[lee1974]

Did a ton of research on this forum and many others over the past few weeks regarding this gun. I have searched far and wide over the internet looking for this gun and finally found one at the local gun store. Came home, read the manual cover to cover and broke her down for cleaning and re-lube.

I am now fighting information overload due to all the reading and re-reading of posts. That being said, I could use some help with a few basic questions. Please keep in mind that this gun will be used for home defense, not 3-gun comps, skeet, hunting, etc.

1) Which gas piston should I have installed? The gun comes with both light and heavy gas pistons. I picked up a few boxes of Hornady TAP 00 buck and plan to test those at the range this weekend. Not sure if this qualifies as heavy or light load? But I intend to keep her stacked with premium brand 00 buck to keep the family safe. Would prefer the 2 3/4 variety due to the increased capacity and reduced recoil. Ammo recommendations are appreciated as well.

2) Which choke should I have installed? Gun came with both modified and improved cylinder. Again, for home defense I don't intend on long range shooting and plan to target test at 20 yds with 00 buckshot.

I've owned and respected firearms all my life. Up until recently, I've only owned firearms for hunting. Now that I have a family to protect and the recent rash of burglaries/crime in our area, I've been forced to expand my firearms collection to home defense weapons that include an XD Compact 45 ACP, S&W 38 +P Ladysmith for my wife and now the FN SLP for additional home defense.

Your responses are greatly appreciated.

Lee

[scottishclaymore]

I'm a pump guy myself (I have a beat up Mossberg Maverick that stays under my bed at night and goes with me during the day) so I can't really answer your question regarding the gas piston.

Even with just an open bore (which is what I have on my Mossberg) the spread of 00 Buckshot is only going to be about an inch per yard fired. At HD distances I think the widest choke that you have will probably do the trick.

Mainly I just want to commend you for making a responsible decision to protect your family. God bless you, and stay safe!

[ugaarguy]

The TAP 00 is a heavy load. Most buck shot would be considered a heavy load, unless it's reduced recoil buckshot. The reduced recoil stuff is light as buckshot goes, but nothing like a light birdshot load. If you venture into the RR buckshot, then plan to spend some time shooting a good bit of it with both pistons to see which one does best.

I personally like tight patterning buckshot, and Hornady TAP 9 pellet 00 & Federal Premium 9 pellet 00 have done the best for me in both straight cylinder bore and IC choked guns. If you like spread S&B, Winchester Super-X, and Federal Classic through your IC choke will fit the bill. You may be able to tighten up the patterns of the cheap buckshot with your Mod choke.

Best thing to do is buy a variety of ammo, shoot each load with both chokes, and see what pattern you think is most useful at your chosen distance.

[Fred Fuller]

Welcome to THR, Lee.

Best bet IMHO is to shoot the gun a good bit with a variety of ammo and see what it likes. I prefer to run a new semiauto for a couple hundred rounds for break-in before I put it to work.

Keep in mind, there are two "flavors" of Hornady TAP.

Blue hull = reduced recoil

Red hull = standard velocity

lpl
==========
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/?id=2&sID=36

Hornady® TAP® 12 ga. Buckshot
TAP® 12 ga. Shotgun ammunition lives up to the legendary Hornady name in every way — reliable functioning, consistent performance and tighter patterns without modification to the shotgun, due to patented wad technology Hornady® offers two loads, specially designed for the type of shotgun you use, and the situations you face. Both the "Blue" and the "Red" loadings offer reliable functioning, consistent performance and better patterns than traditional shotgun shells.
========

[9mmepiphany]

i also have an SLP and found the ghost ring sights to be dead on with the #1 buck i was shooting through the IC choke.

i started with the heavy piston, but it wouldn't cycle with anything less than 3" mag loads...might have been the weather too...so i switched to the light piston

check the screws holding the rail on after a couple of hundred rounds

[inSight-NEO]

Would prefer the 2 3/4 variety due to the increased capacity and reduced recoil. Ammo recommendations are appreciated as well.

Ill focus on this one....

Personally, I have been using Federal LE Tactical Low-Recoil 00 buck (9 pellet) for my Benelli SNT. This this load provided amazing groups/patterns out to considerable yardages, all while being being fired through an 18" smoothbore. But, given your weapon config, I cant say as to whether or not low-recoil ammo would suffice. I still believe this is a great round, however. Also, Ive heard good things about Hornady TAP ammo, but have yet to try it myself.

BTW- I noticed an XD within your lineup. How do you like it? I have the XD-45 ACP service within my collection.

[cpirtle]

The SLP is a great shotgun, I just put 100 rounds through mine this weekend.

I would start with the light piston. As 9mmepiphany said, it is really only for the heavy 3" magnum's.

Regardless, if you plan to be as serious about home defense as you say you are, you will know your SLP inside and out by the time you are done function testing it.

IMO Hornady TAP is great stuff but you should be open to a variety of brands so you can pick what works best, then buy about 200 of them to run through the gun. First, you really need to break the gun in and get it running 100%, second you need to be absolutely sure that whatever brand of ammo you pick will function reliably in your particular gun.

[lee1974]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I really appreaciate the insightful comments. I did not get a chance to go to the range this weekend, but plan to make a trip this Friday. As suggested I will try various configurations using both ckokes and pistons as well as a variety of ammo to make sure everything functions as desired.

NEO - I do love my XD Compact. I had a tough time originally getting used to the trigger. I did some research on XDTalk.com and realized that several owners were having similar issues. Not that it's bad - just different. Based on many recommendations, I did send my gun to Springer Precision to have some work done on the trigger (shorten the pull and reset), polish the feed ramp and install some grip tape. I was very pleased with the work and found the gun to be more accurate for my shooting style following the adjustments. YMMV.

Thanks Again - Lee