On Fighting Shotguns....
- Thread starter Dave McCracken
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ojibweindian
Member
Thanks, sm!
Very interesting drill, the one using tennis balls. Would never have thought of using tennis balls as targets.
Lots to chew on. Again, thanks!
Very interesting drill, the one using tennis balls. Would never have thought of using tennis balls as targets.
Lots to chew on. Again, thanks!
plumberroy
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2006
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- 789
sure do even the elastic buttstock cuffs full of shells change the balance I wear the butt stock cuff on my left wrist/forearm (I'm a lefty)I have big enough wrist it stays right there.
Roy
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
John, my friend.....
At this point in time I've owned and operated one 03, two 03A3s, and two sporterized 1917s.
I like the Springfields better, but the 17 is oneheckuva rifle also.
Let's agree to disagree on this, and return to the subject at hand.
Shotguns....
At this point in time I've owned and operated one 03, two 03A3s, and two sporterized 1917s.
I like the Springfields better, but the 17 is oneheckuva rifle also.
Let's agree to disagree on this, and return to the subject at hand.
Shotguns....
mljdeckard
Member
(I have a 1917 and I love it, but I very much want an 03A3.)
Badger Arms
Member
JShirley said:
I'll have to agree on all counts. Better, faster, stronger, more accurate, better stock (until the "C" stock) higher capacity, better sights, more of 'em, and no brittle receivers!
Tell me again, what is the advantage of the 1903? Oh, cool, you can adjust the sights better... whatever.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Looking back, I recall the triggers on the 03s were better, though I had converted one to a single stage so that can't count.
I had been taught early by a former infantryman to cycle a bolt action by hitting the bolt knob with my palm and not grabbing it with my fingers.
That worked better on the 03s than the 1917s, but it was even better on a Lee-Enfield Jungle Carbine I had back then.
I had been taught early by a former infantryman to cycle a bolt action by hitting the bolt knob with my palm and not grabbing it with my fingers.
That worked better on the 03s than the 1917s, but it was even better on a Lee-Enfield Jungle Carbine I had back then.
Periodically when I go to my local range with my 870 synthetic Express 18" vang Comp and Bear coat modified shotgun I practice reloading and shooting one shell at a time without putting a single shell in the magazine tube.
I may spend 2 hours hand feeding the barrel ramp in order to load by feel not sight while keeping my eyes on the threat. This also allows me to reload in low or no light situations.
When firing my shotgun I am always reminded what a devastating weapon I have in my hands and I always respect this much power!
I may spend 2 hours hand feeding the barrel ramp in order to load by feel not sight while keeping my eyes on the threat. This also allows me to reload in low or no light situations.
When firing my shotgun I am always reminded what a devastating weapon I have in my hands and I always respect this much power!
chudykGT
Member
Krab, you have a good idea there. When comparing the choke and 26" barrel of my buddies 870 vs my open choke 20" we would load one shell at a time only.
Right now I have a Remy 870 express in synthetic with a 2rnd mag extension. I have a sling for carrying on hikes, but I do admit having it on really annoys me indoors. It just wants to snag on everything.
Right now I have a Remy 870 express in synthetic with a 2rnd mag extension. I have a sling for carrying on hikes, but I do admit having it on really annoys me indoors. It just wants to snag on everything.
Luv my 1897
Member
In my book, simplicity is better.
I have an 1897 which is a great shooting, well balanced gun and a first time shooter can operate it with minimal instruction. Of course, it is somewhat of an out of date shotgun that you will probably not find in typical gun shops.
I am not particularly fond of Benelli shotguns because they are slightly more complex to operate (so I've heard). Plus I like to stick with American gun companies. If I were to purchase a new shotgun I would probably go with the Mossberg 590. My father has one and swears by it. I have shot it in many different configurations and it always performs well. I have not personally shot a Remington 870, so I really have no frame of reference for that gun, but I am sure they are just as reliable.
I would never buy a semi-auto shotgun due to not being able to cycle through to different rounds in the mag tube. Say you have you have two door breaching rounds then slug, 00buck, slug, 00buck... you get it, you can't cycle the second breaching round if the first does the job to get to the slug. You generally have to fire the second breaching round to get to the slug without complications (IE ejecting ALL cartridges accidentally) You can with a pump gun.
All in all, I would bet my life on my 1897 since I have it regularly checked and tuned by one of the best gunsmiths in the area (in my personal opinion) that can work on the beast. It hasn't failed me yet. Plus I run around two boxes of bird load every week or two to keep proficient. I use bird load for home protection due to the lack of over penetration. I don't want to accidentally shoot a slug or buckshot through my exterior house walls, possibly hitting someone outside.
I have an 1897 which is a great shooting, well balanced gun and a first time shooter can operate it with minimal instruction. Of course, it is somewhat of an out of date shotgun that you will probably not find in typical gun shops.
I am not particularly fond of Benelli shotguns because they are slightly more complex to operate (so I've heard). Plus I like to stick with American gun companies. If I were to purchase a new shotgun I would probably go with the Mossberg 590. My father has one and swears by it. I have shot it in many different configurations and it always performs well. I have not personally shot a Remington 870, so I really have no frame of reference for that gun, but I am sure they are just as reliable.
I would never buy a semi-auto shotgun due to not being able to cycle through to different rounds in the mag tube. Say you have you have two door breaching rounds then slug, 00buck, slug, 00buck... you get it, you can't cycle the second breaching round if the first does the job to get to the slug. You generally have to fire the second breaching round to get to the slug without complications (IE ejecting ALL cartridges accidentally) You can with a pump gun.
All in all, I would bet my life on my 1897 since I have it regularly checked and tuned by one of the best gunsmiths in the area (in my personal opinion) that can work on the beast. It hasn't failed me yet. Plus I run around two boxes of bird load every week or two to keep proficient. I use bird load for home protection due to the lack of over penetration. I don't want to accidentally shoot a slug or buckshot through my exterior house walls, possibly hitting someone outside.
Luv my 1897
Member
Stockless pistol grip=Bank robbery gun
Like the range master at my local gun club says, "A shotgun with a pistol grip only is good for one thing, bank robberies or as an entry tool." I could not agree more! I recently shot my father-in-law's shotgun with a non-recoil reducing pistol grip. We were putting slugs through it. My wrist was useless for a week afterward! :
Like the range master at my local gun club says, "A shotgun with a pistol grip only is good for one thing, bank robberies or as an entry tool." I could not agree more! I recently shot my father-in-law's shotgun with a non-recoil reducing pistol grip. We were putting slugs through it. My wrist was useless for a week afterward! :
Luv my 1897
Member
To krab???
I don't understand why you would only load one shell into the feed ramp. Is it hard for you to find the mag tube... directly under where you are hand feeding your shells? I personally think it would take less time to thumb two to three shells into the tube than hand loading each shell. let me know what you think the advantage is, I am not trying to bash you, more just understand other shooter's tactics.
~Bryan~
I don't understand why you would only load one shell into the feed ramp. Is it hard for you to find the mag tube... directly under where you are hand feeding your shells? I personally think it would take less time to thumb two to three shells into the tube than hand loading each shell. let me know what you think the advantage is, I am not trying to bash you, more just understand other shooter's tactics.
~Bryan~
I just finished reading this thread... and I have not seen much mention of a full stock vs. a full stock with pistol grip. My old Mossberg 500 is due for a new stock.. I bought it used and the stock was not in great shape. I was planning on replacing it with the same wood stock. However, I am planning to start doing some more tactical/practice shooting and was wondering what others thought of the advantages of a pistol grip/full stock. I realize this is may be primarily a preference... but I know, for me, most of my rifles have this set up.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Here's my thoughts on a stock with separate PG.
About 200 years of R&D have gone into shotgun stocks as they are. All of this has focussed on whatever will direct the shot quickly and consistently.
Standard stocks work. I find the separate PG stocks slower and a trifle awkward.
Yes, I have shot rifles well with separate PGs.
They're not shotguns.
For me, the standard stock works best.
But do not take my word for it. Note that all clays work done by the best shooters is done with standard stocks. Ljutic's Space Gun had a SPG stock and few are now found on the trap lines despite Ljutic's excellent designs and workmanship.
About 200 years of R&D have gone into shotgun stocks as they are. All of this has focussed on whatever will direct the shot quickly and consistently.
Standard stocks work. I find the separate PG stocks slower and a trifle awkward.
Yes, I have shot rifles well with separate PGs.
They're not shotguns.
For me, the standard stock works best.
But do not take my word for it. Note that all clays work done by the best shooters is done with standard stocks. Ljutic's Space Gun had a SPG stock and few are now found on the trap lines despite Ljutic's excellent designs and workmanship.
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chieftain
Member
RE: Full stock with pistol grip.
I think the military is using them just because they have converted all their small arms to pistol grip type stocks. Commonality, that's all. Not a bad idea as such.
As the military most often uses the shotgun for breaching and holding them properly for that duty is much easier in some cases with the full pistol grip stock.
I think that is as deep as it goes.
In my day we were using full stock w/o pistol grips in combat, but most often only the Company Gunny or platoon Sgt's had them. Effective when we were being overrun, useless in most fire fights.
When I did fight in built up area's (today's MOAT) once for a couple weeks in Hue, I did not see any shot guns deployed, but me and my guys were thrown into a pickup outfit.
I think it boils down to what works best for you.
Good luck, and let us know what you decide on and report back how good it works or what ever.
Fred
Stupid should hurt
BK
Member
I'd like a Dominion Outlaw. Maybe when this state sovereignty/firearms/interstate commerce things comes to a head, I can get a SBS without all the federal mumbo jumbo attached.
model of 1905
member
Dave, I'm not sure what shooting clays has to do with a fighting shotgun. I understand your point but I'll stick with my 930SPX with a pistol grip for SD/HD. Just works better for me. YMMV
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
1905, clays are usually moving fast on unknown vectors. A standard trap.skeet clay target is 4.1" in diameter, about the width of a good part of a human CNS.
If one can hit these in short time frames, bigger, slower, closer targets are gimmees.....
If one can hit these in short time frames, bigger, slower, closer targets are gimmees.....
lobo9er
Member
chieftain
My exact setup. Break action is as reliable as they come, backed up with a pump takes care of the HD situation.
RangerHAAF
Member
I have a Remington 870 Express pump that I have setup for home defense. I added too many ubiquitous accessories to it like a side saddle, magazine extension, etc. I don't know why I did this, maybe reading too many gun mags. It shoots great but it is so heavy. On the other hand my M1-Benelli is the best SG in my arsenal; it's light, shoots almost every kind of shell that's loaded into it and hasn't jammed yet. I carry it in my gun rack inside of my truck. The Benelli inertia system is the best shooting operating system that I've yet to encounter in an autoloading shotgun; it's also the cleanest.
spazzymcgee
Member
I agree with most of you that HD shotguns need to be simple, and reliable. But a sidesaddle never hurt anyone, right? I use a winchester 1300 defender with an 8 round magazine tube, and an 18 inch barrel. I also just put a tacstar side saddle on it. The sidesaddle is a necessity in my book because that extra 6 rounds could save my life. But anything else on a shotgun just makes no sense to me.
lobo9er
Member
Question for Dave McCracken whats your views on low powered scopes?
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