orphanedcowboy
Member
Just added some accessories to the wife's 930 hd
Tactical shotgun pix....
- Thread starter JERRY
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RevolvingGarbage
Member
Actually Blaisenguns, I posted that picture for a laugh on April Fools Day
It is really just my Tokyo Marui SPAS-12 Airsoft shotgun. It is spring powered, fires 3x 6mm .20g BB's at about 290 FPS per shot, and holds 30 BB's in a magazine that slides into the receiver and looks just like a 12 gauge shell.
Its really cool, but not as cool as an actual Franchi SPAS
blaisenguns
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Well you sure fooled me!
That appears to be a very good quality airsoft gun.I take no offense. This gun is not my go to gun, and not even my go to shotgun. I have other semis and a handful of pumps and I feel like I have a decent grasp of some of the pros and cons between them all. I do think that it is a viable fighting shotgun, but probably not for everyone (I wouldn't recommend it for everyone), more on that later. I will say I actually don’t think there’s anything really over the top about that gun though. There is nothing on it that is not on it for a reason. There are, however, a few changes I would make were I building it today or if I were to get serious about this gun again. Let’s have a look:
The quad rail serves a couple purposes. First it allows me to mount the optic and the light. Some people will say that you don’t need an optic on a shotgun. I have a bunch of shotguns without them. For an across the room defensive shotgun a RDS won’t hurt anything but may not be worth the price of admission for most folks. For a broader use tactical or fighting gun it is actually really nice to have. It is probably faster than a bead in close, better in low light, and much better for slugs. It adds capability. Whether it is an addition someone needs or will even find useful depends on how he or she plans to use that gun. Second the quad rail allows for a light to be mounted. A light is a must for a fighting gun as far as I am concerned. I like a good durable light, thus the surefire, and I like to be able to activate it whether I have the gun shouldered on my strong side or support side. Third the quad rail allows me to use a C clamp type grip that I like with my support hand and not get burned on a hot gas tube or anything else.
What would I change? The quad rail adds more weight than I would like it too. It’s not excessive or unbearable. That gun is only slightly heavier than some ARs with optic and lights that I've used. That said I could do what I wanted with just an ultimak and I likely will go in that direction one day when I get back to doing more with that gun. The light has a tape switch, which allows activation with either hand the way I like. It is not pictured. The surefire on it is a serviceable light but is an older model and a small lighter one that is just as functional could be used. The aimpoint on it is one I had available. I think that one day I will either put an RMR or an aimpoint micro on it. These sights weigh less and are something I generally prefer depending on exact use to the pro. The pro is a very good buy though and works well.
Apart from the rail, light, and optic the only other things on it are the magwell, the charging handle, the magpul stock, the sling and the stubby VFG.
The magwell is probably one of the best additions I’ve made to an S12. It makes reloads faster and much more consistent. It also makes them much easier on a closed bolt. JTE may be coming out with a new magwell and I would seriously consider changing to that one if they do. The magwell is a very functional and useful addition. Most people can’t smoothly reload an S12 on a closed bolt, if they can even do it at all. The magwell makes doing so a breeze.
Charging handle: The big knob simply makes it easier to grab. I could live without it but it is a nice enhancement with the only downside being a rather slight increase in weight. One could live without it, but I like it.
The stock does a couple things. One it allows a cheek riser that in turn allows one to actually have a cheek weld with the RDS (which is mounted lower than it is in that picture). Without the cheek riser just about any optic on any mounting solution I’ve seen is going to be too high. A good cheek weld is essential to shooting very well. The stock also adjusts which is nice. I can adjust it to accommodate a plate carrier, or winter versus summer clothing (it ranges from -5 to 105 winter to summer at my house). It also accommodates different sized shooters. I like it more than my other gun with a traditional AK stock.
The sling could easily be detached. That said I find the sling a useful addition. It makes transitioning to a handgun easier and allows for shooting the afore mentioned handgun with two hands instead of one when one transitions. It also allows one to sling the gun which can be useful for any number of reasons (note it is a convertible single point/two point sling).
The VFG, I use it as a point to index off. One could do the same thing with a hand stop or an AFG. It’s not essential but I do like having something to index off. I have been playing around with different options on this gun and some others. I’ve had it bare, with an AFG, a VFG, and with a hand stop. One day I may totally settle on just what I like and then set them all up that way, but I haven’t yet.
In sum, there is nothing there that doesn't do something and nothing to crazy. I have another S12 that is much more stripped down. The only thing I like about it more is the weight. It’s not that the gun pictured above is unmanageable or anything. And in fact the weight is surely part of what helps to make it a very soft shooter. However, If I were going to get more serious with that gun again I would make changes to shave some weight as I generally like to keep a gun lighter is possible. Dumping the quad rail for an ultimak, using a lighter optic/mount, using a lighter light/mount, would make a difference. If I were really serious about it I might even SBS the thing. I’m actually leaning more towards SBSing a MKA 1919 to be honest. It has a number of advantages vis-à-vis the saigas.
OP
OP
JERRY
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- Jun 5, 2003
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ive order the six round shell saddle for my 18.5" maverick 88. so far i have the recdoil reducer breachergrip and a generic light holder with a generick s&w light mounted on it.....
my 870 (magnum express) is a 20" gun but i havent done anything to that other than a +2 mag ext. in the years ive had it.
oh, Girodin, by over the top i didnt mean that in a bad way, i meant as far as cost goes. most folks can afford a $250.00 short bbl shotgun and add another $100.00 in add-ons to make it "tactical". yours im sure is a wee bit more than $350.00, i think....
my 870 (magnum express) is a 20" gun but i havent done anything to that other than a +2 mag ext. in the years ive had it.
oh, Girodin, by over the top i didnt mean that in a bad way, i meant as far as cost goes. most folks can afford a $250.00 short bbl shotgun and add another $100.00 in add-ons to make it "tactical". yours im sure is a wee bit more than $350.00, i think....
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breakingcontact
Member
Agreed.
I have tactical fatigue. Tactics are something you have or do not something you buy. I'm not against an add on or two, but at some point its too much. Sometimes less really is more.
Hate to see the shotgun crowd going like the AR crowd where the challenge is to cover it in rails and attachments or rail covers to cover up the rails you added. Then more rails on top of attachments and rail covers.
theblakester
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- May 12, 2011
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Haha that's awesome. I like my light mount bc it's very low profile. I have extra ammo too, maybe because I'm paranoid about running out of ammo.. But that's it.
My tactical single shot, when tactics require you to stash a shotgun away in your truck, cabin etc. Tactical barrel is for bashing people on the head. Tactical pouch holds 20 tactical shells. Tactical dime is used to take down the fore stock.
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This is where getting out and using one's guns is important. In addition to learning skills sets that are often much more important that just owning equipment, you get a chance to figure out what additions really are useful and which ones are just dead weight or worse actually impede effective use of the weapon.
Just a little a bit more that that. The optic is about $400
. I agree one can get a very functional shotgun for a pretty reasonable price. This is IMHO THE main reason why shotguns are so popular for HD and pump guns in particular. Good serviceable pumps like the mossberg clone the maverick 88 or a pardner pump or hawk 98X guns can be had for about $200 NIB and less for used but mechanically sound guns. What is a useful addition at that point depends largely on a couple factors. First, intended use. A HD gun doesn't need all the same capabilities that a general fighting shotgun does. For example, my house isn't tiny but there are no 100 yard slug shots to be made anywhere in it. A HD gun has more limited uses and generally the range at which it will be used is rather short. The second major factor in equipping a gun is what equipment you know how to use and can use effectively. Adding things you don't know how to make use of is simply adding weight for the most part.
For a HD gun I like the following. A good light and mounting solution that allows me to readily work the light and has a momentary on off switch. A light is a must. Most critiques of a light only serve to show that the person making the critiques doesn't understand how to properly use it. On the other hand seeing things in the dark often requires a light. A good light and mounting solution is often as much or more than a decent pump shotgun.
The next thing I like is a method of carrying more ammo on the gun. 7-8 rounds may be enough to deal with a threat. That said, I'm not clairvoyant. I can't guarantee that it will be. I'd rather have rounds and not need them. How and where I carry those extra rounds depends on the exact gun in question. In general I like a quality side saddle. Right now I'm a fan of the Ares Gear ones. In general, I don't like the butt cuff holders. They are cheap and easy to put on but have draw backs. They interfere with shooting the gun from my support shoulder. They also aren't in a very good spot to access and load the ammo on a tube fed gun.
Beyond that there are things that add capability but are very far from essential for most HD roles. In one is having to choose where to spend money one would be better served by spending it on instruction and training than further mods or equipment.
All that said, if Beneli M2s cost what a pump gun cost very very few people would bother with owning a pump. Same deal for ARs.
walking arsenal
Member
Why is your light so far out on your mag tube?
Wouldn't you want it positioned where you can reach it?
Wouldn't you want it positioned where you can reach it?
#5 ithica 37??? DO NOT SELL! unless it is to me!!
Sadly, numbers 2, 3 and 4 have left the fold to make room for other fillies.
Here is the current stable:
Grunt
Member
Hmm, how about "tricked out" 1918 style?
Of course, it's not just the 1897 that is bayonet ready:
The problem with a lot of attachments is that everything you add increases the weight. Sometimes, less is more:
Of course, it's not just the 1897 that is bayonet ready:
The problem with a lot of attachments is that everything you add increases the weight. Sometimes, less is more:
BLACK-N-TAN
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- Sep 26, 2006
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It has since been moved to as far back on the tube as it can be. That pic was taken the day I mounted that light, and I was worried about the shadow of the barrel obscuring too much light (Always used a light on a pistol so never had that problem). Turns out after some experimenting in the dark, I didn't need to be worried as it only obscured a tiny half circle at the very top of the beam.
breakingcontact
Member
Nice duracoat job on that 930 SPX.
BLACK-N-TAN
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- Sep 26, 2006
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Thx... 1st attempt at a 6 color multicam style camo.. Came out pretty good but im sure the next one would be better now that I know how to layer everything
loose noose
Member
Just my little model 1100 that I shot DX up at Trinidad Colorado, in 1996. I've also got the 32" trap barrel, as well as a 26" Skeet barrel for it. Kind of my all around gun so to speak.
RX-178
Member
I've got one that's tricked out to a considerable degree. I'll post pictures when I can.
It's tricked out to the point of... if I ever had to do it over again, I probably wouldn't, but I've gotten used to it, and I like it, heavy-weight and all, so I'm keeping it tricked out.
It's tricked out to the point of... if I ever had to do it over again, I probably wouldn't, but I've gotten used to it, and I like it, heavy-weight and all, so I'm keeping it tricked out.
breakingcontact
Member
I like that 1100! Nice.
max popenker
Member
I'll play, too
shrewd
Member
I can't get a picture to stick but my Westernfield s just about like #8 but with a 20" bbl and slip-on recoil pad.
Apparentlly many of us are following the old style Wood/Metal build-up! The basic H/D Shotgun. I have seen many examples across the net both chopped to size and bought to size with aftermarket parts.
There is nothing like a "Classic" Pump-gun to bet your life on...
No frills, no gizmos.
Simple 5 in the magazine, feed as you go.
BPDave
Apparentlly many of us are following the old style Wood/Metal build-up! The basic H/D Shotgun. I have seen many examples across the net both chopped to size and bought to size with aftermarket parts.
There is nothing like a "Classic" Pump-gun to bet your life on...
No frills, no gizmos.
Simple 5 in the magazine, feed as you go.
BPDave
bigdaa
member
20ga
12's
12's
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