Hey all, I'm back.
As promised I just came back from a trip to the range.
I'll try to keep this short and sweet and give some good constructive criticism.
Disclaimer: These are only my experiences and opinions. I did take it apart and put it back together, so please keep this in mind.
THE GOOD:
Shotgun works!
Yes, I was able to put approximately 80-shells (Trap#7's and 00-Buckshot) into the target/burm with little effort.
The 5-rnd magazines worked well, the 10-rnd magazines were very stiff stripping off the top 3 shells, but from then on the ease at which the action worked was comparable to that of the 5-rnd Magazines.
That's really it.
It works and that is good at the end of the day.
THE BAD:
I've probably spent at least 6-8hours looking over this shotgun and trying to decide what to do with it. As I said several time, it's beautiful. The receiver looks very well made as does the bolt and bolt slide.
I never doubted that it wouldn't work. My gripe was with the build quality of certain parts (i.e. Springbok and magazine-modifications.)
The magazine modifications: My only beef with the mags really boils down to the "machining" used to modify each mag.
The magazines also do not lend themselves well to rough treatment when loaded (if you drop one the right way, shells will spew.)
The mags cannot be carried loaded and loosely, shells will pop making need for Saiga-magpouches mandatory (if one ever had a need to carry loaded mags.)
I've already mentioned that I feel the springbok is not worth the price it commands.
The manufacturing of the springbok was outright terrible to the point that my mag tube wasn't even indexed properly when the cuts were made. Perhaps BAT might have replaced this had I sought a replacement first, we'll never know at this stage of the game.
BTW, I challenge anyone here to find a photo of the Springbok system on the BAT website. If found, please post link here. Why would BAT not display/explain this feature on their site?
That's all I'll say about that. Make your own call on that option when placing your order.
CONCLUSION:
The gun as it is, is a great range toy.
The shooter will not experience any problems sitting at a bench (or standing) and blasting away. If this is all you do, then you will enjoy this gun.
Oh, and it does look Fantastic! That is the reason I bought it afterall. ### appeal does indeed sell.
I have some ideas for improvements, but there is no point in my mentioning them here, or ever.
If you want a shotgun for protection of any kind, it is my non-professional opinion that a traditional tube fed shotgun be used instead.
Feel free to disagree with me, but I paid the big money so I get to give my opinion on the product that I bought.
As I said in my earlier post I was willing to see this thing to the end... but it's clear this is it.
Cheers~
****************************************************************************ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW***************
It really is true: A firearm is only as good as the magazine(s) that feed it.
A Diamond in the rough.
I recently received my Black Aces Tactical - Pro Series 5 Special Purpose (w/Springbok pump assist) and I'm ready to write up a quick, honest, initial review.
First thing is first... change that ATI folding stock!
I had already purchased a Wood-Laminate stock in preparation for this shotguns arrival as I knew I was going to HATE the folding stock that it came equipped with.
Out of the box, the wood is on and things are looking good *at this point I am really excited and happy with my purchase.
I also tossed on a couple GG&G sling plates I had lying around.
Nothing special here except that the rear plate was extremely tight and by extreme I mean I had to hammer it on (carefully) and work away a few thousandths of material (by force) in order to get a proper fit.
No biggie as I rather things be tight than loose anyway.
###Y RIGHT? This is one sweet looking shotgun.
Now for the bad. The SPRINGBOK. Eeeesh! $300 for what looks to be done with a dremel tool - very amateur.
I will offer some constructive criticism and acknowledge that it is a clever idea, but, the implementation is just, bad.
The magazines cannot be inserted on a closed bolt and with no bolt hold open it really begs the question... WHY?!
In order to insert the magazine one almost needs 3 hands; never mind the poor workmanship.
Unsure if you can see it in these pics, but those are the "cuts" in the tube (free-handed ala dremel... let's call it $150 worth):
The other $150 worth... the Springbok system:
The magazines also appear to be of the same workmanship as the Springbok... very crude. Not uniform. Every magazine is a one-off.
It also appears that all of my mags had the springs in backwards so that I was having problems getting the 10th shell in (in addition to lots of feeding problems); reversing the spring has helped a lot.
Now the good stuff.
The receiver looks as though it was outsourced by a US company called 'CRABIL MFG.' I also will assume that the bolt and its components are also done by 'CRABIL MFG.'
It is very clear that the receiver and bolt carrier group/assembly look like the only things on this shotgun (aside from Mossberg barrel and ATI Stock) that were made by with some professional equipment (sorry Black Aces Tactical, I'm not trying to be a ####, just saying it like it is.)
The paint which was applied by Black Aces Tactical is done well. No drips or fingerprints which I was actually kind of expecting.
Not Giving Up!
In the end, the only real complaint was the Springbok wich was an option (Don't Get It!)
And the ugly, springbok-esque magazines.
Ultimately if proprietary magazines were made for these shotguns, they'd be really great guns.
I've since completely removed the SPRINGBOK and am now shopping around for a stock magtube so that I can get this gun to a presentable state (and not feel completely embarrassed.)
It's also worth mentioning that the pump-action is even better with Springbok gone! Very smooth although does require more initial power to *strip-off the first few shells form the magazine.
*Dummy Rounds
In the end, had I only paid $599 for this shotgun it wouldn't bad. The SPRINGBOK is where I got robbed and the magazines just carry-on the SPRINGBOK workmanship which leaves a lot to be desired.
This shotgun has a lot of potential. Look Cool Factor is high with those monster 10rnd magazines hanging off of them.
Last time: If the magazines were proprietary and well made, no springbok included, these shotguns would be an almost mandatory purchase for any GunNut
Anyone else have one? Thoughts?
As promised I just came back from a trip to the range.
I'll try to keep this short and sweet and give some good constructive criticism.
Disclaimer: These are only my experiences and opinions. I did take it apart and put it back together, so please keep this in mind.
THE GOOD:
Shotgun works!
Yes, I was able to put approximately 80-shells (Trap#7's and 00-Buckshot) into the target/burm with little effort.
The 5-rnd magazines worked well, the 10-rnd magazines were very stiff stripping off the top 3 shells, but from then on the ease at which the action worked was comparable to that of the 5-rnd Magazines.
That's really it.
It works and that is good at the end of the day.
THE BAD:
I've probably spent at least 6-8hours looking over this shotgun and trying to decide what to do with it. As I said several time, it's beautiful. The receiver looks very well made as does the bolt and bolt slide.
I never doubted that it wouldn't work. My gripe was with the build quality of certain parts (i.e. Springbok and magazine-modifications.)
The magazine modifications: My only beef with the mags really boils down to the "machining" used to modify each mag.
The magazines also do not lend themselves well to rough treatment when loaded (if you drop one the right way, shells will spew.)
The mags cannot be carried loaded and loosely, shells will pop making need for Saiga-magpouches mandatory (if one ever had a need to carry loaded mags.)
I've already mentioned that I feel the springbok is not worth the price it commands.
The manufacturing of the springbok was outright terrible to the point that my mag tube wasn't even indexed properly when the cuts were made. Perhaps BAT might have replaced this had I sought a replacement first, we'll never know at this stage of the game.
BTW, I challenge anyone here to find a photo of the Springbok system on the BAT website. If found, please post link here. Why would BAT not display/explain this feature on their site?
That's all I'll say about that. Make your own call on that option when placing your order.
CONCLUSION:
The gun as it is, is a great range toy.
The shooter will not experience any problems sitting at a bench (or standing) and blasting away. If this is all you do, then you will enjoy this gun.
Oh, and it does look Fantastic! That is the reason I bought it afterall. ### appeal does indeed sell.
I have some ideas for improvements, but there is no point in my mentioning them here, or ever.
If you want a shotgun for protection of any kind, it is my non-professional opinion that a traditional tube fed shotgun be used instead.
Feel free to disagree with me, but I paid the big money so I get to give my opinion on the product that I bought.
As I said in my earlier post I was willing to see this thing to the end... but it's clear this is it.
Cheers~
****************************************************************************ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW***************
It really is true: A firearm is only as good as the magazine(s) that feed it.
A Diamond in the rough.
I recently received my Black Aces Tactical - Pro Series 5 Special Purpose (w/Springbok pump assist) and I'm ready to write up a quick, honest, initial review.
First thing is first... change that ATI folding stock!
I had already purchased a Wood-Laminate stock in preparation for this shotguns arrival as I knew I was going to HATE the folding stock that it came equipped with.
Out of the box, the wood is on and things are looking good *at this point I am really excited and happy with my purchase.
I also tossed on a couple GG&G sling plates I had lying around.
Nothing special here except that the rear plate was extremely tight and by extreme I mean I had to hammer it on (carefully) and work away a few thousandths of material (by force) in order to get a proper fit.
No biggie as I rather things be tight than loose anyway.
###Y RIGHT? This is one sweet looking shotgun.
Now for the bad. The SPRINGBOK. Eeeesh! $300 for what looks to be done with a dremel tool - very amateur.
I will offer some constructive criticism and acknowledge that it is a clever idea, but, the implementation is just, bad.
The magazines cannot be inserted on a closed bolt and with no bolt hold open it really begs the question... WHY?!
In order to insert the magazine one almost needs 3 hands; never mind the poor workmanship.
Unsure if you can see it in these pics, but those are the "cuts" in the tube (free-handed ala dremel... let's call it $150 worth):
The other $150 worth... the Springbok system:
The magazines also appear to be of the same workmanship as the Springbok... very crude. Not uniform. Every magazine is a one-off.
It also appears that all of my mags had the springs in backwards so that I was having problems getting the 10th shell in (in addition to lots of feeding problems); reversing the spring has helped a lot.
Now the good stuff.
The receiver looks as though it was outsourced by a US company called 'CRABIL MFG.' I also will assume that the bolt and its components are also done by 'CRABIL MFG.'
It is very clear that the receiver and bolt carrier group/assembly look like the only things on this shotgun (aside from Mossberg barrel and ATI Stock) that were made by with some professional equipment (sorry Black Aces Tactical, I'm not trying to be a ####, just saying it like it is.)
The paint which was applied by Black Aces Tactical is done well. No drips or fingerprints which I was actually kind of expecting.
Not Giving Up!
In the end, the only real complaint was the Springbok wich was an option (Don't Get It!)
And the ugly, springbok-esque magazines.
Ultimately if proprietary magazines were made for these shotguns, they'd be really great guns.
I've since completely removed the SPRINGBOK and am now shopping around for a stock magtube so that I can get this gun to a presentable state (and not feel completely embarrassed.)
It's also worth mentioning that the pump-action is even better with Springbok gone! Very smooth although does require more initial power to *strip-off the first few shells form the magazine.
*Dummy Rounds
In the end, had I only paid $599 for this shotgun it wouldn't bad. The SPRINGBOK is where I got robbed and the magazines just carry-on the SPRINGBOK workmanship which leaves a lot to be desired.
This shotgun has a lot of potential. Look Cool Factor is high with those monster 10rnd magazines hanging off of them.
Last time: If the magazines were proprietary and well made, no springbok included, these shotguns would be an almost mandatory purchase for any GunNut
Anyone else have one? Thoughts?
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