Remington Versa max, problems/strengths?

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cal9mm

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I am a pistol and rifle dude. I am not a shotgun dude, I've used an 870 forever without fail so.....

My questions are, What are the problems you've experienced with the Versa-Max? What are the weak points of this shotgun? The name Remington, is an opinion, not an experienced fault or weak point.

On the flip side, what do you like about it? What are the shotguns strengths you perceive or have experienced?

I have two annoyances that I know of so for; the loading gate is annoying and I don't like the barrel retention method.

What I like is: it ate EVERYTHING reliably that I fed it so far, from ####ty #8 bulk pack to my 3/3.5 goose loads. Chrome lined barrel with high vis sight and screw in choke is nice. Ergonomics are adjustable and great.

P.S. Please reframe from comparing the versa max to: benelli, franchi, winchester, mossberg, browning, stoeger, keltec, uts, hatsan, (insert other shotgun manufacture here), the purpose of this thread is to talk about the versa max and an in depth and unbiased conversation going, I did a search and there's a couple review threads I found but nothing of possible defects people have had or potentially will have or what they like about it. And from what I can tell no serious discussion threads on the versa max, unless I missed it.

So without further a due, GO!

EDIT: couldn't find anything in the rules or hot linking policy. So i'll put this little gem here for future reference so anyone looking for info with search can easily find, if it's against any rule I couldn't find let me know and I'll remove it.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=244957&sid=62e33b185f1944346a45a489beaca61b
 
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I think there is a lot of info from people that own the versa max on shotgun world forum. It has been discussed on there from before it became available to the public up until now.
 
gunsaholic said:
I think there is a lot of info from people that own the versa max on shotgun world forum. It has been discussed on there from before it became available to the public up until now.
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A few of people I know have expressed interest in this shotgun, so I figured bring it here to CGN for future reference. From people here with first hand knowledge about it.
 
As Gunsaholic said, Shotgunworld has a ton of information. Go to the "I love my Remington" forum and look for a thread titled simply "Versa Max" by a fellow calls himself TuJays. Currently thread is 130 pages long, so be prepared for a long read.
 
cal, that's not true. I have seen one do that but it was malfunctioning. A properly functioning VM will let you load in battery while cocked.
 
adamg said:
cal, that's not true. I have seen one do that but it was malfunctioning. A properly functioning VM will let you load in battery while cocked.
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Interesting...... I'll find out what's going on and report back, either I'm still on VM training wheels here or I have a burr somewhere in my action that I need to polish off......

I found the shotgunworld thread, can I hot link the forum and thread here for ease of finding for future CGNers to find?
 
I had one of the first runs they put out and it was totally garbage. Front bead fell out within a box of shells. Couldn't hit any clays so I patterned it and it was 8 inches low. Liked to jam at about half cycle if I didn't load or unload it like I was mad at it. The gas system though worked quite nicely, recoil was manageable using all kinds of shells... took it back and bought an Benelli M2 for another $400.. never looked back.

edit: Almost forgot to mention that the fore-grip wobbled like crazy no matter how tight it got.
 
If you couldn't load the magazine while the gun was hot it would be completely useless for multigun, and it is popular gun there. In fact how could you load the magazine at all? Because it definitely locks the lifter when in battery and uncocked (i.e. fire on an empty chamber) and while the bolt is held back.
If you find it is doing what you say, lifter locked while cocked in battery, press the bolt release, that disengage the lifter lock.
 
adamg said:
Because it definitely locks the lifter when in battery and uncocked (i.e. fire on an empty chamber) and while the bolt is held back.
If you find it is doing what you say, lifter locked while cocked in battery, press the bolt release, that disengage the lifter lock.
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This is what I meant. Is it designed this way? Is this a strength or a flaw? I have been hitting the action bar to operate the shell carrier. Or slapping a new shell in the side and releasing the bolt to unlock the carrier. Is this the method to load this gun? Or rack the action, to load the magazine tube and rack the action a second time to ready the shotgun? That seems like a lot of movement to operate the shotgun.
 
cal9mm said:
This is what I meant. Is it designed this way? Is this a strength or a flaw? I have been hitting the action bar to operate the shell carrier. Or slapping a new shell in the side and releasing the bolt to unlock the carrier. Is this the method to load this gun? Or rack the action, to load the magazine tube and rack the action a second time to ready the shotgun? That seems like a lot of movement to operate the shotgun.
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You put the first shell in the ejection port, close the action, then fill up the tube. As you say, when the gun ran dry you wouldn't hit the button to close the chamber, then load the tube, then hit the tube release button, then work the action. The only reason i could see to load the tube before the chamber would be if you don't like to carry your gun chambered when hunting or something.
 
I love the idea of the Versa Max, instead I have ordered an 870 Waterfowl Super Mag. In the end a pump is going to be more reliable in the conditions and for less then half the price.
 
I have shot waterfowl for four seasons now, with a Versa. Best thing Remington has made in years. Eat anything you feed it right down to 1oz target loads. I have had zero issues with this gun. the camo on mine was not the most durable. Wearing off on high spots and corners. All and all great gun. I would buy another. If your versa max will not load with bolt forward,it is broken. mine loads fine
 
I read some of that thread in SGW and see nothing but praise for the VersaMax.
I own a few Rem 1100's so don't see the need to upgrade to it for just the odd informal trap and grouse shooting.
I would consider it though for waterfowl and turkey.
 
I own the tactical version, the only thing you NEED to change is the lifter gate. The recoil is non-existent on this shotgun. It is amazingly reliable, never had a stoppage with it in over 500 shells. It shoots everything although I haven't tried 3 1/2 yet. Also the trigger is a bit stiff. I wish there was an after market trigger group.
 
So, good news and bad news.

Goods news, gun's not broken, still not used to semi auto shotguns but it's not broken (i had great 870 expectations, it's so much more) which leads me to my bad news.....

Bad news, my wallet is lighter, I've shot significantly more shells through it, with zero issues (and zero cleaning)....... and the carrier STILL sucks.

I've found my new duck (and goose) gun. Prolly won't replace my 870 for competition though.
 
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