So Gunner410 and I took it out to the range at -16C and ran some ammo through it this afternoon. Some initial observations based on our experience (so no snotty comments from the member deriding lack of quantitative data and limited shooting in cold weather with these shotguns in the other shotgun forum)
- fed a variety of buckshot, slugs, and 50+ year old lead duck shells (that belonged to my late father) in 2 3/4 and 3 inch lengths . No failure to feeds and no failure to fire.
- no issues with barrel indexing and only comment was the bead was hard to see in the shaded area we were shooting. If I was to spend money on the shotgun, i would put a hi viz bead on the barrel .
- operator error caused each of us an issue. Twice, I ejected fired shells but failed to put one in the chamber. Twice Gunner410 pumped a shell into the chamber but did not have the bolt lock resulting in the firearm not discharging. I wasn't pumping it hard enough open and he wasn't pumping it hard enough closed. Once we figured that out we didnt have any further issues.
- others have commented that putting 870 forestock furniture on these shotguns is hard to do as the forend tube is a larger diameter on the Blueline than on the 870. The magazine tube on the Blueline is also a larger diameter than the 870. I tried to put a 870 forend tube and forend with a light and it would not slide over the magazine tube.
- while disassembling the shotgun and cleaning off all the heavy oil on it, i found a patch of rust on the front of the receiver under where the barrel sits. Not a big deal, but something to watch.
All in all, I will have no hesitation to use the shotgun to protect my property from nuisance bears with slugs or buckshot. I patterned some #4 buckshot and BBs at 20 yards and I would definitely use it for close range coyotes (after I installed a plug limiting the magazine to 2 rounds).