Buying first shotgun - Interested in Winchester SXP of some sort, some questions.

J

JW85

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Hello, I am hoping to buy my first shot gun. Once my PAL processes anyway, it's been a long wait due to COVID.

I am interested particularly in the Winchester SXP, I like their tan coloured/camo offerings. I am looking at two models right now: SXP Hybrid Hunter and SXP Dark Earth Defender.

Which ever model I get, I want to compliment the purchase with another barrel. So for the defender I would add a 26 or 28" modified choke barrel and if I got the Hunter I would compliment with a shorter barrel.

Questions:
1. Is there any reason I should pick one of these models over the other even if I intend to add the second barrel?
2. I am left handed. I have shot pump action shotguns before without trouble, I actually enjoy being able to confirm safe more easily. But am I in for any problems with these models?
3. When buying a second barrel are there any compatibility "gotchas" that are going to make the barrels not fit the way I hope?
4. Are there any other models I should be looking at? Maverick 88 looked good for price but liked the aesthetics of the Winchester better. 870 looked good but read concerns re: extractors on the Express models, Benellis look nice but stretching the budget.

Thank you
 
Have you checked out the prices of extra barrels? It may make sense to pick up 2 separate guns in the used market rather then 1 gun and an extra barrel. Nothing wrong with multiple guns....in fact the more the merrier...

The SXP is a good pump. Being left handed, you may want to have a look at Mossberg pumps. They have a top tang safety which is nice for left handed shooters. Mossberg also has combo guns where you can get two or three barrels with one purchase. That would save you a lot of cash to do what you want to do. Food for thought
 
Have you shot the SXP Winchester ? Does it fit you well?
The SXP takes a little getting use to - essentially the action unlocks after firing, becoming auto-eject. It can be disconcerting to someone used to a more traditional pump cycle.
I always recommend that new shooters try the gun that they propose to buy - borrow at the local gun club, or among your circle of friends. Shooters are very generous, allowing a newbie to try out their gun at any club that I have joined in the Western Provinces. I suspect it is the same across Canada.
The SXP camp and field combo is the economical way to buy a two barrel pump shotgun, particularly when the combo comes on sale. Mossberg also offers two barrel combos.
I would find out how hard it is to find accessory barrels for the SXP and how much they cost. Canada is not a good country for finding accessory barrels in stock.
I would not be put off by the Remington Express shotgun, if you like the gun otherwise - the most common thing required by an 870 Express is a fine polishing of the chamber to solve extraction issues with steel head shotshells, and that is not with every gun. The Remington 870 has a long established reputation as a good gun. The Express model just cuts corners on polishing/finishing.
 
the Blackshadow barrel won't fit on my defender..the barrel band is set further back than the defender.. not sure of the newer models outside of the camp combos
 
I would say the longer barrel (26 or 28 in) offers better utility for the vast majority of your shooting needs. Suggest you prioritize getting a shotgun with that length to start.
 
When it comes to picking up additional barrels and aftermarket parts or upgrades I don’t think you can beat an 870, as a southpaw I’ve never had a problem with the cross bolt safety, you can get left hand safety’s as well. Not that there’s anything wrong with the sxp, a buddy has one and it’s a nicely built shotgun.

I have a newer production 870 express (2017) and it has been great, fit and finish was top notch. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy an 870, I know there’s a ton of online complaints about the express guns but my experience with a couple of them has been 100% good. Not a single ftf or fte. As for barrel options with the 870 you have everything from 12.5”, 14”, 18.5”, 20”, 23”, 26”, 28”. Plus you get bead, vent rib or rifle sight options.
 
1963beretta said:
Have you checked out the prices of extra barrels? It may make sense to pick up 2 separate guns in the used market rather then 1 gun and an extra barrel. Nothing wrong with multiple guns....in fact the more the merrier...

The SXP is a good pump. Being left handed, you may want to have a look at Mossberg pumps. They have a top tang safety which is nice for left handed shooters. Mossberg also has combo guns where you can get two or three barrels with one purchase. That would save you a lot of cash to do what you want to do. Food for thought
Click to expand...

Thank you. I'm seeing now that barrels are fairly expensive in many places, nearly approaching the cost of a new gun. It seems like Mossberg barrels lean most towards the affordable. I did see a great looking tan combo Mossberg 500 on Londeros. It was one of their flex combos and it came with a tan coloured long barrel and a tan coloured 18.5" barrel, but I emailed them and was told "discontinued".

Would go for the Mossberg if I could get a tan coloured model.
 
saskbooknut said:
Have you shot the SXP Winchester ? Does it fit you well?
The SXP takes a little getting use to - essentially the action unlocks after firing, becoming auto-eject. It can be disconcerting to someone used to a more traditional pump cycle.
I always recommend that new shooters try the gun that they propose to buy - borrow at the local gun club, or among your circle of friends. Shooters are very generous, allowing a newbie to try out their gun at any club that I have joined in the Western Provinces. I suspect it is the same across Canada.
The SXP camp and field combo is the economical way to buy a two barrel pump shotgun, particularly when the combo comes on sale. Mossberg also offers two barrel combos.
I would find out how hard it is to find accessory barrels for the SXP and how much they cost. Canada is not a good country for finding accessory barrels in stock.
I would not be put off by the Remington Express shotgun, if you like the gun otherwise - the most common thing required by an 870 Express is a fine polishing of the chamber to solve extraction issues with steel head shotshells, and that is not with every gun. The Remington 870 has a long established reputation as a good gun. The Express model just cuts corners on polishing/finishing.
Click to expand...

I think that the assisted pump wouldn't bother me too much, I might actually favor it with time. Does the assisted eject result in gases hitting the face for a left handed shooter though?
 
Butcherbill said:
When it comes to picking up additional barrels and aftermarket parts or upgrades I don’t think you can beat an 870, as a southpaw I’ve never had a problem with the cross bolt safety, you can get left hand safety’s as well. Not that there’s anything wrong with the sxp, a buddy has one and it’s a nicely built shotgun.

I have a newer production 870 express (2017) and it has been great, fit and finish was top notch. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy an 870, I know there’s a ton of online complaints about the express guns but my experience with a couple of them has been 100% good. Not a single ftf or fte. As for barrel options with the 870 you have everything from 12.5”, 14”, 18.5”, 20”, 23”, 26”, 28”. Plus you get bead, vent rib or rifle sight options.
Click to expand...

Thanks, maybe I should put the 870 back on the list for consideration.

The format of the safety isn't too important to me, cross-bolt looks fine.
 
cosmic said:
I would say the longer barrel (26 or 28 in) offers better utility for the vast majority of your shooting needs. Suggest you prioritize getting a shotgun with that length to start.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm leaning towards now. Thinking of the SXP Hybrid Hunter. Love the camo and tan combo, aesthetically i just find it very nice. Maybe if I skulk around I can later get a short tan barrel to compliment it.
 
Getting extra barrels is a chore and expensive.

Far more than it ought to be.

I second the suggestion of buying a 2nd hand one of the same type as your main gun, if it comes with the other barrel length you want.
 
I don't think that you'll have a problem with exhaust gases, or the ejected shell, though as a lefty, your right arm will be on the forend.
My comments were strictly to make you aware of the functioning of the SXP.
My hunting buddy had a SXP Black Shadow, and liked it.
His functioned without fail.
I found it a bit different, not entirely comfortable, but I am an old Model 12 shooter.
 
Two observations from my sxp. As a left-handed shooter, the safety in front of the trigger guard is much more awkward than one that is behind, especially with a pistol grip stock. It is not reversible either. It was clumsy enough that I ended up modifying mine for ambidextrous use. Below is a link to a couple of crappy pictures. I can't embed them for some reason.

https://imgur.com/a/cQtqKyd

The second thing I'll point out is that the trigger guard itself is quite small. I haven't found it to be an issue, but I wear pretty light gloves in the winter, and have average sized hands.

cQtqKyd


cQtqKyd
cQtqKyd
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I am going to try to get my hands on a few models to feel for fit and function before committing. Sounds like several good options are out there.
 
If you are young and left handed and going to be shooting left handed for the rest of your life and are buying a shotgun... go the extra and buy a left handed gun... it could easily be a lifetime of enjoyment. Bottom eject pumps as the Ithaca Model 37 and the Browning BPS are also excellent.
 
If you want the sxp, it comes on a camp and field combo. Long barrel with interchangeable chokes, and a shorter cylinder barrel thats heavier (thicker). I think it's a great shotgun for the price. Very reliable and smooth cycling.

Edit: was mentioned previously sorry...
 
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