remington vera max recoil

[iyn]

The recoil of my 870 is getting to me in my old age. I was thinking of switching to a 20 gauge 1187, but i was told with the lighter frame recoil will be snappier. but I've been reading about the vera max by remington claiming it has lighter recoil. has anybody have experience in this?

 

[rcmodel]

A 20 ga 11-87 will recoil much softer than your 12 ga 870.

I have no experience with the new Versa Max.

But just about any gas-operated gun will be softer on the shoulder then a pump gun, or any other fixed breech action type.

As far as weight?
Remington's website says:
A 28" 12 ga 870 weighs 7 1/8 pounds.
It says a 26" 20 ga 11-48 weighs 7 1/8 pounds.

rc

 

[dmurdach]

Versa max tactical

I was given a Versa max tactical by my father. The recoil is pretty light on it, much better than my Mossy 500. But he gave it to me because he injured his shoulder and had trouble holding the weight of it for long periods of time. I think it is listed at 7.75lbs but it does feel heftier than that. He got himself a Franchi Affinity , it is a lighter gun (6.5lbs) and still has a pretty easy recoil.

 

[jmr40]

If you were to compare identical 12 and 20 ga 870's the 20 is exactly 1 lb lighter. With comparable loads the 20 will recoil just as much, maybe more. But the 1187 is a much heavier gun about 1-1.5 lbs heavier in the same gauge. Not only that, but you get the benefit of the gas recoil system that really reduces felt recoil.

If you can live with an 8+ lb shotgun an 1187 is a very soft shooting 12 ga., the 20 ga is extremely soft shooting.

 

[throdgrain]

Or buy an 11-87 with a synthetic stock, which I believe is quite a bit lighter and still soft shooting?

 

[oneounceload]

If recoil is your major concern, then weight is what you want to absorb recoil. Coupled with light and slow loads a gas gun will be your best bet. I have a Beretta A400 that I added some up front weight to make it 8#. It swings great, handles everything from my 3/4oz reloads to 3" factory loads. I just shot 175 factory loads running 1290 Thursday with no ill effects even with arthritis in one shoulder and a slightly torn rotator in the other.

 

[gamestalker]

I don't know about the Versa Max, but my daughter in law has an 1187 in 20 ga. synthetic stock, very light SG. I've shot it, as does she obviously, and even with 3" magnums it's a pleasure to shoot.

But I can certainly relate to your recoil issues. I've shot 12 ga. 870's most of my life, and as of the last few years, I've switched to 20 ga. for most uses. I still use 12 ga. for turkey, but I'm actually thinking of changing to 20 ga. for that also. This last spring turkey hunt was very painful for me, I just can't handle 12 ga. recoil any more. Funny thing though, I still do alright with high power rifle, but shotgun just knocks the snot out of me.

GS

 

[g.willikers]

The virtue of the Versa Max is supposed to be reliability with all kinds of loads, including very light ones that don't always work other gas operated guns.

 

[oneounceload]

But I can certainly relate to your recoil issues. I've shot 12 ga. 870's most of my life, and as of the last few years, I've switched to 20 ga. for most uses. I still use 12 ga. for turkey, but I'm actually thinking of changing to 20 ga. for that also. This last spring turkey hunt was very painful for me, I just can't handle 12 ga. recoil any more. Funny thing though, I still do alright with high power rifle, but shotgun just knocks the snot out of me.

First, get a gun that fits; second, go with a gas gun that fits; third shoot light/slow target loads................a 20, typically weighing a pound or more less will have more recoil than a 12 shooting the same level load

 

[krimmie]

I shot a round of sporting clays a couple weeks ago with a versamax, and I would say it is about the lightest recoiling 12 gauge I've shot, perhaps even less than my 1100 sporting.

 

[JimKirk]

I have shot the Versamax, 1187 20 ga, 870 in 12 ga and a 870 in 20 ga... and depending on the loads used ... from hardest recoil to lightest ... just my opinion ... everybody has at least one...

#1 870 12 ga.
#2 870 20 ga.
#3 Versamax ... this gun is fairly heavy ...
#4 1187 20 ga heavier than many 20 ga...