What about the clones?

zebra26

zebra26

Regular
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Quebec
I have a lot of shotguns but I don't have a 12ga shorty. So Im looking at clones.
There is a budget issue of course. There is always a maverick brand.
Any pump action clones worth a look out there.
I m familiar with both winchester and remington action. I do like the safety location on the mossbergs.
 
Depends on your definition of shorty. Mossberg makes a 14” barrel version which can be had for a decent price on the EE. Shorter than that, you would have to go with a Chinese clone of a Remy 870 if you’re on a budget. I’ve had many and enjoyed them all. Lots of Turkish shorties out there, but I don’t have any experience with them.
 
I’m pretty sure most of the Turkish pump actions are a loose copy of the Fabarm pattern.
They are not well manufactured. I have a 14” Canuck one and I would not rely on it for long term use.
There is an Ithaca 37 copy made in Turkey in the trench gun pattern and of course the Winchester SXP which is based on their 1300. They are considered to be of somewhat better quality than the Fabarm clone ones.
The Chinese 870 clones like Norinco HP9, Blueline or the newer Ternion models are pretty good. I have over 1000 rounds through my 14” HP9 and it has been great.
If you want a 14” or shorter I’d recommend getting a Norinco or Dominion 870 clone off the EE. They aren’t manufactured at the moment so it would have to be used.
I wouldn’t trust the 14” Turkish guns.
The new 870 Tac14s are also not terribly expensive.
Even a Mossberg Shockwave can be found for only 500$ if you shop around or get a used one.
One issue with the Mossberg is that the stock bead sight will shoot quite high. There are sighting options that will fix that.
 
Butcherbill said:
The only real clone pump gun worth owning is a DA Grizzly, there’s one or two on the ee currently. They are a true clone of the 870, parts interchange is 100% from my experience.
Click to expand...

I had the detachable magazine Dominion Arms Grizzly and was not happy with how it fed from the magazines. Some brands of ammo would feed fine and others would not. Otherwise it was very solid. The tube fed version would probably be really good since it can be tweaked and tuned like any 870.
 
rifleman762 said:
I had the detachable magazine Dominion Arms Grizzly and was not happy with how it fed from the magazines. Some brands of ammo would feed fine and others would not. Otherwise it was very solid. The tube fed version would probably be really good since it can be tweaked and tuned like any 870.
Click to expand...

Have both and the tube fed is pretty much identical to a reg 870, there’s little differences though. Things out of spec, like the forend tube/action bars. The Grizzly is a c/hair bigger of an od, you can run into problems trying to get a 870 forend to slide on. Some sanding/filing of the inside of the forend fixes the problem, not all 870 forends need opening up. The stock set they come with is a boat anchor and should be turfed asap, getting rid of it immediately lightens up the gun by a pound or more.

The mags on the mag fed version are its Achilles heel, I’ve got mine running 100% with any 2 3/4” shell but 3” I’d say feed 75-80% now. The mags aren’t big enough to allow most 3” shells to exit the mag, they hit the front of the mag and stop dead. They aren’t long enough from front to back, doesn’t help that shotgun shells are not a standard length when crimped. I’ve worked mine over pretty heavily and feeds and cycles great but you need to be good at fine tuning/polishing/home gunsmithing, the tube fed version is the way to go.
 
You’ll see how little room there is with the 3” shells, I’ve thought about removing metal from the front opening so shells can clear easier but I don’t shoot 3” much if ever. I recall 3” shells hanging up on the lip/edge of the barrel/chamber opening as well, I’ve blended and polished that so things have a better path into the chamber, 2 3/4” are 100% when feeding.

The other improvement you can do to metal mags is to debur and polish the follower and feed lips, dimple the nose of the follower so the shell angle is higher allowing it to enter the chamber easier. Polishing the chamber mouth to a mirror finish helps positive feeding as well.

4VFDjh1.jpg

MpROBkZ.jpg

wAqALut.jpg

gtnDqLu.jpg

5WVlJLi.jpg
 
zebra26 said:
I have a lot of shotguns but I don't have a 12ga shorty. So Im looking at clones.
There is a budget issue of course. There is always a maverick brand.
Any pump action clones worth a look out there.
I m familiar with both winchester and remington action. I do like the safety location on the mossbergs.
Click to expand...

There are a couple 870's with short barrel in the EE right now, sub 600.00 that might suit your budget.
No need to post your limit if I am off base.
Regards,
Rob
 
In my experienve mag fed shotguns are problematic, a mag tube feed shotgun is always the way to go. Not to say they don't work just much more of a range toy.
 
I have a tube fed 12 1/2 inch Grizzly, with ghost rings and threaded for chokes. I replaced the slide with an 870 one and it works perfectly. Great little shotgun for not a lot of cash, they seem to be selling for close to their original price. Mine won't accept a Remington barrel without some work on the barrel, but since it's already at minimum length, it isn't an issue for me. It currently has an SGA stock and a Streamlight TL on it. I've never had any issues with feeding, firing or ejecting, so it's all good.
 
Last edited:
Mioryder said:
In my experienve mag fed shotguns are problematic, a mag tube feed shotgun is always the way to go. Not to say they don't work just much more of a range toy.
Click to expand...

Before I tuned and polished my mag fed grizzly, I’d fully agree it was just a range toy. After I worked it over it’s a different gun, I hunt with it and would trust it in any situation. That said it’s not ideal to hike around with, it’s heavier and the mag gets in the way while it’s slung over you’re shoulder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom