hiya folks, just wanna share my first impression about my new purchase in case someone is on the fence about getting one.
I have the choate PG stock model with the extension tube (7+1) and LPA sights combo. It seems to be the newer model, rear of the handguard is flat, thicker barrel. Here's the review:
1. break it down and clean and relube it first. The packing grease is a bit sticky, binding the action.
2. First time removing the handguard and gas tube, the gas ring scratched the end of my magazine tube. It doesn't affect function. I used sandpaper and touch of cold blue and it's GTG. It happens quite a bit with the spx. There's a lot of stories posted at mossberg owners forum.
3. Spring and follower is a bit tight at first but now all 7 rds fit with no problems.
4. You can "limp shoulder" and cause malfunction. First off, i haven't handled any big caliber firearm lately (sold my mosin a while back) and after a few shots of 00 buck and slug, i pulled my shoulder away for a bit and the bolt did not return home. There's a shell in the elevator. All I did was push/ slam the bolt forward and after adjusting my shoulder, did not experience any malf.
The limp shoulder theory was confirmed when a new shooter (a very novice shooter, first time with a shouldered firearm) shot the spx. It did not chamber the second round - sitting in the elevator like the first malfunction. After i told him to press the stock firmly to his shoulder, he fired 3 more rds without stoppages.
The 3rd shooter was more experienced. After watching us, he held the spx tight and did not experience malfunction.
Only used 00 buck high brass, cheap 00 buck low brass from spartan (12.99 for 25 rds at academy) and some slugs.
I wanted to test reliability using some birdshot ( i know i know, HD shotgun should only fire buckshot) for training purposes since i have 2 value packs from walmart but the range won't allow it.
Also the range would only allow 25 yd range for shotguns. They didn't allow it at the handgun range where it would be a more realistic representation of home defense. So Cannot get a good feel of which ammo patterns better.
All in all I am satisfied that it runs pretty good. I need to test it with some birdshot to make sure it is reliable with broad range of ammunition. It is sitting under my bed right now.
I have the choate PG stock model with the extension tube (7+1) and LPA sights combo. It seems to be the newer model, rear of the handguard is flat, thicker barrel. Here's the review:
1. break it down and clean and relube it first. The packing grease is a bit sticky, binding the action.
2. First time removing the handguard and gas tube, the gas ring scratched the end of my magazine tube. It doesn't affect function. I used sandpaper and touch of cold blue and it's GTG. It happens quite a bit with the spx. There's a lot of stories posted at mossberg owners forum.
3. Spring and follower is a bit tight at first but now all 7 rds fit with no problems.
4. You can "limp shoulder" and cause malfunction. First off, i haven't handled any big caliber firearm lately (sold my mosin a while back) and after a few shots of 00 buck and slug, i pulled my shoulder away for a bit and the bolt did not return home. There's a shell in the elevator. All I did was push/ slam the bolt forward and after adjusting my shoulder, did not experience any malf.
The limp shoulder theory was confirmed when a new shooter (a very novice shooter, first time with a shouldered firearm) shot the spx. It did not chamber the second round - sitting in the elevator like the first malfunction. After i told him to press the stock firmly to his shoulder, he fired 3 more rds without stoppages.
The 3rd shooter was more experienced. After watching us, he held the spx tight and did not experience malfunction.
Only used 00 buck high brass, cheap 00 buck low brass from spartan (12.99 for 25 rds at academy) and some slugs.
I wanted to test reliability using some birdshot ( i know i know, HD shotgun should only fire buckshot) for training purposes since i have 2 value packs from walmart but the range won't allow it.
Also the range would only allow 25 yd range for shotguns. They didn't allow it at the handgun range where it would be a more realistic representation of home defense. So Cannot get a good feel of which ammo patterns better.
All in all I am satisfied that it runs pretty good. I need to test it with some birdshot to make sure it is reliable with broad range of ammunition. It is sitting under my bed right now.