Bolt action
- Thread starter matt49
- Start date
Maritime Storm
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Riverview, NB
TOZ still makes a smooth bore bolt action shotgun, however smooth bores almost always will have a 2 shot magazine. Tactical and bolt action shotgun are not terms used in the same sentence, a bolt action 12ga is quite prone to jamming especially if you are shooting 2 3/4" shells in a 3" chambered gun. At best they are a single shot, that reloads a little faster. It sounds like you are in search of a slide action.
The ones that I handled certainly were not smooth, or quick to cycle. As for the five round magazine, it isn't legal for hunting migratory birds, so the usage of such a shotgun is quite limited, and therefore most companies don't offer such a shotgun. As far as the reliability goes, the current better quality semi auto shotguns are very reliable.
I can't think of anything in current production beside a few savage shotguns, but they're all to my knowledge rifled barrels for slugs.
I think your best bet might be talking to Martin at corwin arms to see if he can bring anything in. This has worked out in the past for the short over/unders and backpackers.
I think your best bet might be talking to Martin at corwin arms to see if he can bring anything in. This has worked out in the past for the short over/unders and backpackers.
The only bolt action smooth bore 12's I know of are the older ones like the Geha Mauser conversion (integral mag), the Mossberg Model 195 (2+1) that takes mags, the Kessler Model 128FR (2+1) that takes mags, the Spiegel MODEL 32-0 ((2+1) that takes mags and then there were the JC Higgins, Sears, etc. version that were usually re-badged versions of the aforementioned guns.
In general, there is a reason these guns ceased production in favour of pumps. They simply were not good performers compared to the other action types out there. I had a Mossberg many years ago as my loaner and the detachable mag was the bane of its existence. It did not feed all that well with most brands of ammo and the mag was prone to dropping free. The release was not very stiff and caught on tree branches easily when going too/from duck blinds. After 2 mags lost in the swamps, and the hunt for a replacement, it got moved along in favour of other guns.
In modern guns, it looks like you basically have the Savage 212/220 series. I've never seen a mag for these that holds more than 2, but one may exist? I would not call these tactical. All models currently sold (maybe all EVER sold?) are rifled and are predominantly in 20 gauge, though the limited number of 212 variants are 12 gauge.
These are meant only for saboted slugs, and are essentially bolt action rifles for areas that only allow shotgun hunting. They are built for one thing only - the fire a saboted slug at rifle velocities and ranges with mounted optics. Perhaps not what you are looking for.
Hope that helps.
In general, there is a reason these guns ceased production in favour of pumps. They simply were not good performers compared to the other action types out there. I had a Mossberg many years ago as my loaner and the detachable mag was the bane of its existence. It did not feed all that well with most brands of ammo and the mag was prone to dropping free. The release was not very stiff and caught on tree branches easily when going too/from duck blinds. After 2 mags lost in the swamps, and the hunt for a replacement, it got moved along in favour of other guns.
In modern guns, it looks like you basically have the Savage 212/220 series. I've never seen a mag for these that holds more than 2, but one may exist? I would not call these tactical. All models currently sold (maybe all EVER sold?) are rifled and are predominantly in 20 gauge, though the limited number of 212 variants are 12 gauge.
These are meant only for saboted slugs, and are essentially bolt action rifles for areas that only allow shotgun hunting. They are built for one thing only - the fire a saboted slug at rifle velocities and ranges with mounted optics. Perhaps not what you are looking for.
Hope that helps.
TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I love bolt action shotguns for the goofy factor. I would never ever use one for serious work if I had an option to use anything else. My Baikal semi auto is far more reliable than a bolt action.
