Looking for a New Shotgun

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SwampWolf

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I'm in the market for another upland gun (grouse/woodcock) that would also serve as a home defense gun. Anybody have any experience with the new Rock Island Model VRBP-100 shotgun?
 
Generally, the two uses are anathema to one another. Sure, you could use a BOSS 28 ga. to defend yourself, or try to shoot grouse and woodcock with that Rock Island bullpup, but I wouldn't recommend it any more than using a Chevy Aveo to pull a motor home and a Hummer for a cross country trip with a limited gas budget.
 
Woodcock and grouse are “carry much, shoot little” endeavours that favor the scaled 20 ga and 28 ga gun, double triggers, and preferably fixed choke skeet or IC in one barrel and LM or M in the other. An open choked semi in 20 or 28 could do.

The Rock Island VRBP-100 looks like it might be good for a three gun match. It may be suitable for home defense, though a mag fed semi auto bull pup would not be among my top five choices in that role, but as an upland bird gun? It is nearly as absurd a choice as one of those Shockwaves, or the Mossberg “Chainsaw” :rofl:
 
Might take a little practice, but this guy looks like he's ready for some upland hunting with his Shockwave.



Most of the grouse I've shot, the butt was not on my shoulder; just get the gun up on line with the eye, bead on beak, and fire.

A 'Chainsaw', no way; the vertical pistol grip and funky pump handle would make shooting at birds impossible. (and it would smack one in the chops.) The Rock Island the OP asked about has pop-up BUIS sights, shooting flying things with those would be, er, challenging. Not to mention the lack of swing dynamics and tail-heavy bullpup configuration.
 
I looks like something straight out of a Star War.

I don’t like it and it makes me uncomfortable. The feel of wood and steel cannot be beat. Someone mentioned an Ithaca 37 and one in 20 gauge would be an excellent choice. 20 gauge buckshot is acceptable for home defense chores.
 
I thought I'd open this thread with a little humor. I'm as "old school" as you get (my real upland irons are a pretty Merkel 20 gauge double and a Browning Double Auto) but I'm in the mood for something a little different for a change and started looking at the latest defensive shotgun fads (box magazines for Mossberg and Remington pumps, for instance, are hot items now). And though it's not anything I'd contemplate doing, the review of the Rock Island Model VRBP-100 by the American Rifleman opined that the gun is "...ideal for home defenders, hunters and competition shooters alike...For the hunter, the bullpup design makes for an easy-to-handle package when climbing into a deer blind or tree stand, combined with the VRBP's flexibility to handle everything from birdshot to slugs..."

So, on a serious note, anybody have any experience with this gun? Thanks-and sorry for the improvised red herring that might have induced undue angst for some of you. :evil: :neener:;)
 
I cannot envision using the same shotgun for upland game and HD. About the only cross use I can see for any fowl and HD is a turkey gun. I do use the same gun for both. When I go turkey hunting I take out the extended skeet choke, screw in the turkey choke, unload the buckshot and load with turkey shells.
92D26379-9AC0-42A1-A6D5-52CF7ADCD6E3.jpeg
 
SwampWolf said:
I thought I'd open this thread with a little humor. I'm as "old school" as you get (my real upland irons are a pretty Merkel 20 gauge double and a Browning Double Auto) but I'm in the mood for something a little different for a change and started looking at the latest defensive shotgun fads (box magazines for Mossberg and Remington pumps, for instance, are hot items now). And though it's not anything I'd contemplate doing, the review of the Rock Island Model VRBP-100 by the American Rifleman opined that the gun is "...ideal for home defenders, hunters and competition shooters alike...For the hunter, the bullpup design makes for an easy-to-handle package when climbing into a deer blind or tree stand, combined with the VRBP's flexibility to handle everything from birdshot to slugs..."

So, on a serious note, anybody have any experience with this gun? Thanks-and sorry for the improvised red herring that might have induced undue angst for some of you. :evil: :neener:;)
Click to expand...
<Joe Peschi voice> Funny how? </Joe Peschi voice>
Cant say I have experience with one; I looked at one at a gun shop today, it'd be a hard pass for me.
 
There is a reason most folks that hunt in the US carry an 1100 in the field, it fits the American hunting scheme and the attempt at game management. It is reasonably priced and will live long enough to be passed on.
You can buy multiple barrel lengths and make a hunter into a defensive gun.
 
Armorer 101 said:
There is a reason most folks that hunt in the US carry an 1100 in the field
Click to expand...
There are without a doubt many 1100’s out there in hunter’s hands but “most”? I have trouble believing that.

In addition, because of weight mostly, I see a higher percentage of 1100’s used in clay sports than I do in the field. That’s my perception any way, I could be wrong.
 
The 1100's heyday in the field was about 1975-1990. By then other autos had surpassed it, (including the 11-87) the A303 series for upland birds and game, and the Benelli SBE for waterfowl. There are still many of them that hit the field every fall for everything from doves to deer.
 
I guess I'd get a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 and a couple of barrels. Put the hunting barrels on for bird hunting then put the HD barrels on when the guns are stored for defense. It's an advantage of the pump shotguns.

But if it were me, I'd have one gun for bird hunting and another for home defense.
 
entropy said:
The 1100's heyday in the field was about 1975-1990. By then other autos had surpassed it, (including the 11-87) the A303 series for upland birds and game, and the Benelli SBE for waterfowl. There are still many of them that hit the field every fall for everything from doves to deer.
Click to expand...

I agree. The 1100 is obsolete.
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
I agree. The 1100 is obsolete.
Click to expand...

I didn't say it was obsolete. It would be rather hypocritcal of me to say that, what with my backup Trap and pheasant gun being an 1100:

1100 Comp.jpg

The 1911's heyday was the 1950's through the early 70's, about when PPC supplanted Bullseye as the predominant pistol 'game', but as kudu mentions it too is far from obsolete.
 
My newest shotgun is a old one. Old silver spoon 870 with a NOS skeet barrel. Mated this combo up for the last half of sporting clays season and it worked great and should work great for bird hunting. I’ll be refinishing the wood and having the receiver cerakoted (wickedwing style)before bird season. Really like the old actions.
 
You can't go wrong with a Mossberg 500 or an 870. I like the 500 more just because of the placement of the safety. 20" barrel for home defense and a 26 or 28 inch for hunting.
 
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