3 gun shotgun barrel length

Talltimber1

Talltimber1

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Looking to get into 3 gun in the future.
I have my eye on a couple shotguns as I already have pistol and rifle covered.
Wondering what size to get.
For those of you that 3 gun or even have a 21 or 24 inch shotgun what is your opinion?
Those are the 2 lengths I'm interested in.
Thanks for any input
 
22 or 24" would be my preference. I shoot a 26" barrel shotgun but only because it's what I already had. I'm a total rookie at 3gun but I'm also a gear enthusiast, so take my opinion for what it is.

Between a 21 and a 24 I don't think you could really go wrong. I've noticed lots of the shorter length barrels don't come with a vent rib and instead use peep sights or something more rifle style. I find the vent rib faster to use.
 
I went for the Canuck Sentry, mainly for the 8+1 capacity. I started out using a hunting shotgun unplugged (4+1) but due to the constant reloading (I can't quad-load worth beans) I went for a long magazine tube.
 
A good compromise between shot speed and forward weight is probably a 22-24"ish barrel. The real shorty barrels sometimes lack the shot velocity with standard target loads to knock down steel at longer distances, and a super long barrel doesn't swing as well (But will increase the weight of the gun, reducing felt recoil). I run a 28" (LOL) barrel Versamax just because that's what it came with. It's a monster at knocking down steel with an 1 1/8 oz load and a modified choke, but she's a little slower from target to target than I'd like. Buuuut that is partially made up for by the weight; it's a heavy beast with a full mag tube of shells, and muzzle rise is down considerably over the lighter weight shorter barrel guns like the 1301 tac.

There is no ideal gun really, every different scenario has benefits and compromises.
 
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I’m not expert 3 gunner (yet ��) but I’m very happy with my Beretta 1301 with a 24” barrel. I think it’s perfect for 3 gun.
 
Phat Eagle said:
Lots of guys run VM Tacticals at 22" length. Seems to do the trick. Too long can be tricky to negotiate obstacles and doors if your club does that sort of thing.
Click to expand...

My club doesn't do anything. I would be travelling after I get a little more gear and a whole bunch of practice in.
Won't be participating for awhile though as I have a knee surgery coming up but I can still shoot.
 
Ended up getting a Beretta 1301 competition gen 2 24inch
I shouldered a 21 inch 1301 comp pro but the older model felt better to me.
Surprising, as I wanted the pro.
I am really happy with what I got. Going to give it a cleaning and run some shells through shortly.
 
I have the 21” since a plus one extension doesn’t come anywhere near the end of the barrel I didn’t see the point. Yes you get a touch longer sight radius but 3” difference the gain is negligible. At the end of the day they are both excellent guns.
 
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