Question Collection: New Shooter

youonlywish

youonlywish

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I'll use this thread to group my questions instead of putting a whole bunch of new threads up.

Let me preface this by saying that anything I ask is a direct result of my not finding what I need on my own - I'm not asking to be spoonfed, but not looking to troll either.

So - I bought an 870 Express. I bought it because that's what I want - I know there are a PILE of different options but hey, I've got time to collect!

I want to get 'used' to the gun - what type of shot should I be looking to pick up first, to shoot paper?

What do you guys and gals use to haul around ammunition?
-I've seen the bandoliers around the shoulders and around the waist, but I'm looking for something to hook into my MOLLE vest. Not sure if it would be a good idea, but what about using a magdrop bag to have a pile of shells loose in? I've seen some MOLLE pouches for shells but I'm not sure if they're worth it...
 
youonlywish said:
I'll use this thread to group my questions instead of putting a whole bunch of new threads up. Let me preface this by saying that anything I ask is a direct result of my not finding what I need on my own - I'm not asking to be spoonfed, but not looking to troll either. So - I bought an 870 Express. I bought it because that's what I want - I know there are a PILE of different options but hey, I've got time to collect! I want to get 'used' to the gun - what type of shot should I be looking to pick up first, to shoot paper?
Click to expand...

If you can find it, buy low-recoil/Tactical lower-velocity slugs and buckshot (rather than 3" Magnum shells). It is worth the search.

What do you guys and gals use to haul around ammunition?
-I've seen the bandoliers around the shoulders and around the waist, but I'm looking for something to hook into my MOLLE vest. Not sure if it would be a good idea, but what about using a magdrop bag to have a pile of shells loose in? I've seen some MOLLE pouches for shells but I'm not sure if they're worth it...
Click to expand...

Here you go:

index.php

IPSC German Regional Director Fritz Gepperth
http://ipsc.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=4174&hl=european+shotgun+championship+greece

That's the "sporting" image we want to portray in IPSC and that, too, is worth it. ;)
 
I've noticed that Canadian Tire sells 100 12G shells for 25 dollars or something like that... is this stuff okay to practise with?
 
youonlywish said:
I've noticed that Canadian Tire sells 100 12G shells for 25 dollars or something like that... is this stuff okay to practise with?
Click to expand...

That is light, target-loaded 2 3/4" birdshot, mostly. Recoil from that is fine.

It is useful for shooting clay targets and some steel targets.

Paper? Not so much. (You'd soon run out of patches.)
 
Thanks for the replies.

Another question:

I learned that it is SAFEST to store a firearm safe ON, action OPEN.

Does this cause any undue harm to the inner workings of a 870?

By using Snap Caps - I can close the action and store safe ON. I also learned to keep my finger off the trigger until I was on target - if it's NOT okay to store a firearm with the action open... I put a Snap Cap in there and close the action... Pull the trigger?

Honest question - not looking for a war here.
 
youonlywish said:
Thanks for the replies.

Another question:

I learned that it is SAFEST to store a firearm safe ON, action OPEN.

Does this cause any undue harm to the inner workings of a 870?

By using Snap Caps - I can close the action and store safe ON. I also learned to keep my finger off the trigger until I was on target - if it's NOT okay to store a firearm with the action open... I put a Snap Cap in there and close the action... Pull the trigger?

Honest question - not looking for a war here.
Click to expand...

Action open? Action closed? Hammer cocked? Springs eased? Entirely your choice. No one is going to flame you for doing whatever floats your boat. You can't hurt anything. However, the Army approach is to take the release the pressure on the hammer spring by dryfiring.

I would not store Snap Caps in the chamber. There is a risk of moisture gathering between the surfaces. I always store my rifles muzzle down, and lately have taken to catching an oily patch between the bolt and the breech. I'm surprised how much copper corrosion gets lifted off the bolt face.
 
youonlywish said:
Thanks for the replies.

Another question:

I learned that it is SAFEST to store a firearm safe ON, action OPEN.

Does this cause any undue harm to the inner workings of a 870?

By using Snap Caps - I can close the action and store safe ON. I also learned to keep my finger off the trigger until I was on target - if it's NOT okay to store a firearm with the action open... I put a Snap Cap in there and close the action... Pull the trigger?

Honest question - not looking for a war here.
Click to expand...

How safe do you need it to be? Any of the above is fine and if it is not loaded, safety is no issue. Personally, I close the action and dry fire to let off the spring tension. Dryfiring a modern centerfire will cause you no issues, especially as infrequently as just when you store the gun.

maple_leaf_eh is correct, corrosion is a much bigger enemy to your guns than leaving it open/closed or cocked/uncocked. It's almost as dangerous as Liberals.:D

Mark
 
Close the action, and pull the trigger.

youonlywish said:
I learned that it is SAFEST to store a firearm safe ON, action OPEN.

Does this cause any undue harm to the inner workings of a 870?

By using Snap Caps - I can close the action and store safe ON. I also learned to keep my finger off the trigger until I was on target - if it's NOT okay to store a firearm with the action open... I put a Snap Cap in there and close the action... Pull the trigger?

Honest question - not looking for a war here.
Click to expand...

I used to think that it didn't matter - that either way would be fine.

Storing it with the action open may be harmless, or (as I found) you may find that storing the action open (over the long term) has resulted in the shell latch failing you - and your learning this only at a moment when you really need it to work.

Store your shotgun with the action closed. Dry fire your 870, if you want to. That won't hurt anything.
 
youonlywish said:
I'll use this thread to group my questions instead of putting a whole bunch of new threads up.

Let me preface this by saying that anything I ask is a direct result of my not finding what I need on my own - I'm not asking to be spoonfed, but not looking to troll either.

So - I bought an 870 Express. I bought it because that's what I want - I know there are a PILE of different options but hey, I've got time to collect!

I want to get 'used' to the gun - what type of shot should I be looking to pick up first, to shoot paper?

What do you guys and gals use to haul around ammunition?
-I've seen the bandoliers around the shoulders and around the waist, but I'm looking for something to hook into my MOLLE vest. Not sure if it would be a good idea, but what about using a magdrop bag to have a pile of shells loose in? I've seen some MOLLE pouches for shells but I'm not sure if they're worth it...
Click to expand...
carry as much ammo with your shotgun as you can
shell holders for the shotgun can be had in many ways

some items we offer for the shotgun are posted hear.
Cali comp works belt shotshell holder $35
side saddle gos on the frame $35 to 65
buttstock shell holders $25-$35
have a look hear for an idea.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452035
 
So... Anytime I pick the firearm up, I prove it safe.

In doing so, it primes the trigger for firing.

Is it okay to store the firearm like this, with the trigger ready to fire, or should I dry fire it before it goes back in the safe?

It's my new baaaaby!
 
You only need to partially open the action to prove a gun safe so if your gun had been dry fired before storing and you only half open it, look for a shell in the chamber and close it it won't be cocked.
I dry fire all my guns, except my TC Encore, all the time and have never had an issue. That said I did just pick up some snap caps in a couple of my favorite calibers for real cheap (free) so I will probably start using them when I practice. Dry firing is some of the best practice you can do IMHO.
Kim
 
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