Short barrel options - opinions please!

Corrine

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Hey all, I'm in the market for a short barrel pump action, and have narrowed it down, based on my price range...Looking for some input and opinions as I've never owned one (fired a friend's Mossberg though and it was very nice, and so fun).

-First choice is Fabarm sdass 14", but those seem to be harder to come by...only seen 2 used ones come up at my local shop (missed both sadly, they went fast) and that was a year ago now.
-Second choice is Mossberg 590 shockwave 14"
-And last on my shortlist is the Akkar churchill 12", mostly for the price! Seems like a decent one for a budget.

The churchills and mossbergs are currently easier to get. Fabarm sdass, haven't come across any lately, but worth it to keep waiting for one? I'm not really in a hurry... Anyone have experience with all or some of these?

Also let me know if there's any less expensive options I may have overlooked that you'd consider a better choice. 😊

Thanks!
 
Seeing as these are your three choices, I'll only address these three guns. (that said, I wouldn't rule out an 870)

If you go with the Mossberg, you will have zero regrets. It is a proven gun, highly reliable and heavily supported with aftermarket parts and accessories. And keep in mind, if you go with the Shockwave, you’ll most likely want to add a stock at some point. I suggest the Magpul SGA.

The Fabarm is a nice, but fairly expensive, gun that has very little for aftermarket support. Hell, it hard to get Fabarm brand parts and accessories most of the time.

The Churchill is cheap. So if you are on a budget, get it. I have a fairly strong bias against Turkish shotguns these days, so I’ll just leave it at that.
 
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I bought a 18.5 breached barrl/28" ported combo mossberg 500 a few years ago.

Put a 590 14" kit on it and it's been the most fun shotgun I've ever shot..

Reliable. Sturdy. Proven name.

IMHO get a mossberg or 870

Especially now with all these shockwaves and tac-14's entering canada.

Enjoy your short pump. Get some rounds through it and learn where she patterns...

I really wanted an XS big dot tritium sight to raise up the POI to match POA. It's been sitting in the safe for 6 months ahahhaha. Maybe I should mount that now with all this spare time and pattern the gun...
 
You won’t find a smoother well made pump out of the box then the Fabarm, that said the 590 is a tested and solid gun as well. I’d buy a Fabarm first and foremost but that’s personal preference. Look at a 14ā€ barreled 870 before you look at the Churchill.
 
the shockwave would be my choice .krausb has pretty well covered all the points in his remarks and i would agree with him. the 14 inch barreled guns are the sweet spot for short barrel shotguns in my opinion.
 
Another vote for a Mossberg 590 shockwave, now that we can get them again and at a decent price.

And , as been said, magpul SGA stock is a must have upgrade.
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Thanks all for the input, appreciate it! Definitely gives me more to work with in my decision... and some new ones (grizzly 8.5" and 870) to consider as well. :cool:
 
I’ve got a 14ā€ Canuck. I had a full length Mossberg, carried one for work too. If you can afford it, buy a factory Mossberg or an 870. A cheap import is fun, like a one night stand or weekend fling, but it consumes your resources with it giving much back. Going cheap isn’t a good way to start a long term relationship. If you are ā€œpost divorceā€, gun wise, please disregard.
 
590 would be my pick. I use 870s at work, but prefer Mossberg for my own use. Pick up a Magpul SGA (like the top FDE one in Greenhorse Six's photo above) to keep it compact but increase utility over the Shockwave grip.
 
I’ve got a 14ā€ Canuck. I had a full length Mossberg, carried one for work too. If you can afford it, buy a factory Mossberg or an 870. A cheap import is fun, like a one night stand or weekend fling, but it consumes your resources with it giving much back. Going cheap isn’t a good way to start a long term relationship. If you are ā€œpost divorceā€, gun wise, please disregard.

Excellent analogy lol. I was thinking of keeping it cheaper because I'd really just be using it "for fun" but you're very right. Cheap imports off the table now. :) Thanks!
 
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