Winchester SXP Black Shadow

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jkipp

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Hey there,

Does anybody have any experience with the Winchester SXP Black Shadow? It looks like a great gun for a good price but I'd like to get some user input. I mostly plan on using it for skeet and trap to start out but I may get into waterfowl in the future. Let me know what you think/your experiences.

Thanks in advance,
jkipp
 
I sell them but have not shot one so all I can give you is "impressions compared to..."

They are machined a lot better than the Rem 870's and the Mossberg 500's.

When you assemble them out of the box you don't have to twist, force, push, jam etc to get them to go together. And although one of the selling points of synthetic stocks is they don't warp or twist, Remington has figured a way to "make them" warped and twisted - sometimes it takes "significant pressure" to get things to initially line up.

The action on them is very smooth compared to other shotguns at that price point.

The balance seems decent and (without pulling the trigger on a live shell) they seem to point well.

At that price point the only other shotgun I would consider (with the synthetic stock) would be a Weatherby PA-08 for all the same reasons I would choose the Winchester (over the Rem or Mossy).

I am not a Winchester fan (bad experience with their customer service when they really were Winchester), but if I was looking for a lower cost shotgun, the Win SXP would be number 1 or 2 on the list.

These (as per our Browning rep) are manufactured and assembled in Turkey - the same as the Weatherby shotguns. The higher priced SX3 models come from Belgium.

Last note - I would stay away from the 3 1/2" chambered models. There was (is still?) a recall for these. Some will fire when you cycle a round into the chamber. Didn't happen with the 3" models, just the 3 1/2". Don't know for sure if they have it all sorted out, but there was "lots" of these shotguns shipped. I wouldn't want to buy a brand new shotgun and then have to ship it off for repairs before I ever pulled the trigger on it. Until I hear that "everything in the supply chain" is sound, I have not/will not bring in any of the 3 1/2" models for sale.
 
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Bought one for my brother two years ago for Christmas, he loves it, used exclusively for hunting, so I can't comment on the shooting sports, but I have used it in the duck blind and its a sweet gun, swings nice and it is super fast to pump, I also think it is better built than the Mossy or the 870 express and better looking. IMHO, it's a good shotgun for a good price
 
I have the 28" field model which I have only used for trap and skeet so far. While I think the black shadow looks better, the field felt more solid to the touch. As above, it feels better built with a smooth action then the moss and rem. My criteria for this purchase was inexpensive and versatile as it is my first shotgun and I was not sure if I was going to be into it or not. Well. I love it and would buy another field for hunting but would go for a a trap model or OU for clays. One thing that I didn't like is no sling mounts. It has been perfect for me with about 500 through it. The only thing that has caught me a couple of tume s was the inertia assisten action. Operator error in that I have shot cycled it a couple of times before I got the hang of in for doubles. It does have a heavy trigger but it does not bother me. Verry happy with it overall.
 
Ive had mine for about 2.5 years now. Only used it for blasting clays so far. Its a good shotgun, not picky about ammo, runs really smooth compared to my beater rem870 express, has a way better finish and is lighter too. The felt recoil is much, much lighter according to my5'4", 120lb wife. That being said, I still prefer my crappy rem870. "Feels" better to shoot for some reason...
 
jkipp said:
I mostly plan on using it for skeet and trap to start out but I may get into waterfowl in the future. Let me know what you think/your experiences.
Click to expand...

I've not shot one but handled more than a few, I'd like to have the Trap model just for the hell of it, but the biggest drawback I've found is the horrible trigger. Way too much creep along with too much trigger pull.
 
I got a Waterfowler and the camo finish peeled where the mag tube meets the receiver. Sent it back on warranty, got it back MONTHS later after many unanswered emails, very unpleasant experience. Opened the new one the day it arrived and inspected it, the camo was already peeling. Sent more emails that never got a reply. In the end I said screw it and kept it as is. Had I sent it back it likely would have been over a year of not having the gun.
No more Winchester for me after that. Too bad, the SXP is a nice gun. If I did it over again it would be the Black Shadow model, no camo to peel.
 
I may buy the water fowler tomorrow. I have read about the peeling camo.. That scares me. It may scare me enough to buy another 500 :/ would buy the feild but I abuse my duck guns and the camo hides the scratches,
 
I just picked up the sxp black shadow 3 1/2 with 28" barrel. Feels like a solid gun and shoots nice ! Already tossed a few shells in it. Pretty basic to take apart.
 
I have the wood version mostly as a bush/backup/loaner, but I bring it out every once in a while to mix things up. I have no complaints- the trigger on my gun is pretty good. The quality of the gun is better than expected for the price point in my opinion. The only issue I had is the mod choke tube was out of round- brand new and 0.005" oval! A little squeeze in the vice and it patterns fine. I only noticed because it was tighter than usual to put in and out.

I like the speed pump. It takes getting used to- but it is very fast once you get a bit of practice. I have shot skeet with it and while it wouldn't be my first choice for the doubles it was a lot of fun and fast enough to break-em both.
 
Pretty solid gun. The only flaw I would say about it is after pulling the trigger the gun will pump itself half way . It's supposed to assist you in pumping and chambering another shell faster . Personally I wasn't a big fan but it's all preference .
 
I have a 3" black shadow with 28" barrel. Absolutely love it put about a 1000 rounds thru it so far with no issues. I did manage to launch the firing pin spring into my grass while cleaning outside on the deck. Western gun parts stocks everything you need for these guns.
 
I haven't seen a camo dipped gun that doesn't peel and or chip in spots. The worst I've seen have been the bennelli and stoeger guns.
 
Hunted one season with my waterfowl version, but a couple boxes through. I really liked me it, no issues except the hi vis sight came loose. It was an easy fix.
 
I had bought a Rem 887 nitro mag from cabelas last fall for waterfowl and after 2 hunts i brought it back. The slide would jam after shooting if there was any rearward pressure on the pump. the only way to cycle another round was to press the slide release button. I gave it back and for about $20 more i got the black shadow. I've only put a few rounds through it but i can already tell that its a way better gun than the 887.
 
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