Your Favorite Tactical Shotty?

Siggy Stardust

Siggy Stardust

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Hey Folks,

Been kicking around the idea of getting a tactical shotgun for a while and have been nearly overwhelmed with all the choices in make and configurations out there today. I'm to the point that I've been around the block and right back to the start, not even knowing where to begin. I don't want to turn this into a "mine is awesome and everything else in junk" thread, but I'm more interested in what you have, what you like and maybe don't like about it, reliability, any issues you've had, parts availability, etc.

I know Benelli seems to be top drawer in this arena, but I just can't seem to justify $2200 for a gun I'll only use a few times a year at the range and 3-gun competitions. That being said, I'm looking to keep towards the more major brands - the 870s, Mossbergs, Hatsans, SXPs, etc.

C'monn and help a brother out! I know there's a lot of other folks out there like me as well.


MAKE:

PROS:

CONS:

COMMENTS:
 
I like to stick with the brands that are well known and have good parts availability. Mossberg 590A1 and Remington 870 are my top choices. Can't go wrong with either. If you want something different, there's the Benelli Supernova which is also a great choice. Those are the pump-action models. For an auto loader I'd just shut my eyes, grit my teeth and spend the money for an M4.
 
Mossberg 590. High capacity, double extractor, safety on the right place, easy to clean, reliable and lots of aftermarket parts.

 
I am really liking my Fabarm and using it more than the rest right now.

While the Mossberg 590a1 is nice, I really don't like it's forward heft.

Remington (and mossberg for that matter) has iffy QC. You may get a good one, may get a poor one. Mossberg warranty sucks in Canada (I know from experience..)
 
I like my Maverick 88.
Mostly cause I'm a cheap prick, and my shotgun (shotty is too 80's), is a bush tool.
18", pistol gripped full stock, 5 in the tube, all I need.
It's seen the bottom of two rivers, been thrown across a ravine a couple times, banged, bruised, and abused. It always goes bang.
 
Get a VersaMax, especially if you're going to use it for 3 gun.

Mine shoots everything I put in it, it's got good capacity being a 3.5" receiver, the interchangeable chokes are great, and it's super easy to ghost load.
 
If any guns suffer from poor QC of late, it's the Rem 870's. Heard lots of complaints at a 3-gun match. Didn't hear any about the Mossbergs.

I must have gotten a good one. Can't see what could go wrong - so far. The "M&M" (Mossberg/Magpul) combo seems to be a winner. Now I'm looking for a receiver mounted shell holder that won't hinder my lefty wife.
 
You can't compare the Benelli M4 with a 870. More comparable would be a Benelli Nova to a 870, which are priced about the same. I have a Benelli Nova and love it.


Siggy Stardust said:
Hey Folks,

Been kicking around the idea of getting a tactical shotgun for a while and have been nearly overwhelmed with all the choices in make and configurations out there today. I'm to the point that I've been around the block and right back to the start, not even knowing where to begin. I don't want to turn this into a "mine is awesome and everything else in junk" thread, but I'm more interested in what you have, what you like and maybe don't like about it, reliability, any issues you've had, parts availability, etc.

I know Benelli seems to be top drawer in this arena, but I just can't seem to justify $2200 for a gun I'll only use a few times a year at the range and 3-gun competitions. That being said, I'm looking to keep towards the more major brands - the 870s, Mossbergs, Hatsans, SXPs, etc.

C'monn and help a brother out! I know there's a lot of other folks out there like me as well.


MAKE:

PROS:

CONS:

COMMENTS:
Click to expand...
 
Make: Mossberg 590A1 (Blackwater 20" and Standard 18.5")/ 500 tactical (Standard)18.5"

Pros:
-Reliable! They work. Period.
-Relatively lightweight, depending on how much junk you have on it. Guilty.
-Durable, you should try throwing a 590 off your house sometime.
-Ergonomics, great spot for a bolt release (right under your index finger on your right hand), love the thumb safety (unless you have a pistol grip stock, you have to put your thumb around and over the stock to toggle it)
-More accessories than the pink-sandy-beach-playhouse set. Suck it Barbie.
-10 year warranty
-Larger capacity than most other pumps (5+1 or 8+1)
-Inexpensive
-Low (no) maintenance

Cons:
-I found it kinda tricky to field strip it at first, but it wasn't too bad.
-Awkward safety position with pistol grip type stocks, but I like rifle stocks anyway.

Comments: My favourite tactical shotguns are the ugly ol' Mossbergs, and I can say it with pride. I don't get off by using a gun for it's name or prestige. They just work for me, and there is nothing I would change about them. My Blackwater is the bee's knees, awesome sights too.





Make: Remington 870 Tactical (Blackhawk gen1)

Pros:
-Reliable, at least when using decent shells
-Built solid and durable, steel receiver
-Easiest shotgun to fieldstrip that I have worked on.
-lots of aftermarket accessories
-Decent position of the safety and bolt release, especially on pistol grip stocks.

Cons:
-I find myself fighting rust often on the receiver and bead sight
-Jams occasionally with cheap aluminum base shells
-Too pricey for my cheap @$$, at least for this model. I got a good deal though.

Comments: Love this shotgun, fast to operate and feels like a shotgun should. I've get hard-extracts sometimes on cheap shells, but not really a problem just gotta slam 'er.
 
Benelli M4 Super 90 with solid pistol grip stock (non collapsing)
Mossberg M590A1 with Ghost ring sights and Speedfeed stock (14" or 20")
Wilson Combat 870 with comp 14" bbl and Surefire dedicated forend
 
I've got a Mossy 500, and it's more accessories than shotgun at this point, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Pro's:
-Lot's of goodies
-good sights
-good capacity
-cleaning is fast and easy
-ergonomics are intuitive and as they should be on a shotgun
-all told price isn't too bad ($500 for a JIC, which is what I got)

Con's:
-Had an issue with the feed stop arm letting shells in, but a pair of pliers and a vicegrip solved that
-When I tried to get a hold of Mossberg for help I received an email three weeks late, and it was just a standard 'thanks for contacting Mossberg' email.

I have a DA Grizzly, and before everyone jumps on me, here out my own personal pro's and con's.

Pro's:
-Price
-Interchangable (mostly) with 870 barrels and parts
-Mag fed option is awesome, for me at least
-KISS reliability
-Mine has ghost ring sights, which is something I like in a shotty
-Changing ammo types is as easy as changing mags

Con's:
-Depending on the mag, can have feed issues (obviously for mag fed varient)
-It's a Chinese knock-off of the 870, but then again, the 870 QC has dropped in recent years, from what I've heard
-Some tinkering required for some 870 bits, possibly

Last but certainly not least, the Kel Tec KSG. If this isn't a tactical shotgun than it's a very expensive paperweight.

Pro's:
-14 + 1 capacity, plus you can have two seperate ammo types in two different tubes
-OAL is awesome, it is after all a bull-pup shotgun
-Ejects shells straight down, which is a nice ambidextrous feature
-Small slits in either tube for quick check to see if you have at least one shell left
-Take down and cleaning is simple and orderly, only two take down pins

Con's:
-I've heard Gen 1's are bad, but mine's a Gen 2 and it's awesome.
-Reloading can be awkward
-Switching between tubes needs to be done manually, so if you run out on a tube and you weren't counting shells you won't have anything in the chamber
-Can't press check easily to see if something is in the chamber
-If you live anywhere cold an aftermarket kydex cheek rest is a must, unless you like frost bite.
-Not much for aftermarket accessories

That's my speal. Hope it helps.
 
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