harder, and the reliability is on you.

Take Pauls advice, get out, mingle and ask. As a general rule, most 3-Gunners are pretty nice folk.
 
Great advice to get out and look and see what people have going. Mine is a Mossberg 590, 20" barrel with ghost ring sights. I'm not shooting 3 gun right now, but we could hold our own against most competition in shotgun matches. Having said that, I'm also looking for a semi, for a little faster action. I would go Mossberg 930 if I could get one like the JM (Jerry Miculek), Pro edition, half the price of a Benelli. If I can't go that route... probably save up for the Benelli. I saw a lot of FN FNH semi's with 22" barrels and extended tubes a few years ago when I went to the states, not sure if they are still one of the more popular shotty's, or if you can get them here.
 
Kanwar88 said:
my budget is about $1500 for the shotgun alone...
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Remember to budget for shell holders and the like. The Droppin Deuces kit is pricey, but probably worth it.

Do you have any shotgun experience? If you want/need a soft shooter on that budget, go with a Versamax.

If you want to see the most improvement in your skills, get a $350 870 and $1150 worth of practice ammo.

Generally speaking, shotgun performance in 3gunning is way more about reloading speed and accuracy (a miss means an extra reload) than it is about quick follow ups.
 
peacefrog said:
I would go Mossberg 930 if I could get one like the JM (Jerry Miculek), Pro edition, half the price of a Benelli. If I can't go that route... probably save up for the Benelli. I saw a lot of FN FNH semi's with 22" barrels and extended tubes a few years ago when I went to the states, not sure if they are still one of the more popular shotty's, or if you can get them here.
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I think the most popular in the US, what I've gathered from online, is the Benelli M2, FNH, 930 JM Pro, and the Versamax.
I feel like the question for me is, should I buy once and cry once and go with a Benelli M2 or Fabarms, or go low end because I'm a beginner to shotguns and spend the extra cash on more ammo and buy a better gun later. I typically like to own the best and never look back, I hate having to sell something , taking a loss and buying better.

There are so many options, I'm starting to get overwhelmed. Are there some things I should just flat out stay away from? Brand, model, barrel length, etc?
 
Kanwar88 said:
I think the most popular in the US, what I've gathered from online, is the Benelli M2, FNH, 930 JM Pro, and the Versamax.
I feel like the question for me is, should I buy once and cry once and go with a Benelli M2 or Fabarms, or go low end because I'm a beginner to shotguns and spend the extra cash on more ammo and buy a better gun later. I typically like to own the best and never look back, I hate having to sell something , taking a loss and buying better.

There are so many options, I'm starting to get overwhelmed. Are there some things I should just flat out stay away from? Brand, model, barrel length, etc?
Click to expand...

When I first starting shooting 3 gun, I was told to buy a benelli. I ignored it and bought an unchoked 590. After realizing that didn't work, I had the barrel threaded and spent more on chokes than I'd like to admit. Then, after shooting more in the US, I figured a semi was in order with a mag extension. So, I bought the semi, and the extension, but with my cheapness still prevailing I went with the 930. The 930 seems too long, so I cut the barrel and threaded it again.

The 930 worked great, but then loading starting to become a real focus for me. After playing with a friends M2, I can honestly say it is one of the smoothest loading guns out there. Plus, I'm always paranoid that a big shotgun match on a hot day, that the gas system will let me down on the 930.

So, then I bought the M2, got the chokes, had work done on the loading port, got the welded lifter and I'm very happy with it so far. Honestly, I don't know why it took me so long to buy it. And then I think back, I should of just listened to the first advice I got, I would of saved a lot of money.

Point being, if 3 gun is something you can see yourself doing for a while, don't be afraid to buy the decent guns upfront. There is a lot to be said for practice, but having the right equipment plays its part too.
 
Kanwar88 said:
...because I'm a beginner to shotguns and spend the extra cash on more ammo and buy a better gun later. I typically like to own the best and never look back, I hate having to sell something , taking a loss and buying better.

There are so many options, I'm starting to get overwhelmed. Are there some things I should just flat out stay away from? Brand, model, barrel length, etc?
Click to expand...

More practice ammo will definitely be a better investment at this point. BUT if you can afford BOTH lots of practice ammo AND the semi auto shotgun now, then do it.

You wouldn't lose much cash on reselling a basic 870 "Tactical" if you decide it's not the gun for you. Maybe you'd lose $50, right? And it's the cheapest way to find out if you're really interested in the sport AND if you really won't be satisfied with the pump. However, if you get a more expensive semi and then decide the sport is not for you, then you're talking a more serious loss upon resale.

I've been more than happy using a cylinder bore basic 870 (with some "free" DIY mods), and I know for a fact that my money is better spend on practice ammo than anything else. If someone gave me a Versamax or m2/m4, I would sell it and buy practice ammo. But I grew up shooting an 870, and they are VERY comfortable for me.

Hang out at the range with some 12ga ammo and ask to borrow. You'll have a better idea of what features matter to you.
 
In response to alpining, if been trap shooting once and enjoyed and did alright 17/25 on second try.

As for everyone else who chimed in, thank you, I think it makes sense for me to buy a cheap pump like an 870 buy good gear and ammo and practice. And I can upgrade to a Benelli m2 if I'm actually serious about 3 gun.
 
Onagoth said:
When I first starting shooting 3 gun, I was told to buy a benelli. I ignored it and bought an unchoked 590. After realizing that didn't work, I had the barrel threaded and spent more on chokes than I'd like to admit. Then, after shooting more in the US, I figured a semi was in order with a mag extension. So, I bought the semi, and the extension, but with my cheapness still prevailing I went with the 930. The 930 seems too long, so I cut the barrel and threaded it again.

The 930 worked great, but then loading starting to become a real focus for me. After playing with a friends M2, I can honestly say it is one of the smoothest loading guns out there. Plus, I'm always paranoid that a big shotgun match on a hot day, that the gas system will let me down on the 930.

So, then I bought the M2, got the chokes, had work done on the loading port, got the welded lifter and I'm very happy with it so far. Honestly, I don't know why it took me so long to buy it. And then I think back, I should of just listened to the first advice I got, I would of saved a lot of money.

Point being, if 3 gun is something you can see yourself doing for a while, don't be afraid to buy the decent guns upfront. There is a lot to be said for practice, but having the right equipment plays its part too.
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This really should be made into a sticky.

I have almost followed the same path as Onagoth here, (590 to 930) only I stopped at over-accessorizing my 930 SPX. I started to realize the handguard actually interferes with the deuce and quad loading (even with the port opened up)

Though I've run some intense shotgun stages in +35 weather and the only bad thing that happened was me burning my hand on the barrel. But I've never shot at a stage with more than 30 or so shells. I think the gas system becomes a worry when you are shooting large stages all day long and the build up starts to become an issue. I recall one video of Taran Butler shooting a stage with a Saiga 12 and commenting a few times about where is Benelli is at.
 
Kanwar88 said:
In response to alpining, if been trap shooting once and enjoyed and did alright 17/25 on second try.

As for everyone else who chimed in, thank you, I think it makes sense for me to buy a cheap pump like an 870 buy good gear and ammo and practice. And I can upgrade to a Benelli m2 if I'm actually serious about 3 gun.
Click to expand...

If you are going to get an 870, the common issue I see at matches is using cheap ammo and the Remington's rough chamber.
It isn't with all 870's, but when people use the shells with the silver base (tin) vs the brass bases, they expand in the chamber and don't contract like brass does when fired and the often rough chamber of an 870 means the action locks up.
Competitors waste a boatload of time tryign to finish the stage with constant jams, and they get seriously demotivated to continue.

I know one or two people who have sold their guns asap after the match to go with another platform.

If you are getting an 870, get the chamber polished and use decent ammo for matches.
Better yet, get a Benelli Nova for roughly the same money as an 870 and have a much better platform for the 3gun game (my opinion).

you'll see all of these guns at the match in 2 weeks if you come out.
 
pauls said:
If you are going to get an 870, the common issue I see at matches is using cheap ammo and the Remington's rough chamber.
It isn't with all 870's, but when people use the shells with the silver base (tin) vs the brass bases, they expand in the chamber and don't contract like brass does when fired and the often rough chamber of an 870 means the action locks up.
Competitors waste a boatload of time tryign to finish the stage with constant jams, and they get seriously demotivated to continue.

I know one or two people who have sold their guns asap after the match to go with another platform.

If you are getting an 870, get the chamber polished and use decent ammo for matches.
Better yet, get a Benelli Nova for roughly the same money as an 870 and have a much better platform for the 3gun game (my opinion).

you'll see all of these guns at the match in 2 weeks if you come out.
Click to expand...
Im not fully decided on anything, I will look into the Nova. I do not want to spend money on upgrades, I plan on using the gun, and if I'm
very serious about multi gun I'll buy a benelli m2. I idea of upgrading a low end gun doesn't sit well with me.

I won't be able to make it to any matches, currently working 14 hours a day trying to finish thesis. The shotgun will be a Christmas present to myself.
 
pauls said:
If you are going to get an 870, the common issue I see at matches is using cheap ammo and the Remington's rough chamber.
It isn't with all 870's, but when people use the shells with the silver base (tin) vs the brass bases, they expand in the chamber and don't contract like brass does when fired and the often rough chamber of an 870 means the action locks up.
...
If you are getting an 870, get the chamber polished and use decent ammo for matches.
...
you'll see all of these guns at the match in 2 weeks if you come out.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Rough chamber + cheap ammo = frustration.

Quality brass-cased ammo costs only marginally more than the cheapest target loads. So OP, if you're going the 870 route do yourself a favour and get the better shells. $70/flat from these guys, for example: www.ammosupply.ca/info/123/

Polishing the chamber is an easy DIY job requiring a 12ga bore brush, section of cleaning rod, fine steel wool, and an electric drill.

And go to that match pauls is talking about!
 
I currently own the Fabarm SAT8 with the adjustable Knoxx Recoil reducing stock. I have the mag tube capable of holding 5.5X 3" shells. This has allowed for 6X 2-3/4 shells, one chambered, one ghost for total capacity of 8. Pretty decent for a semi....

Cant comment on it for 3gun; however it is a fantastic shotgun. Excellent fit and finish and no cycling problems thus far. Ghost ring sights are nice and the barrel comes threaded to accept chokes if you require.
 
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