Model UCN 1201 12GA Pump Action Shotgun? Any good?

[TheOtherOne]

I don't even own a Shotgun so I figure I might as well start somewhere and this one actually fits my current budget

Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge on them? Are they junk or decent for the price?

From: http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/rilfes.html

NEW! Model UCN 1201 12GA Pump Action Shotgun
Item# UCN1201
Brand New! Model UCN 1201, High quality 12GA Pump Action Shotgun Manufactured by Norinco utilizing the Ithaca design. Fantastic shotguns featuring: a Matte finish, Synthetic Stock and Forearm, Ghost Ring Sights, Sling Swivels, Heatshield, Bottom Ejection, Dual Slide Rails, and 18.5" Bbl. Accepts both 2 3/4" and 3" Magnum Shells!

Starting at Only: $159.95

 

[Dave McCracken]

Besides the ethics and morality of buying ChiCom anything, these things are made of materials of varying quality, warranty work and spare parts may be hard to come by in the shifting sands of international politics, AND....

US made pump guns that will outlast at least one generation of shotgunner, no matter how dedicated he/she is,are neither expensive nor rare. All of the Big Four pumps cost less than a week's pay for a working person and will do anything ANY shotgun can do if set up correctly and in trained,cool, hands.

Used Ithaca Model 37s(The shotgun this is cloned from) run $200-300 used. So do Remington 870s, Mossberg 500s, and the Winchester 1200 and 1300. The last two maybe less.

I suggest reading the threads at the top about buying used pumps and the Big Four. You may want to try out a few shotguns before purchase.

HTH...

 

[TheOtherOne]

Thanks!

I'm not following the moral part of it... but the quality issue is good enough for me. I'll look for something of good quality used. Besides, I'm not understanding why there is a pistol grip that goes in front of the trigger in that picture??

 

[M. Jager]

Ethics part-
Made in China so to avoid patend rights- basically they are stealing the design from ithaca.
Most likely made by workers who are over worked and underpaid
Last, some like to avoid goods made in China on general principle

 

[Correia]

I agree with Dave.

But M. Jager, the Ithica has been around since the 1930s. There is no patent rights left.

 

[Soap]

Like others have said, you can get an American shotgun for a few more bucks. I would rather have an NEF single shot before one of the Norinco repeaters.

 

[Dave McCracken]

One, that PG is for replacing the stock,turning an excellent close range weapon into an ungainly, awkward handgun.

The Cool Factor gets the wrong people killed.

 

[HerbG]

I've looked over the ChiCom made Norincos at gun shows, and I was not impressed! Why are they so cheap............you guessed it.

 

[foghornl]

If your "New Shotgun Budget" is limited to say, under $200, might I suggest the Maverick line from Mossberg. The Maverick 6-shot security model 88 MSRP is $199, I have seen it on sale as low as $149. 18-1/2" plain barrel, fixed choke, synthetic stock/forend. As an added benny, MOST of the Mossberg 500 parts & accessories will fit the Maverick 88.

Maverick Arms is located in Eagle Pass, TX, and is a "wholly owned subsidiary" [or something like that] of Mossberg.

p.s. I have "owned and operated" a Maverick 88 field model since 1991, no complaints or issues.