First pump shotgun advice

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Victor1Echo

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I get my Marlin 120 deluxe 12 gauge tommorrow. I have never owned a pump shotgun and plan on using it to hunt. I also plan on shooting it tommorrow and I will be shooting solo. I really wish I had someone skilled who could start me off on the right foot. The first time you do something, you already start to develop habits --good and bad. I want to avoid developing bad habits, so what advice can you give me to ensure I do not have to unlearn. If you were going with me tommorrow what would you be making sure I didn't do, and do right? Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Read owners manual than,

Field strip & clean thoroughly. Then oil it up ,but not inside the barrel ,unless your not going to shot it ( storage ).
 
My suggestion would be to work on properly mounting the shotgun first. Follow-through is important, too.
 
Hard to do anything wrong with a pump. Sounds like you've been around guns, but I am unsure if you're new to shotguns or just pumps.

If you're new to shotguns, it's simple. Shoulder it firmly, keep your cheek weld while swinging the gun, keep the bead level and let fly.

As far as the type of action shotgun, there isn't much difference (for me at least) between pump/single shot/double barrel/semi-auto. It just changes how I act before/after the shot. Not during.

I guess the only thing I can think of with a pump is be sure to rack it all the way forward. Sometimes beginners forget that.

Edit: I would also recommend getting comfortable racking the slide while having the gun shouldered. No need to drop it down/turn it sideways.
 
Get to where every time you bring the gun up to shoulder and find a good cheek weld, it's the same exact place every time. That means shoot...then shoot...then shoot a little more....then keep shooting.

One major thing I like to point out with a shotgun is to make sure you properly weld your cheek so that your looking straight down that barrel on a level plain. If you can't properly align yourself, how can you ever properly align your shot?
 
Make sure when you cycle the slide you SLAM!!!! it, all the way back and then all the way forward. Also, when you're inserting shells into the mag tube, really get them in there up past the shell stops so they don't pop back out.
 
What type of hunting? If you're talking about deer/hog/bear/turkey, then you'll be using the gun like a rifle at basically stationary targets. If you're talking upland game or waterfowl, then you'll be pointing (as mentioned) the gun, not aiming. If THAT is the goal, find your local trap/skeet club, go and explain your newness and I'm sure you'll have several folks give you great advice on how to move the gun properly. A 4-pack or basic shells from wally world using 7-1/2's or 8's will be all you'll need.

Good luck!
 
Pumps

As has been said, don't baby it. Rack it hard-it won't break.

I bought a pump after a lifetime of SxS.

A SxS is really a 2-shot semi, and I was used to pulling the trigger a second time without thinking. With the pump, and with pheasants in the air, it took a bit of time to remember to pump before the second shot.

By the end of the afternoon, it was instinctive.

Some find that the rhythm of pumping actually improves their shooting, and makes their second shots more effective than other actions.

You'll be fine with it.
 
Some find that the rhythm of pumping actually improves their shooting, and makes their second shots more effective than other actions.
Click to expand...
I hope that's the case! I am out the door now to go pick her up. I will post a report this afternoon. I'm starting to get excited.
 
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