n00bie here wondering why I can't use my "tactical" shotgun for trap

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TaiChih

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Hello all,
I just wanted to mention that I use a Remington "Police 870" with Speedfeed pistol gripped stock to go trap shooting, and I constantly get strange looks and unwelcomed comments from the "over/under gold plated beautiful wood stocked bunch" about how the "black tactical shotguns" are not allowed for trap shooting, citing from pistol grips can't be used, magazine extensions are not allowed, It's too dangerous to use on the range. I abide by the rules, and say that I shoot pretty decently. Can't we all just get along.
btw- I use a Remington "Police 870" with 24" barrel, speedfeed pistol grip stock, magazine extension, wilson combat tritium rear peep sight.
* Please discuss.:D
 
They might be in the "sporting purpose" crowd and/or AHSA, and want to ban self defense guns.

That said, you probably would shoot better with a competition shotgun
 
Find a new crowd to hang around with. Chances are, the people who say these things vote Democrat and agree with Sarah Brady. As long as you're not banning their guns, they are happy.

The bottom line is, uh, why would you want to shoot with these people? Now, don't get me wrong, you're not going to win any competitions with your gun set up just like it is. There's a reason shotguns look like they do on the trap range. There's a balance, swing, fit, and feel that melds with the human form to enhance your chances of breaking birds.

I'm fortunate enough to own a trap shotgun AND a self-defense shotgun (actually more than one but I digress). If you're not that fortunate, I'd suggest you find new shooting buddies or just hand out NRA applications to the guys who say these things. That usually shuts them up.
 
trapping with a tactical shotgun...

Tell them not to watch you...
Are you planning on shooting in a competition, if not I'd just tell them you're practicing deflection shooting for home defense...
Look at them and just laugh a sad pitiful little laugh while shaking your head and then mutter: "Amatuers"
:evil:
I've personally witnessed at the local trap course during club shoots:
A humpback Browning semi-auto
A Savage bolt-action in 16 gauge and boy was that guy fast on the action!
An actual antique side-by-side English fowler
A Mossberg 500 tactical
A Remington 870 tactical
An old military police Ithaca with 8 shot mag and speed trigger
An Uberti double hammer single trigger
A $25,000 Baretta with pearl sight beads and 24 carat gold plated trigger that didn't shoot any better than my old Mossberg, much to the chagrin of it's owner ;)

I've had people do the same thing to me at the rifle range when they're sighting in their new deer rifle for the season and I'm punching paper with my Romanian Kalashniclone that's got dual grips, 75 round drum magazine and an aimpoint red dot sight:

"What do you need that for?" Is asked with either disgust or contempt...
I just smile and say:
"Because it makes smart people ask dumb questions."

Heck, I don't care what you shoot, just shoot and yer OK with me!!!
 
Last match I was at (official champs in SA a couple of years ago) we were using SPAS-12's, Modified 870's and I know if at least one pistol stocked, choked, compensated, side saddle wearing Mossy 500.

They all shoot shot, so why not?

The only stipulation, two in the tube. There you go, just like everyone else now.

Since then, the gun laws here have gone to excrement, so we welcome anyone with anything, so long as it shoots shot :) My favourite is a borrowed external hammer SXS. We got one kid who shoots a .410. It smacks clays damn well.

Another shoots just for fun, and she uses a single shot break open. She just takes the miss on doubles.

KBK
 
Welcome, and some info that might help

Welcome to THR!

While I can't tell you want those people are thinking, I can tell you what the people at my club would be thinking.

We've had people show up with "tactical" shotguns who have never shot anything, or only shot tactical events, and instead of asking how things work they expect no rules, or worse, do whatever they want. This never sits well. Here are some examples:
  • They only have large shot (#4 or larger), when almost all clubs require #7.5 or smaller.
  • They load 5, 6, or 7 shells into the gun. Rules are you only load what you're about to shoot and you never take more than 2 shots.
  • They load and walk around with the breech closed (typically on a live round). All arms must be open and unloaded outside of the shooting box.
  • If you load more than one shell in a entry-shotgun (no shoulder stock) you'll get a lot of people worried because the second shot might be uncontrolled.
That type of behavior is viewed as a big risk to club and the safety of other shooters. These people often don't respond well to rules, and aren't respectful of the club or its equipment.

Now, if you aren't doing that, then what they might be thinking is that you aren't interested in competitive shooting, since you aren't practicing with the same type of shotgun with which you would compete. If you're just there to have a fun time and break some targets, just smile a lot and let them know you're just having fun. At my club, there isn't a big "black gun" vs "wood gun" bias, and many people shoot skeet with an all-black Beretta 3901 (the cheap wally world special) and even a few Mossberg 500s from the HD kit.
 
Heh. Im mildly amused.

Let's see, I probably can set the clays on fire with the 3 inch magnum rounds LOL.

Never mind the tightwads. Literally.

Then again, you might want to find a really CHEEP over and under to bust clay birds with. And when you do get into it, makes em angry that they spend so much on thier guns.

Aint I such a trouble maker? LOL.
 
I used to get the same down the nose look from the 'stuck up' crowd when I shot clays with a Winchester pump action. It had a blocked off tube to comply with the non section 1 British shotgun license - limiting it to a 2 cartridge magazine. I got the impression they didn't like some scruff in denims doing better than them whilst not having all the 'proper' gear.
 
With a short barreled 12ga., I would occasionally receive a snarky comment, but it was generally in fun. In your shoes, I'd look around for another club. Trap is too much fun to let it be spoiled by poor sports.

All my best,
Dirty Bob
 
I wouldn't care as long as you are safe.

If it's cylinder or improved cylinder, you might have better luck with skeet as the targets are closer.
 
Find a new crowd to hang around with. Chances are, the people who say these things vote Democrat and agree with Sarah Brady. As long as you're not banning their guns, they are happy.

The bottom line is, uh, why would you want to shoot with these people? Now, don't get me wrong, you're not going to win any competitions with your gun set up just like it is. There's a reason shotguns look like they do on the trap range.
Click to expand...

***?? call me a FUDD then......... With an attitude like these, you'll will NOT be getting any help or encouragement either.....

If you want to shoot trap or skeet por 5-stand or sporting clays, then use the right equipment.......I don't break concrete with a 6 oz ball peen hammer either.....

get a grip HD folks - the shotgun world does NOT revolve around you.....use the proper equipment for the proper application......
 
Remington "Police 870" with Speedfeed pistol gripped stock
Click to expand...

When we still had a trap range in our town many years back we would go down and they were more than happy to let us shoot rounds of trap. They didn't have a pistol grip but the 20 inch improved cly. chocks scored from time to time. I seem to remember using something like a #9 shot.

But I wouldn't expect a 25 out of 25. Anyway, shotgun people dress to nice for my taste.
 
Great post oneouncer!

Yo guys, I'm thinking about taking my Beretta O/U to the next 3 gun shoot. Do you think I might get the same looks and comments from the "tacticool" crowd, or would it be OK if I just put a synthetic stock on it?

At my club, if you want to shoot you're 870 express or your Mossberg pump or auto, or your daddy's single shot 16 gauge, if you're safe, nobody cares. It's when guys show up with the extended magazine, thumbhole stocked, flashlight mounted shotguns, and wonder why they can't hit anything with #4 buck, that everyone gets a bit apprehensive.

As oneouncer said..right tool for the right game.
 
At my club, if you want to shoot you're 870 express or your Mossberg pump or auto, or your daddy's single shot 16 gauge, if you're safe, nobody cares. It's when guys show up with the extended magazine, thumbhole stocked, flashlight mounted shotguns, and wonder why they can't hit anything with #4 buck, that everyone gets a bit apprehensive.
Click to expand...



Sorry --- I STILL DON'T GET IT ?? Other then your #4 Buck comment --- what is wrong with someone wanting to "play" at shooting Trap or Skeet with a shotgun like the OP stated ??


EDIT ---- I shoot LOTS of IPSC/IDPA/3 Gun Action for over 20 years ----- in that time I have seen many people bring/use a bolt action rifle in 3 Gun --- WILL THEY WIN ???? NOPE. WILL THEY HAVE FUN ???? YES ----- this being still America , shoot whatever type of firearm YOU like.
 
When shooting clays, I'm at my best when using my Mossberg 590 (20" bbl, heat shield, synthetic stock, no pistol grip). I consistently score better with my pump gun than with O/U, S/S, single shot, or semiautomatic shotguns. Don't know why. And I've probably put.. 5,000 to 10,000 shells through that gun while shooting clays.
 
so.... I take it a sporting (target) shotgun could not be used for a HD purpose either.... well... that certainly clears up everything for me...here I was thinking shooting was something to be done for recreation and practice. now I see it is all about having the right tool for the job... so.. I have a remington side by side 20 ga as well as a single shot 12 and a model 97... which should be used for what?

or should i just throw them away?
 
I constantly get strange looks and unwelcomed comments from the "over/under gold plated beautiful wood stocked bunch
Click to expand...

You get strange looks and unwelcome comments because anyone toting a tactical shotgun to a trap range looks like an out of place fool.

Trap is a competitive sport and showing up with a tactical shotgun is akin to arriving at the bowling alley with a volley ball. A stranger that brings the "wrong" equipment to any specialized activity is suspect of being ignorant at best and lacking common safety sense at worst.

If you where a known shooter who normally participated in the club shoots, then trying out a tactical shotgun may solicit a friendly joke but you wouldn't be looked at with suspicion of you mental stability.
 
mall ninja... yup.. you got me... I make due with what I have and that makes me a poser of some sort... I am just as comfortable shooting targets with a deer rifle as a bull barrel as a result, I am ignorant or my own inadequecies. You know what... sometimes I shoot paper with my Springfield 1911, the paper did nothing to me, but I like to know where it is hitting from time to time...guess since i am not using a ruger mark III for my target shooting I am a straight up mall ninja.

Ever heard of Practice, target acquisition, follow up shots, weapon familiarity, muscle memory? ringing any bells... seems to me shooting clays with a home defense weapon is damn good practice for the real thing... especially if you add in rapid reloads and lateral movement to a cover object... Some people just like to have fun at the range. Seems like someone like yourself fits the poser profile much more than I. As you will put them down for having the wrong gun for a fun day at the range...
 
Your "tactical" shotgun likely won't let you break many birds in trap, but I have had a LOT of fun using a set-up like yours in skeet (trap is where the birds go away from you FAST, while skeet is where they cross in front of you). Since most "tactical"-type SGs are open-choked, by the time they get out to 19 or 20 yards (which is where most trap shots are taken), you have a pattern with holes you could drive a truck through; in skeet, though, the vast majority of your shots are going to be close-in. If your club allows it, it's also a lot of fun to load up the tube and go to town with report-pulls; that is, as soon as you fire one shot, the puller launches another bird. If you can run 8 or 10 straight like that, there's no denying you know what you're doing with a shotgun.
 
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