Question about the lesser known shotguns and their reliability?

cereal83

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Hey all,

I keep seeing some cheaper option shotguns or shotguns with AR style mags from Manufactures that are not part of the top tier like Remington, Benelli, Mossberg etc and I am wondering how these shotguns are working out for people? I see alot that look appealing but if I am going to have nothing but issues with them, I'd rather not even consider them.

I am looking for a semi 12 Gauge and I see brand's from Deyka, Uzkon, Fabarm which look like they would fit the bill. Some of these are cheaper and some are more expensive so I am not looking for the cheapest option necessarily. If I can buy a Uzkon for $350 plus tax and have it work reliable, I'd like to consider that. If the $1050 for a Deyka is going to be a waste as it doesn't cycle most brand shotguns then I would like to omit that.

Just looking for some opinions for my next shotgun choice. I am looking for something to maybe compete in 3 gun in the future so I would like reliability first.

Thanks
 
I picked up the Derya Mk10 specifically for 3 gun as well - have only had it a few weeks now, but a couple outings with it and a real variety of shells; from 3" magnum 00BK to 3" slugs to 2.75" 00BK to light 2.75" target loads (Federal and Winchester) and it's all worked fine.
 
I saw it at Tenda last weekend and it was nice. I really like it. I just know a majority of the people run a Versamax, M2, 3500 etc so these are well known names.

It good to know you had limited issues with it but if you read reviews on the internet, people just bash them basically and alot of them are for sale used.
 
I saw it at Tenda last weekend and it was nice. I really like it. I just know a majority of the people run a Versamax, M2, 3500 etc so these are well known names.

It good to know you had limited issues with it but if you read reviews on the internet, people just bash them basically and alot of them are for sale used.

Nature of the beast with any product - owners with issues are far more likely to write about it than those who don't have problems. Myself, I really wanted a new Benelli M4, but at $2500, I figured I could be more than happy with a 1G Derya LOL.
 
Buy quality and cry once at the price or buy cheap and cry every time you take it out. It's cheap for a reason it's a matter of how much do you want to live with continual issues
 
Buy quality and cry once at the price or buy cheap and cry every time you take it out. It's cheap for a reason it's a matter of how much do you want to live with continual issues

Bull ^^^
Any gun can fail at anytime regardless of pricepoint or brand. I have cheap guns that are workhorses, and more expensive ones that have sh!t the bed.
 
Bull ^^^
Any gun can fail at anytime regardless of pricepoint or brand. I have cheap guns that are workhorses, and more expensive ones that have sh!t the bed.

Have to agree.

I've had some great Turk and Chinese guns. I've also had some crap ones.

I've also had a Ruger rifle that was such an incredible piece of sh@t that it wasn't worth dulling the blade of my chop saw to cut the receiver in half.

You spins the wheel, you takes your chances. With a lot of the less expensive Turkish guns, if it doesn't work out, oh well, at least you're not out much. Most of the ones I've gotten have been great, reliable firearms.
 
I guess it's just your results may vary type thing? Different people have different luck with different guns. Um. I really like the Derya but not sure if I should get an M2 instead. I like the appearance of the shotgun and the mags but prefer reliability.

Maybe I'll go watch a match and see what the people are using.
 
Have to agree.

I've had some great Turk and Chinese guns. I've also had some crap ones.

I've also had a Ruger rifle that was such an incredible piece of sh@t that it wasn't worth dulling the blade of my chop saw to cut the receiver in half.

You spins the wheel, you takes your chances. With a lot of the less expensive Turkish guns, if it doesn't work out, oh well, at least you're not out much. Most of the ones I've gotten have been great, reliable firearms.

That may be true but odds of having a dependable gun are better with the well known names. That doesn't mean that people don't get pieces of crap that are Benelli or Remington. Its just that there aren't as many as the lower brands. I just think that your chances are better.
 
If you're thinking of getting a shotgun manufactured by one of the more obscure
companies, look into parts availability. Sometimes your only option will be to buy
another complete "parts gun". The only place you might find parts is on our EE, if you are lucky.
 
That may be true but odds of having a dependable gun are better with the well known names. That doesn't mean that people don't get pieces of crap that are Benelli or Remington. Its just that there aren't as many as the lower brands. I just think that your chances are better.

It's a risk v. cost equation.

The Turk guns cost 1/2 or less than most of the North American and Italian guns (I'm being really conservative here), but in my experience (which is a limited sample), they aren't twice as likely to fail or turn out to be "built on a Monday" guns.

At the same time...

Generally, I'm not buying Turk guns as something I'm planning on handing down to the kid. I'm buying them as "made to be abused workhorses." They fit that part of the cabinet of guns that I shoot the heck out of and dump when they're used up.
 
Fabarm are quality guns, you won't be disappointed with one.

I've had 2 Fabarms, both smooth as silk and the fit/finish has been impeccable. The LPA fiber optic/peep sights on my Fabarm Pro Forces are the nicest sights I've ever seen on a shotgun. This comes in handy when you get older and your vision isn't what it used to be.

I just noticed you are looking for a semi-auto so I'll bow out as all mine have been pumps.
 
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Thanks for the responses guys.

I pretty much decided to stick with mainstream names. Either going with an M2, M4, Tacord Versamax or if I am feeling cheap, a Stoeger M3K. I really like the Fabarm SAT however very few retailers sell it and there is not many threads about them so while they might be good, I assume I would have more luck with accessories, warranty with a name like Remington or Benelli.

I really really really like the look of the 930 JM Pro however with the reliability issues, I am going to stay away. If there was no reliability issues then I would definitely go with this shotgun.

None of my guns will be passed down to my kids. They are for me to use now and enjoy them now.
 
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S&J can source parts for Uzkon, Martin as well for the Sinsinati and other brands he sells through Corwin and Bell Lifestyle is the parts and warranty repair centre for Hatsan.
 
I wouldn't touch a Turk brand shotgun with a ten foot pole... I've had a few... They all disappointed me greatly.

I also own a Fabarm STF 12, a very nice shotgun indeed.... Buts it's super overpriced, has very limited part and accessory support.

For 3 gun I'd recommend shotguns that are suggested in professional 3 gun videos on YouTube, or some mossy or Remington.... The Winchester shotguns are great as well, I have one, and yes they are made in Turkey, but the quality control is definitely there, unlike the Turk brand shotguns.
 
If it's semi auto don't try the Benelli - you will want one - ask me how I know.....

I looked at all the more economical options before I finally went that direction and I don't regret it.

I should say that I also have an Uzkon pump, it's not a bad gun (I actually quite like it) but it's not even in the same league as my M4
 
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