Alpharms SA15 shotgun review .. Sorta... Update post 32

[Outcast]

I will not accept negative posts based on what you saw or heard from some one else. Let's keep comments to our personal experience's or I will delete them, thank you.

Mr. Wolverine
I certainly didn't want to start a thread which may be seen in a negative light. I was hoping to add some guidance to others who may be experiencing similar issues. If you feel this thread is counter productive I certainly wouldn't be offended if it either gets deleted or locked down.

 

[Mr Wolverine]

Mr. Wolverine
I certainly didn't want to start a thread which may be seen in a negative light. I was hoping to add some guidance to others who may be experiencing similar issues. If you feel this thread is counter productive I certainly wouldn't be offended if it either gets deleted or locked down.

I am pleased to have any thread posted that is based on first hand experance, good or bad. I object to threads posted that simply dam a product based on what they saw or read on the Internet. Please keep posting, first hand accounts are relayed back to the manufacture to assist in developing a product, thank you.

 

[flyerboyz]

This is what a review should look like. Thanks for the great info. I just inboxed mine and started to strip, Polish and improve. If you come up with any tricks let us I know. Cheers

 

[chalkriver]

Well my opinion of Wolverine and their customer service / attitude keeps improving .....hopefully the shotgun starts to run well soon .
I have only ran about 60 rounds throught it so far and it has feeding issues so far with the 2 3/4 and 3 inch that I tried ....


Updated ref the following post.

1. Cleaned and lubed
2. Tapped on raised ridge on side of mag with a small hammer to get mags to insert and remove better.

 

[9mmGunGuy]

I think it would be helpful if you post a review if you indicate what you've done to the shotgun (i.e., cleaned, deburred, thoroughly lubed, etc.).
I noticed quite a ridge on the feed ramp -- at least it was easily felt by finger. Personally, I would polish the feed ramp before shooting.
I'm sure some people take it out of the package and just shot it -- which might be the source of some problems.
Note: Haven't actually shot mine yet.

 

[tavares86]

I wet sanded the follower on my mags with 800 grit, cleaned and re lubed mine. I'm hoping I can try it out again soon and see if it'll improve from its first run.

 

[carverk]

I wet sanded the follower on my mags with 800 grit, cleaned and re lubed mine. I'm hoping I can try it out again soon and see if it'll improve from its first run.

My first two mags ran 100% and then it went to hell but after 60 round it is smothing out nicely but I can only put 4 ronds in each mag
At the end of the day I bump fired a full mag off it was friggen awesome Lol

I will post vidio showing how well this shotgun works wen I figer out how to transfer video from my phone
I'm realy happy with it and know it will just get better and better

 

[sheep100]

Alpharms 15AS Field Test (Part 1)

My main concern when I bought the gun was the cost of feeding it. Apparently in the right condition the gun will cycle “cheap” target the loads as well as the “high velocity” loads.
Prior to testing I’ve used over 100 rounds of 3 inch - odds and ends - I’ve kept from hunting over the years. Lightly oiled the bolt prior to testing and used both magazines to see if feeding problem were magazine related. The issues were mostly magazines related.
The rounds were sitting too high on the follower and kept putting pressure on the cartridge being extracted.Preventing the spend case to extract properly. I lowered the angle of feed by sanding down the lower back side of the follower and the folower's ramp.

So after fixing the magazines: I tested 7 different loads, fired as many rounds of each loads I could from the highest velocity to the lowest:
Winchester X-Pert Hi-Velocity 3 (1550 Velocity)
*Worked like a charm. No issues what-so-ever.
Federal Speed Shok 3 (1550 Velocity)
*Worked like a charm. No issues what-so-ever.
Challenger Super Magnum 3 (1550 Velocity)
*Worked like a charm. No issues what-so-ever
Winchester Heavy Load 2 ¾ (1255 Velocity)
*Low brass: the brass comes apart and the shell stays in the chamber.
Federal Heavy Field Load 2 ¾ (1255 Velocity)
*Failure to extract. Brass comes apart.
Score Super Rapid Target 2 ¾ (1145 Velocity)
*These works the best. No issues what-so-ever.
Winchester Super-Target 2 ¾ (1145 Velocity
*Low brass: the brass comes apart out and the shell stays in the chamber.

I tried all chokes and they all loosened their way out after 20-25 rounds. I’ve ended up “red-locktighting” the UTS chokes in place. The rail on the forstock is out of spec but the cheap UTG sights works perfectly.

Next is the slug accuracy test at 75 yards.

 

[9mmGunGuy]

Thanks for listing the loads you were testing. I've been asking about this since day one and finally someone answered.
Really appreciate your effort, sheep100.

 

[carverk]

Thanks for listing the loads you were testing. I've been asking about this since day one and finally someone answered.
Really appreciate your effort, sheep100.

I have only shot cheep 3" federal target loads plus sum mix Mach leftover slugs and buck that's all ther was at the store
Just run with 4 rounds in your mag
The first 60 or so rounds you will have trouble with jamming but after that she will run good
I still can't put 5 rounds in the magazens yet but I'm sheer over time it will loosen up
Don't get wond up over ammo just shoot cheep stuf till it's broken in
After 60 or so rounds thing start getting better

 

[trebor2880]

Shot mine for the first time, today. Only about 15 shells of mixed variety and age, all 2 3/4". Some were even paper hulls. Mag. was easy to load with 5, but did get jams.
Going to try it again with some decent ammo, but I want to put at least 50 rds. through it 'till I comment on it's reliability. Had fun anyways, and that's why I bought this one.

 

[carverk]

Shot mine for the first time, today. Only about 15 shells of mixed variety and age, all 2 3/4". Some were even paper hulls. Mag. was easy to load with 5, but did get jams.
Going to try it again with some decent ammo, but I want to put at least 50 rds. through it 'till I comment on it's reliability. Had fun anyways, and that's why I bought this one.

If you run just 4 rounds in the magazine till it brakes in you will have less les failure to feed Issues
After about 60 rounds I couldn't resist and tried bump firing worked 100%
I'm not encouraging any one to bump fire ther shotgun but it did put a big Grin on my face stay safe and have fun

 

[sheep100]

Thanks for listing the loads you were testing. I've been asking about this since day one and finally someone answered.
Really appreciate your effort, sheep100.

Next I'll be testing 7 different brands of slugs in 2 3/4 and 3 inch. Stay tuned.

 

[Runningfool]

I’ve ended up “red-locktighting” the UTS chokes in place...

Don't you want to be able to change chokes without having to use a torch?

 

[sheep100]

Don't you want to be able to change chokes without having to use a torch?

No. I am using the gun for slugs and buck shots.

 

[jify]

Has anyone found an effective way to get more reliability out of the magazines? Went out with my broken in, well lubed shotgun yesterday, still having issues with magazines. Shotgun seems to be just fine.

Was there any feedback from the manufacturer? What did the awesome folks at Wolverine Supplies do to get their shotgun magazines running so smoothly?

 

[trebor2880]

I'm glad to hear it's a jamming POS since Turkey is arming Isis and there is no doubt that these shotguns are being used by them to appease Allah.

Just needs some fine tuning and a little TLC of the clips and they're good to go.

 

[guess_kto]

My initial feedback:

1. I didn't even shoot it.
2. I love the concept.
3. Bolt charger is too small, uncomfortable, and looks that it will not last too long.
4. 2 chokes have defects: the cuts for the key are not really a complete cut and lack the cut at the base; therefore, the metal that supposed to be cut off is bent into the chock. In simple terms, if you shoot a slug, you will have 4 cuts in the slug from the bent inward metal where the cuts for the key are. So, check your chokes before using.
5. Mags are hard to get in and really hard to take out. The very first post gives you the hint:

Mags I sanded down with 150 grit sand paper to ease the sticky Magwell issues.

Mags are impossible to use as is, so I bought the sand paper. Most likely I will first smooth out the magwell and only then the mags if I have to. The mag spring feels too tight too. This may cause issues and jams.
6. Design wise, the stock bends to the left, a stupid idea. It would be much better if you could put it to the right and have a usable gun when the stock is folded.
7. The front sight is easily removable, which is a plus. IMHO the gun looks better without "AR" hand rail and "AR" front sight. If you like that, you may have issues as the manual tells that you have to remove it in order to disassemble the gun. I did not disassemble the gun just yet, but it looks that you would not be able to unscrew the cup under the barrel without removing the front sight first.

 

[guess_kto]

Don't you want to be able to change chokes without having to use a torch?

I removed the chokes with the key without a problem. The "muzzle brake" choke seems to be made in a different manner, has different rough finish (like a mag) and like a mag does get stuck. That one may be hard to remove in the future. Improved modified choke (my favorite) is perfect, smooth, and moves as it should. I hardly use any other ones except cylinder for slugs.

 

[geologist]

I didn't have a lot of time so I just ran a clean patch down the barrel, put a rag to the inside of the receiver and then hosed everything down with spray silicone lube from CT.

I am in the middle of a move and can't find anything.

I took off the handle and the front sight and went with a Bushnell TRS25 on a riser. It works well and with the cheekpiece on setting 3 I have a good cheekweld.

Mags don't stick but the spring is stiff and I wear gloves to load the mags and rack the tiny bolt handle.

All my shells are 2 3/4".

20 fullhouse Winchester slugs fed fired and extracted no problem.

40 Federal fullhouse OO buck fired 80% without hangups, 20% failed to eject with the hull stovepiped in the ejection port.

20 mixed light loads, Fiochi and Winchester birdshot, none ejected with some still in chamber and others stovepiped in the ejection port.

I'll tear it down when I get home from this trip, check for burrs and then clean, grease and oil.

I had more ammo and a bit more time but my fingers were sore from loading. Once consensus is reached on how many coils to remove I will modify the springs in the 5 mags that I have.

Once I got the red dot zeroed it was really fast and easy to hit with. Especially the slugs.

I ran it with the modified choke and my target was setup at 25 yards. I was very surprised that at that range the Federal fullhouse buck was grouping only 6-7".