Hello to the shotgun community on CGN and some questions

[AB3006]

Hi Everyone,

I've been a member here for a few months, generally hanging out in the Sports and Hunting Arms thread.

I have wanted to joint the shotgun club for a while now, and was doing a bit of poking around the interwebs.

So, Reliable Gun, one of the site sponsors, had an extended Father's Day sale on this:

https://www.reliablegun.com/akkar-c...nut-stock-4rds-bead-sight-mobil-choke-fimmicc

I realise that these Turkish shotguns don't have the greatest reputations for fit and finish, but the price was right and for farting around out on the range it should be OK.

Would you guys have any suggestions for a new user, especially maintenance and so forth? I appreciate all suggestions, but perhaps for "Sell it" or "Cancel the purchase", unless they're really warranted.

 

[Stephen Nash]

Welcome to what is usually the friendliest and most informative corner of CGN, and welcome to shotgunning. Everyone has to start somewhere, and at that price you can't go far wrong. I think you can do better quality-wise by buying something used at about the same price, like a Ithaca Model 37, or a Winchester Model 12, and many here seem to swear by Remington 870s and Mossbergs. However, searching for something used takes time, and involves some risk (you don't want someone's problem gun), so I can fully understand buying new and taking advantage of a sale. A walnut stock on an inexpensive pump is a nice feature.

Others with actual experience with the brand might chime in. My comments are general. As for recommendations, I strongly recommend finding the softest-shooting shells, like 2 3/4" target and low-recoil/low-pressure loads. Strong loads, and 3" shells, just punish you for nothing, cause bad habits like flinching, and promote frustration; no clay bird can outrun the lead coming out of softer loads. Recommendation #2, concentrate on learning shooting technique, such as mounting and swing. If the gun does not fit you well, you can always sell it and find one that fits you better. Recommendation #3, don't overthink choke. Yes, it helps, but it does not fix bad marksmanship. Recommendation #4, last one, have lots of fun. And you can always come back to this forum with questions.

 

[kamlooky]

If you decide to hunt with it, make sure the mag tube has a plug or a shell restrictor in it to limit it to two shells.
Check your area hunting regulations so that there are no surprises if you get checked by the CO’s.

 

[bdft]

That's as good a gun to start with as any. Once you hang around the range a bit and discover doubles in trap, 5 stand and maybe skeet, you will want something that fires the second shot quicker. You will have an O/U soon enough. Or maybe a semi. There is no such thing as only one shotgun.

 

[Painkillers]

Some Turkish shotguns have wonderful fit and finish, and Turkish Walnut can have marvelous figuring. That's not where they fall short, it's consistency, quality control, and quality of materials. Their shortcomings are more apparent with their auto shotguns. Some guys report that theirs will shoot everything fed, others can only run on heavy high brass, and others, can't run at all. It's a bit of a roll of the dice as to whether you get a good one, but they all look good.

I wouldn't hesitate with a pump or break action Turkish gun if that's where your budget is. Don't hesitate to look around for an old Mossberg 590 or Remington Wingmaster...you can find them used for what that new Turk will cost, and they are 10x's the shotgun. YMMV.

 

[AB3006]

Others with actual experience with the brand might chime in. My comments are general. As for recommendations, I strongly recommend finding the softest-shooting shells, like 2 3/4" target and low-recoil/low-pressure loads. Strong loads, and 3" shells, just punish you for nothing, cause bad habits like flinching, and promote frustration; no clay bird can outrun the lead coming out of softer loads. Recommendation #2, concentrate on learning shooting technique, such as mounting and swing. If the gun does not fit you well, you can always sell it and find one that fits you better. Recommendation #3, don't overthink choke. Yes, it helps, but it does not fix bad marksmanship. Recommendation #4, last one, have lots of fun. And you can always come back to this forum with questions.

Thank you for the excellent advice. The lower-recoiling load suggestion is particularly valuable. Would steel shot have any effect on this?

If you decide to hunt with it, make sure the mag tube has a plug or a shell restrictor in it to limit it to two shells.
Check your area hunting regulations so that there are no surprises if you get checked by the CO’s.

Yeah, the AB regs stipulate 3 total, that's 2+1. Good point.

That's as good a gun to start with as any. Once you hang around the range a bit and discover doubles in trap, 5 stand and maybe skeet, you will want something that fires the second shot quicker. You will have an O/U soon enough. Or maybe a semi. There is no such thing as only one shotgun.

That's what I'm afraid of. I started on this forum with 0 guns and the intent to buy 1. I now have 3 rifles, and now this shotgun.

Some Turkish shotguns have wonderful fit and finish, and Turkish Walnut can have marvelous figuring. That's not where they fall short, it's consistency, quality control, and quality of materials. Their shortcomings are more apparent with their auto shotguns. Some guys report that theirs will shoot everything fed, others can only run on heavy high brass, and others, can't run at all. It's a bit of a roll of the dice as to whether you get a good one, but they all look good.

I wouldn't hesitate with a pump or break action Turkish gun if that's where your budget is. Don't hesitate to look around for an old Mossberg 590 or Remington Wingmaster...you can find them used for what that new Turk will cost, and they are 10x's the shotgun. YMMV.

It was the walnut that sold me. This particular action variant seems to have a good reputation overall. Apparently it's a fairly close replica of the CZ 612. Anyways, it was a deal I couldn't (wouldn't??) pass up.

 

[Stephen Nash]

Thank you for the excellent advice. The lower-recoiling load suggestion is particularly valuable. Would steel shot have any effect on this?

Ah, as I only shoot vintage guns, I have never used steel shot. I'm afraid I cannot answer your question.

 

[saskbooknut]

The similarity to the CZ612 is because it is also made by Akkar.
Recoil is a result of three factors. The weight of the gun, the weight of the projectile, and the velocity of the projectile load.
Steel shot hunting loads are high velocity, to impart more energy to the shot.
Light lead target loads at lower velocity, will have less recoil than steel hunting loads.

 

[AB3006]

Yay, its NGD today! Or, it was yesterday. I came back forom my vacay, and picked up my new shotgun from CanPost.



First (caressing lovingly at home impressions):
Not a fan of the matte finish. Feels rough to the touch and I just know it will have scratches.
The walnut is really nice. Not fancy, but very well made, finished and has some nice grain.
The action is clunky, but very functional. It'll wear in.
Balance is great and LOP is perfect.
It's easy to point.
Fit and finish uneven: wood is finished great, but the buttstock is a bit larger than the corresponding mounting face on the action. The magazine end cap thread is rough AF, but the charging handle is OK.
All in all, quite happy, especially for the price. Will report in from the range in a few days.

 

[edgy]

Hope you enjoy it, looks ok doesn’t it. I have an Akkar Churchill O/U that has been very reliable and seems to be very well built. I’ve been super happy with it so far, hoping your turns out to be just as reliable

 

[Licensed to kill]

The similarity to the CZ612 is because it is also made by Akkar.

I believe that the parent company for CZ is Huglu. Akkar may be made by Huglu as well which would make them all similar.

 

[saskbooknut]

I believe that the parent company for CZ is Huglu. Akkar may be made by Huglu as well which would make them all similar.

Huglu is the major contactor supplying shotguns to CZ, but not the only one.
Akkar is another.
Huglu is not a parent company, or even a shareholder in CZ, as far as I know.
Česká zbrojovka a.s. (CZ, English: "Czech armory"), is a Czech armament manufacturer that is based in Uherský Brod. The company is famous for producing service, hunting and sporting firearms. It is owned by the Czech holding company Colt CZ Group SE, which also owns other brands with related production programs.

 

[stubblejumper]

Of course it's a little late now, but Lop is not the only dimension that matters with a shotgun. Drop at comb and cast are also important considerations to learn about before you purchase any more shotguns. Since you don't actually aim a shotgun, by lining up beads with the target, the shotgun should naturally point where you aim. And yes, that last statement probably surprised you, most new shotgunners shoulder the gun, close one eye, and try to aim using the beads, like they would with a rifle, but that is not the proper technique for wingshooting.

 

[AB3006]

Of course it's a little late now, but Lop is not the only dimension that matters with a shotgun. Drop at comb and cast are also important considerations to learn about before you purchase any more shotguns. Since you don't actually aim a shotgun, by lining up beads with the target, the shotgun should naturally point where you aim. And yes, that last statement probably surprised you, most new shotgunners shoulder the gun, close one eye, and try to aim using the beads, like they would with a rifle, but that is not the proper technique for wingshooting.

thank you. that's very important. I watched a few videos on YouTube about trap shooting, and one of the dry practice drills that they suggested was to align the barrel with the eye and then shoulder the shotgun. they suggested to practice this by aligning with the eye shouldering and then leading along the edge of the wall and the ceiling at home. I've been doing this and trying to make it a habit. going out to the range tomorrow to see if the habit is now a real habit or I'm just talking out of my non-talking hole.

 

[canvasback]

Thank you for the excellent advice. The lower-recoiling load suggestion is particularly valuable. Would steel shot have any effect on this?

What Pinfire is recommending is "low" or "soft" recoil shells. The material the pellets are made from has zero impact.....steel, lead, bismuth etc.....doesn't matter.

Recoil is simply physics......it's the relationship between the weight of the gun (which absorbs recoil so you don't have to) vs the total weight of the load and the speed that load is being accelerated to before it leaves the muzzle.

You asked about steel. The steel itself makes no difference. But steel loads are often very fast loads (to make up for each pellet's relatively light weight) so you may find they do have a bit more recoil. In general look for loads that are 1 oz or less and with a muzzle speed of no more than 1200 fps.

I often buy Winchester Low Noise, Low Recoil AA Target loads. They are at the very slow end of the speed spectrum.......around 950 fps. You barely feel them.

 

[stubblejumper]

thank you. that's very important. I watched a few videos on YouTube about trap shooting, and one of the dry practice drills that they suggested was to align the barrel with the eye and then shoulder the shotgun. they suggested to practice this by aligning with the eye shouldering and then leading along the edge of the wall and the ceiling at home. I've been doing this and trying to make it a habit. going out to the range tomorrow to see if the habit is now a real habit or I'm just talking out of my non-talking hole.

Most people new to shotgunning try to use the beads as sights, and they end up following the target far too long, and they don't concentrate on the target. Once you get into the habit, it's hard to break, so try not to get into the habit in the first place.