Recommendations for short barreled pump action...

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Iron Sighted

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Hey guys, I'm a complete shotgun noob, and as the thread title implies, I'm wanting to purchase a short barreled(I'm thinking in the 12-14" range) pump action shotgun. I'm planning to use it for bear/cougar defense when out hiking and also just to have have fun blasting with it.

The 12.5" Dominion Arms Grizzly offered by CanAm has kind of caught my eye, and the $300 price tag makes it even more appealing. That said I know nothing about shotguns and have no idea how well it would serve my purposes. If anyone that owns one could give me their impressions that would be a great help.

I'd also be grateful to hear any other opinions on other shotguns I could be looking at that would meet my needs, I'm really just wanting a compact shotgun with a shoulder stock that has passable accuracy(I'm thinking the 8.5" D.A. Grizz is maybe a bit too short for my liking but I'd still consider it if enough people recommended it). Thanks in advance for any replies.
 
Norinco HP9-1 12ga with 14" Barrel
http://www.theammosource.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_5_98&products_id=374

NorincoHP9CS50014inch12ga.jpg
 
The only probs you might have with the 8.5 over the others, are capacity (2+1) or if you aren't careful, your off-hand fingers are awfully close to the muzzle. I put a Knoxx Spec-Ops recoil reducing stock on mine, which I still have yet to test fire, also a flashlight/"Laser" combo. With the Knoxx shortened to it's shortest setting, you're still right at 27 inches, so lots of breathing room with the OAL. Other than a longer barrel with a pistol grip, I can't see much that'll keep you over 26, but be shorter and pack easier than this.
 
Remington 870 Police. Made to a higher standard than the other 870 models, and that includes the "tactical" which is a souped up Express. I won't trust anything else if the reason for having one is protection from 2 or 4 legged predators. The average price will not necessarily make you happy compared with the price of a Chicom as you stated but it is what it is. Check the EE here. They come up from time to time, more commonly in the 18" barrel size though.
 
ADK said:
Remington 870 Police. Made to a higher standard than the other 870 models, and that includes the "tactical" which is a souped up Express. I won't trust anything else if the reason for having one is protection from 2 or 4 legged predators. The average price will not necessarily make you happy compared with the price of a Chicom as you stated but it is what it is. Check the EE here. They come up from time to time, more commonly in the 18" barrel size though.
Click to expand...

You just missed this one: WTS NIB Remington 870 Police Magnum w/ factory 14" bbl *SOLD*

This is still listed: WTS Remington 870 police
 
LOL I was going to add in my post that I thought those two were still kicking around, great prices in my opinion. I don't care for the 18" barrel, but with a SF forend that makes up for it. I scored the better deal about 3 weeks ago on the EE. Police model with 14" factory barrel!
 
curtmg said:
The only probs you might have with the 8.5 over the others, are capacity (2+1) or if you aren't careful, your off-hand fingers are awfully close to the muzzle. I put a Knoxx Spec-Ops recoil reducing stock on mine, which I still have yet to test fire, also a flashlight/"Laser" combo. With the Knoxx shortened to it's shortest setting, you're still right at 27 inches, so lots of breathing room with the OAL. Other than a longer barrel with a pistol grip, I can't see much that'll keep you over 26, but be shorter and pack easier than this.
Click to expand...

You're right, there is nothing near as short and packable as the 8.5" Grizzly that I have seen, and I definitely don't want a pistol gripped shotgun. How far is the 8.5" accurate out to when shooting slugs? I thought I recently saw a thread where people were reporting their 8.5" Grizzlies were shooting high with slugs?

As to the 870 Police models on the EE, the 14" one would've interested me, but the other one is much longer than I'd like, I think(probably both more than I'd want to spend too, though that 14" one looked damned nice).

Thanks for the replies so far guys.
 
The nice thing about the HP9-1 is that it's replaceable, so you won't mind using it.
 
I find my grizzly on par with my 870 express. Plastic trigger group on the express and metal on the grizzly. Haven't weight the stock difference but the grizzly one feels a fair bit heavier than the express. Both guns are smoother after firing a couple 100 rounds, whereas a wingmaster or police would probably be nicer out of the box.

For the price you can't go wrong with a 12.5 grizzly.
 
I have a 12" Grizzly. So far so good.

I have put 100's of rounds through it with very few problems. It eats everything except the cheapo Walmart Winchester ammo.

We took it to the Lone Butte range one day and shot 'trap' with the perma-mounted machine they have there. Blew away a complete box of birds with no problems.

I live in serious bear country and I bought this in hope of it making a decent walking around/camping/RV'ing piece. To that end I have put a lot of slugs through it. Very accurate out past 25m or so. Zero issues with slugs. However I did double up on the buttpad for range work - in actual use the recoil won't be noticeable anyhow.

I now seldom leave home without it :) I can put it in my closet in the RV or throw it on the floor in the backseat ot the truck and it is good to go.

As always YMMV ;)

John
 
I'm not new to shotguns, but AM new to short-barreled ones. I just got a (gently used) Grizzly 12.5" myself, with ghost ring sights and Knox RR stock. First impression was the weight~heavy. Not unbearable, but heavy for it's size. To be completely honest, the more robust construction is some piece of mind for me as I've never owned/trusted a Chinese-built gun of any kind before this. I have 50 rounds of light target loads through it already, mostly blowing-up apples ( :D ) thrown like clay pigeons and have to say, I really like it so far. Also had it WAY up north on a fishing trip last month with slugs at the ready, but fortunately, no bears that posed any threat. Happy to say I didn't need to shoot it up there.

I have only a couple of criticisms of it to date, but they're minor compared to the value you get from a gun like this.

1. Finish, or lack of. It's no safe queen, it's a shooter...even if there is some drizzle outside. First time out, I put it in the case wet for the drive home and the wipe-down at home revealed that the finish is very thin/worn...possibly missing in a few spots. A good cleaning, wipe with oil, and it hasn't happened since~water beads/runs-off. Normal care otherwise.

2. Sharp edges on bottom of receiver. Again, not a big concern, but like a few other spots on the gun, there is some evidence that these are econo-shotguns.


At the time I was considering this gun, LeBaron had a no tax event on and had their 870 Police on for $399. I was THIS close to getting it instead of the Grizzly, but thought I'd be more likely to carry a 12.5" barreled gun in the bush than the full-sized Remington. Glad I made the decision, but I think that 18" gun still weighs less than the Griz.

Short story long~I'd suggest a 12.5" Grizzly with interchangeable chokes. Great out of the box, and you can use 870 barrels on it down the road if you want. (can't do that with the 8.5" Grizzly)

Good luck with the decision-making process,
Rob
 
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