FN Tactical Shotgun on CDNN Page 41?

[joey93turbo]

I'm thinking of purchasing the FN Tactical Police Shotgun on Page 41 of the CDNN catalog. What do you guys think? Anyone have one?

FN Tactical Police Shotgun - Collapsable AR Style Buttstock, AR Style Pistol Grip, 7+1 Capacity, M16 Sights, 18" Ported Barrel, Picatinny Rail, ITC Tactical Backbored Choke System, 6.5LBS, free $200 C-More Red Dot Sight - $599

 

[justsurvivingincalifornia]

It kind of expensive for just a home defence shotgun.

Do you normally use a ar15/m16/m4 on a regular basis it?
It would help to have a shotgun with the same sights and feel.
I have see the FN shotgun it's look like it based on a winchester 1300 shotgun

most lawenforcement and millatary tend to be in to remington and mossberg, but winchester are great shotguns.

The question need to be asked what are you using it for??

 

[Fumbler]

It'd be a good home defense or deer and squirrel hunting shotgun,, but like justsurviving said, its more than you really need for HD. Of course many of never stopped buying things that were more than we needed

I've handled them but never shot them. They seem like great guns with great features and are made on Win 1300 recievers (like how FN rifles are built on Win 70s).

 

[joey93turbo]

This would be my HD and SHTF shotgun. I can't believe it's only 6.5lbs, that's awesome. I do have an M4A3 AR15 and am familiar with the sights and such.

 

[cslinger]

Mmmmm lemmee see here. 6.5 pounds, carry the 4, divide by 2.......Plus one AR 15 collapseable stock, square root of the recoil coef.........Plus 3 inch magnum shell...............

I believe the answer to this equation is PAIN I love the looks of that thing and I am far from recoil shy but that AR buttstock ain't exactly designed for shotty recoil, not to mention all those little spikes on the end.

I would love to try one but I just don't think it would be all that much fun to shoot.

Chris

 

[Ben97XJ]

I have one and the recoil is really not that bad. I didn't pay that much. I bought it used. I like it but I don't know I would pay $600 for it.

 

[joey93turbo]

How's the fit and finish? Have you ever shot an 18" 870? How does the recoil compare?

Would you guys rather purchase this gun or trick out an 870 yourself?

 

[Fred Fuller]

Personally I'd buy a good used older 870 Express or LE agency trade-in for less than $200 and work from there. But that's just me, I'm an old fogey and oft unimpressed with lots of the things that seem to set younger eyes atwinkle these days. I don't care for sights that require batteries at all, for example. I don't like things that detract from what I consider the normal handling characteristics of shotguns, like straight line stocks which require optical sights to use.

I think the skill set of the shooter is more important than the equipment/hardware owned. I think a shooter should be competent to run baseline/box stock guns effectively without depending on bling, and thus ready to capably use whatever hardware comes to hand (sort of like being able to drive a vehicle with a stick shift transmission).

But that's just me, the old fogey over in the corner who don't know nothin' 'bout nothin', never been nowhere and never done anything...

lpl/nc

 

[Dave McCracken]

$ 600 is one good 870/1300/590/37 plus LOTS of ammo and range fees. Better to get a fine used US made Big Four pump gun and learn how to use it.

Nobody makes better defensive shotguns than we do. Bellsnwhistles add but a little to the effectiveness. Proficiency is essential, and good shotgunners can run a bone stock shotgun amazingly well.

And, IMO, using an AR style stock on a shotgun is a step in the wrong direction. Shotguns kick, ARs do not.

Now I'll take a seat next to Lee on The Fogey Bench....

 

[Ben97XJ]

I Think you would be better off getting an 870/1300 and adding whatever you want to it. $600 is not too bad if you consider that the barrel is ported and has the adapter for the ar15 stock. The only thing I don't really like is that the sights are up so high on the gun. I would rather have ghost sights.

 

[Preacherman]

The FN shotguns are basically rebadged Winchesters, with cosmetic features added. I respectfully submit that you'd be better off buying a standard pump gun from any one of the Big Four (although, like many on this forum, I'd strongly recommend the Remington 870) and spending the balance of the money you've saved on ammo (lots and lots of ammo) and range time. By putting a thousand rounds downrange through a stock-standard pump gun, you'll be a far more deadly shotgun practitioner than someone who's spent the same amount of money on an all-the-bells-and-whistles super-dooper-felon-blaster-Magnum-stopper shotgun, but not trained much with it.

 

[cslinger]

By putting a thousand rounds downrange through a stock-standard pump gun, you'll be a far more deadly shotgun practitioner than someone who's spent the same amount of money on an all-the-bells-and-whistles super-dooper-felon-blaster-Magnum-stopper shotgun, but not trained much with it.

I, of course, agree 100% but let us all take into consideration one of the aspects of shooting that for most us is the primary reason to own firearms. FUN!!!!! I personally think the shotgun is pretty darn cool and fun looking. I am still in the AR stock equal ouch camp but I can see the appeal.

Now if you are simply looking for a good defensive firearm that's only purpose will be to train for some sort of impending nastyness then go buy yourself a cheap 870 police, lots of ammo and start training. If you are looking for something to have fun with that definitely be used for defense than give the ole' FN a go.

As for sheer self defense needs we could all get by mighty well with a nice 3 -4 inch .357 maggie and any old Remynovachesteretc. pump gun.

My two cents. Here is to never having to shoot anything that actually bleeds.....unless of course you are a hunter and then you better eat it.

Chris

 

[Marshall]

"Would you guys rather purchase this gun or trick out an 870 yourself?"


Joey, this is not the most unbias board to ask 870 vs. XXX about. I see the 870 as the answer to almost every question asked about shotguns from some of the folks. Nothing wrong with that but there are many good semi-auto and pump guns.

 

[cslinger]

I personally would rather buy a used 870 police, slap a surefire front end on it, maybe speedfeed stock and sidesaddle and get to blasting.

HINT: There is a reason that 870s have been so popular with EVERYBODY for so long and it has nothing to do with image.

Like Dave and most other folks say though any of the big name pumps are great guns. Just practice. I like the 870 my wife likes the NOVA.

 

[Kestrel]

I would pass on that. I would strongly recommend an 870 Police model. Better shotgun for less money.

 

[Fumbler]

Better shotgun?

That would start a Rem 870 vs Win 1300 arguement.

It would definately be cheaper though.

 

[joey93turbo]

Yeah I think I'm going to go the 870 route. Where's the best place to find deals on them?

 

[Fred Fuller]

Last batch of 870 agency trade-ins I saw mentioned anywhere were at

John Norrell Arms, Inc.
13529 Saddle Hill Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72212

They took in a batch or two of 870 agency trade-ins a couple months ago and were unloading them for fair prices ($135 to 155 and up, cheaper the more you buy). They were going pretty fast to dealers who were buying them by the half dozen or dozen, they may be all gone by now. See their website for contact info- website is http://www.molyresin.com/ .

I haven't dealt with these folks before personally but I did check on them and they have a good reputation in the industry. You will need to have your local FFL dealer handle the transfer for you, which will likely add $15-25 or more to the cost of the gun depending on what your dealer charges for the service. From what I'm hearing, more and more agencies are having their shotguns rebuilt or refurbished instead of trading them in for new ones- the supply of agency trade-ins sure seems smaller than it used to be.

Also look around dealers and pawn shops near you and see if there are any good buys locally. Let people in different stores know what you are looking for, there may be something available that just isn't out on the shelf yet. Don't get in a hurry, time really is money- there are good buys available still, though again they seem to be getting harder to find.

Good hunting, let us know how it goes, and if you have any more questions, blaze away-

lpl/nc

 

[joey93turbo]

How much are new 18" 870's? What're the differences between the models besides the furniture and length of barrel? Since I'm going to buy a speedfeeder stock with a pistol grip built it I don't care what furniture it is.

 

[Fumbler]

The last few 18" models that I've seen with bead sights and no extension were $230.

The only major differences between models besides barrels and mag lengths are the Wingmaster is blued, the Marine shotgun is nickel plated, and the Expresses are some sort of parkerized like finish. The Wingmaster and some Police models have metal trigger guards, not sure of the Marine.
Some people are convinced that the Wingmaster models have better fit. All the wingmasters I've seen have better parts fit than most of the Expresses I've seen, so I guess they pick the nicer fitting ones for the Wingmasters and the Expresses are left with a wider range of fit quality. All will work, all will serve you well, may as well save a few bucks and get an Express.

 

[Preacherman]

For a good deal, check out the "Combo" packages offered at Wal-Mart. You can get a Remington 870 Express with a 26" screw-in choke barrel for general use, and a 18" rifle-sighted IC smoothbore barrel for deer slugs or defensive use. I don't know what they charge currently, but I paid $260 for one a couple of years ago. Probably gone up since then...

There's also this one, which comes with an extra-full turkey choke, but you can replace that with a Modified or IC choke for very little extra cost. This should be a good defensive use and all-round play gun.

 

[Fumbler]

Those combos run $400 for the 3.5" Express and about $320 for the 3" Express.

That isn't a big savings but still a good deal.

 

[justsurvivingincalifornia]

Hey Joey
How about this shotgun?
It a reminton 870 with synthetic forend and folding stock(choate) and 2 shot extension part # REM5059 retail 419.95s lewhorton.com