Shotgun Suggestions

The Sand Man

The Sand Man

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Victoria, BC
So, I've been planning to do some trap, skeet and hiking activities.

I obviously need one shotgun for each....:redface:

For skeet, I'll just start out with a n IZH Russain O/U.....No big deal.

But for trap, I've been wondering what would be a good set-up? Would it be possible to try it with a high capacity pump action shotgun? It would certainly need a screw in choke system. Am I right that those Remington 870 have screw in chokes and high capacity tubes as well?

For hiking, I'd like to bring with me a short barrel shotgun. I'd like one with a pistol grip, but putting a top folding stock would be my other option. I think the Mossberg 500 cruiser with the pistol grip,m6 shot tube and the barrel shroud would be my best bet.

Any opinions and suggestions are highly welcomed. :)

Cheers,
Sand
 
Why is a high capacity tube required for trap shooting :confused:

As well, for hiking, there are a couple options offered from Can Am

This one seems to be liked

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The Sand Man said:
For hiking, I'd like to bring with me a short barrel shotgun. I'd like one with a pistol grip, but putting a top folding stock would be my other option. I think the Mossberg 500 cruiser with the pistol grip,m6 shot tube and the barrel shroud would be my best bet.
Click to expand...

i was initially looking for the same thing (many years ago), and this is the conclusion i came to:

if you want it for hiking then neither a pistol grip nor a folding stock are going to be ideal.
you need a lot of practice with a pistol grip to shoot accurately, and you will still be handicapped compared to a full stock. a folding stock seems like a great compromise - but if you are using it for wildlife protection then the stock needs to be UNFOLDED in advance - in which case if youre going to carry it unfolded anyway then you are better off with a full stocked shotgun.
folding or not you are still limited by minimum OAL - so a short barreled shotgun with a short LOP stock would be just as compact but fully functional. you are not going to have a shotgun under 26" OAL, and an 8.5" shotgun with a short LOP stock is smaller/less bulky than an 18" shotgun with a folding stock - especially when the latter has a mag extension on it and is fully loaded.
not to mention i have yet to see a folding stock that is ideal: every single one of them has issues - whether its slop, durability, cheek weld, painful recoil, obscuring sights/function when folded, etc.

IMHO if you are looking for something as compact as possible (as most people who want PGO or folding stocked shotguns seem to be), then an 8.5" or 12.5" shotgun with a short LOP stock is your best bet. with an 8.5 - depending on the stock you get (or cut down) - you will be between 26-27" in OAL.

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heat shields are a snagfest, and if they loosen up can bind your slide which could cost you your life. for home defense/wildlife defense you do not need a heatshield -- not to mention if you are holding your shotgun barrel you are doing something terribly wrong.

extended mags are a waste: you are not going to get 7-9 shots off at a charging animal, youll be lucky to get two. for a gun that you are going to be carrying on your back for extended periods of time, weight is one of the most important factors. a 10+lb tactical monstrosity will be of no use to you if you left it at home, back at camp, or leaning up against a tree because carrying it was uncomfortable.
 
I've got a 6.5" Dlask, I'll say the same thing as ManBearPig. As short as practical, and put in some time practicing. I've shot from the shoulder, as well as from the lower chest with this shot gun and I really like it with a fixed stock. Not because of recoil, but just for accuracy. no ghost rings yet but I might try a set. As far as the other stuff goes, I have a light on it as well as a folding front grip, that I've pretty much kept folded. Over all it's short, packs well and with an SKT or other holster would work quite well in the bush.
 
Thank you for the replies...:)

The reason I mention the pistol grip Mossberg 500 cruiser is ....well, ....I think this set-up is really cool. :cool:

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I stole these from pittboomer in the shotgun picture thread. Does anybody know what kind of holster that is? Regardless, I'll definitely look into getting a grizzly instead. I suppose I could get the Mossberg at a later date. :D

Cheers,
Sand
 
Does anyone know what kind of MV the 8.5" can muster? Is it still viable with 2 3/4" slugs, or is half the powder charge burned in your face? Thats my only reason for not going this route, I cant find any MV testing with different loads, as well as muzzle flash. My maverick 88 was identical to the M500 of pitboomer's, and I have to say the heatshield was the biggest waste of money. It fit great and looked cool, but still got almost as hot as the barrel. They are a great lightweight little shotgun, but as MBP said, it does handicap accuracy over a full stock. And it does require more practice to get good with, 3" shells are out of the question, and I just think they are a better close quarters home defense weapon.
 
I have used short barrelled shotguns before and found absolutely no advantage to them. Ya, they look kool but in my experience they don`t point well and are difficult to hit with. Most have chokes so open they are useless past 20 or 25 yards. I also find that when you shorten barrels they feel heaver because all of the weight is concentrated along a smaller axis. With regards to folding stocks; I had one, fired it a couple of times and sold it. They are hard on the face when shooting!

I use a 26`` light contour barrelled Remington 1100 for everything; hiking, skeet, Multi-Gun, Trap, Hunting. They work well, are relatively light, can have a mag extension installed (in the US only). There is some credence to the old saying, ``beware of the man with one gun.`` An acquaintance of mine recently picked up a Benelli M2 and I must say it would fill all of the roles you mentioned quite well. I shot a couple of rounds of skeet and took it for a walk hunting and it was sweet; light, low recoil, was a natural pointer and handled beautifully. Good luck with ever you choose.
 
Shotgun choices.

I think you should get something in a pump like the 870 or similar where interchangable barells are reddily available. Now you can use one gun for everything just by changing the barrells. Stay away from a semi auto for self defense unless it is one of the top of the line ones. But then a spare barrell usually costs more than a complete 870. A semi auto with a recoil operated system should be more reliable than a gas opperated one. It doesn't take a lot of shmang to block a gas system and give you a single shot. Price wise, a pump of reputable quality will serve all the functions you mentioned and the sky is the limit for accessories. Also try to get a non pistol grip full length stock. Knox are cool but can get hung up in a scabbard and not that great for trap and skeet, although I have used my Fabarm for all the above just because. There you go.
 
Very cool set up, I almost bought one similar. I opted out on it though because to me it wasn't practical. Where am I going to put my lunch/water? first aid kit? Fire starting gear? Spare jacket/sweater? Flashlight? Hatchet, spare knife? etc. A backpack with rifle/shotgun holder works for me. I like to have some gear that will make a "over nighter" very comfortable if an un planned occasion like this happens.

Mine isnt as cool as this but this is what I would want.
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damnit though every time I look at it I think well I could shove a very simple first aid kit in their, well I could use a zapstrap hang a flash light off the side+a spare water bottle. I could just carry a lighter in my pocket lol...that thing sure is pretty! If it works for you though get it:D
 
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