Dominion Arms Grizzly

mdmaroon said:
I have one with 12.5" barrel.

Here's my honest opinion:

- It's heavy. My Maverick 88 with 18.5" barrel is lighter to carry, and holds one more shell.
- Since the barrel is so short, you can't put a pistol grip on it or it becomes restricted.
- Maverick 88 with pistol grip has smaller overall size and is lighter. (Grizzly = 31", Maverick = 28")
- If you're carrying it for animal protection, shorter and lighter is better, Maverick wins.
- Maverick 88 is $225 new. Pistol grip for it is what, $20?
- Maverick is better quality.

If I was carrying something for bear defense, I would get the cheapest pump action that can have a pistol grip on it and still be over 26" so it's not restricted. That's the Maverick. It's cheaper, lighter, still legal with a pistol grip making it smaller overall, and you won't have to explain 500 times to every damn Fudd that thinks your 12.5" barrel is illegal.

I only bought the Grizzly because it was a novelty with the short barrel. I'd sell it if anyone is interested.
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I've shot some 3" slugs out of a maverick88 with a pistol grip and all the recoil goes right into your thumb/palm area. no way id shoot one like that all the time.

the grizzly can have an adjustable stock w/pistol grip and is still under 30". thats a win in my books.
 
I've had the Mossberg 88 with pistol grip (it's non-restricted) for six years and haven't had a problem. Wish it was mag fed though for eaier loading/reloading.
 
schissler said:
I've shot some 3" slugs out of a maverick88 with a pistol grip and all the recoil goes right into your thumb/palm area. no way id shoot one like that all the time.

the grizzly can have an adjustable stock w/pistol grip and is still under 30". thats a win in my books.
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How many bears are you getting attacked by!? I'm talking about which is better for actual bear defense, not for shooting. Hopefully, you never even have to shoot it.

The Maverick 88 is lighter, can be made shorter with pistol grip and still be legal, can hold one more shell in the magazine, is significantly cheaper, and you can waltz into nearly any gun store and buy one off the shelf.

Also, when I eject shells from my Grizzly, they just barely make it out of the ejection port. If I turned the gun sideways so the port was facing up, I bet they wouldn't eject. The Maverick ejects the shells so you could use them as a secondary weapon. First shot goes in the bear, then you turn to the side and finish him off with the spent shell.

I will agree with you that a Maverick with a pistol grip wouldn't be fun if you were doing a lot of shooting. It would hurt.

I'm only evaluating these as an animal defense weapon. IF you could legally put a pistol grip on the Grizzly, I would choose the 8.5" and carry that for defense. Since you can't, I choose the Maverick.

Of course, if the Grizzly was the only thing I had, it would also be a fine animal defense gun. It works, nothing wrong with it, I'm just saying it's my 2nd choice compared to something that is cheaper, lighter, shorter, holds another round, and might even be slightly more powerful due to the longer barrel.

My Maverick 88 is 21 years old, has had thousands of rounds through it, and has never failed. Paid $199 at Canadian Tire. Today they're $225, give or take. I love it. I should start collecting them, like SKS's...LOL
 
No i hear ya i was thinking more multi purpose than just a bear gun.

what about the 14" 870 barrel with pistol grip? that should be pretty close to 26oal?
 
canuckiron said:
So what is this stuff on the gun. Kind of a grease?
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if im not mistaken its Cosmoline, or whatever cheap knockoff the Chinese use for Cosmoline.
its what the body craves.

back to the OP, i have the 12.5 with the mag feed, love it!
i actually took my 870 out of my truck and put it in my truck instead i like it so much.
BUT, i still have the Winchester defender in the house..... you just cant touch Winchester quality.
USA made Winchester.... not Turkey made Winchester.
that's just ironic.... Winchesters made in Turkey.
 
I've had 2 norc 14"s(first in 2004), 2 12.5" dominions and 1 norc 8.5" (which I still have) No major issues and all have been compatible with 870 accessories. Great gun for the money and have never failed me. My only gripe is the POISON smelling rubber butt pad! I always swap out for shorter LOP stocks, but man, I hate that smell.
 
mdmaroon said:
I have one with 12.5" barrel.

Here's my honest opinion:

- It's heavy. My Maverick 88 with 18.5" barrel is lighter to carry, and holds one more shell.
- Since the barrel is so short, you can't put a pistol grip on it or it becomes restricted.
- Maverick 88 with pistol grip has smaller overall size and is lighter. (Grizzly = 31", Maverick = 28")
- If you're carrying it for animal protection, shorter and lighter is better, Maverick wins.
- Maverick 88 is $225 new. Pistol grip for it is what, $20?
- Maverick is better quality.

If I was carrying something for bear defense, I would get the cheapest pump action that can have a pistol grip on it and still be over 26" so it's not restricted. That's the Maverick. It's cheaper, lighter, still legal with a pistol grip making it smaller overall, and you won't have to explain 500 times to every damn Fudd that thinks your 12.5" barrel is illegal.

I only bought the Grizzly because it was a novelty with the short barrel. I'd sell it if anyone is interested.
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Well I don't like a pistol grip unless it has the shoulder stock as well. So I guess your Maverick (whomever makes it, oh! its Mossberg) wouldn't work for me. I used to have a Winchester Defender years ago with a very cumbersome 8 shot mag tube on it and it was a right pain in the butt. Too front heavy. They are remarkably similar in appearance I see. I wanted the shorter mag and really like the ghost ring sights and it seems to have good balance for me. I am very happy. If I hear of anyone looking for your Grizzly, I will point them your way.
 
I concur that the HP9s / DAs are heavy - makes a difference if you are packing the thing around in the bush all day. Changed out the furniture on a 12.5 inch barrel and it made quite a difference with regard to weight. No issues with functionality though, always works. Though it can give a nice cheek smack with the aftermarket stock if your not careful. And x2 on the comment that the maverick is lighter with the 18.5 inch barrel - durable shotgun for sure. Overall i find that the 590A1s best both of them in overall quality /performance
 
I absolutely love my DA Grizzly. I have the 15" Grizzly and I also ordered a 12.5" replacement barrel from CanAm when they made them. I removed the stock and put on an adjustable tactical stock. It is so much fun to shoot and a perfect home defense weapon. The Chinese can make good products if they want to and the Grizzly is definitely one of them. I only have 3 guns and the Grizzly is my favorite. :D
 
mdmaroon said:
I have one with 12.5" barrel.

Here's my honest opinion:

- It's heavy. My Maverick 88 with 18.5" barrel is lighter to carry, and holds one more shell.
- Since the barrel is so short, you can't put a pistol grip on it or it becomes restricted.
- Maverick 88 with pistol grip has smaller overall size and is lighter. (Grizzly = 31", Maverick = 28")
- If you're carrying it for animal protection, shorter and lighter is better, Maverick wins.
- Maverick 88 is $225 new. Pistol grip for it is what, $20?
- Maverick is better quality.

If I was carrying something for bear defense, I would get the cheapest pump action that can have a pistol grip on it and still be over 26" so it's not restricted. That's the Maverick. It's cheaper, lighter, still legal with a pistol grip making it smaller overall, and you won't have to explain 500 times to every damn Fudd that thinks your 12.5" barrel is illegal.

I only bought the Grizzly because it was a novelty with the short barrel. I'd sell it if anyone is interested.
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pistol grip for defence good luck hitting anything when it counts
 
I have a 8.5 I replaced the follower with a metal one for 14 bucks works way better for feeding. I also removed the dimples on the barrel so now it holds 3 rounds in the tube instead of 2 (2 3/4 inch shells) Some are longer so they don't fit 3 of them by a hair. 3 rounds 1 in the tube for a total of 4 not bad. I load mine with a tru flare bear banger a lightfield ruber slug then a Winchester pdx1 slug and buckshot combo round. I keep 3 rounds in the tube and none in the chamber and I figure that's good enough for bears.

Park rangers use bear banger, rubber slug, bear banger, rubber slug, real slug. If the bear doesn't leave fast enough with the bang they get shot with the rubber slug then another bear banger is enough to send them on the way because they know it will hurt if they hang around.

I figure if the first bang doesn't send them on the way ie I had a bear show up when I was shooting clays it didn't care about the noise it showed up because of it. I have a rubber slug to send them on their way and if that doesn't work I got the last round for my buddys leg so I can out run him :p


Now I have a 14 inch barrel shotgun and a 18.5 the 8.5 at 20 yards and target loads sometimes bounces off a plastic bottle were the 14 and 18.5 inch shotguns don't. That's 1 thing to factor in if you get the shorter one less rounds and allot less power behind it due to the short barrel. (same round in longer barrel blows up the bottle)

If I was going to buy another shotgun again for bear I would just get the mavrik 88 because it's cheaper and a longer barrel and if you get the field and security combo you get the pistol grip and longer barrel as well making it more versatile. They didn't have any in stock and I wanted a bear gun for that day and didn't want to beat on my nice guns so I bought 1 it's a firearm I don't have to care about. If I had a choice I would take my SW revolver instead but laws being what they're.
 
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IMHO both the Maverick 88 and the HP9 are great shotguns for the money. I hated using the pistol grip though and stuck with the full stock instead.

I have no input on the Grizzly but I'm watching this thread with interest.
 
Kind of resurrecting an old thread here, but just got my 12.5 Grizzly (tube fed) the other day. Great Little Gun.

It's definitely heavier then I expected for its size. Hopefully this will translate to it being hardy and able to withstand harsh hunting/camping conditions.

Now that I've played with it, if I could do it over I'd probably buy the 12.5 tactical instead, but otherwise no complaints.

Love how it turns heads :)
 
canuckiron said:
Just looking for feedback or experiences with these shotguns. Are they any good or something to be avoided?

Thanks in advance.
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I bought one second hand about a week after the LGR went down to celebrate and for mixed game (grouse, rabbits, deer, moose) this 870 clone can't be beat.
I love the ghost aperture sights and the short 12.5" barrel for fast turning and shooting.
My gun is very accurate with rifled slugs to 50 yards with 3 shots staying within a 4" circle which is pretty good for a smooth bore.
I haven't had a single jam with shot shells or slugs and the gun is very smooth cycling.
Shot plenty of birds and rabbits with my DA Grizzly.
The DA Grizzly is definitely a success story.
 
I made a little write-up on the Grizzly MAG 8.5" on my blog over here.

unlimitedshootingworks.########[DOT]ca/2013/07/grizzly-mag-85-short-barreled-box[DOT]html

(I'm not selling or advertising anything, it would just be a lot of trouble to repost the whole review, please don't ban me for linking outside of CGN. This is for information only.)
 
Have the 12.5 DA with the Chinese butt stock and forend swapped for a synthetic Rem. butt stock and police forend. Much lighter carrying now but definitely more bang to the shoulder when shooting slugs, even had the barrel threaded for Rem. choke system.
 
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