Versa Max Tactical - break-in suggestions?

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bri

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I'm picking up a Versa Max Tactical for my father tomorrow, just curious if anyone has any advice on break-in? I took a quick look at the owners manual and didn't see anything specific.

I may just tell him that it needs at least 500 rnds down the tube until it's reliable for HD, then offer to take care of the break-in for him.

I also need to track down a Mesa Tactical "Urbino" stock to swap in. I see they recently posted on a bunch of boards that they were now available for the VMT, haven't found any on the interwebs though. I've got a message into them regarding availability...
 
FYI - The sales manager @ Mesa Tactical replied to my email just now (less than two hours) and said they're waiting on a few parts and expect to be shipping stocks for the VMT by the end of next week. She suggested ordering directly through their catalog, as distributors won't have stock as quickly.

Great response time, I may have to order up a stock for the old 870, as well!
 
I would just give it a thorough cleaning and start running it. Right out of the box, mine (field version) would reliably cycle 3/4 oz at 1225 fps and heavier. It was pretty amazing for a 3.5" chambered gun.

If they still offer the free cleaning and inspection, by all means take them up on the offer. They replaced a good number of parts when I sent mine in for cleaning and inspection.

Best of luck and enjoy the gun.

****ETA

If you haven't seen it, there is a monster VM thread in the Remington sub forum over at Shotgunworld. Lots and lots of information.
 
As to the other stock, is there something wrong with what came on it?

Probably nothing wrong with it if that's what you're into. I suppose some people are just more comfortable with a pistol grip and or shorter pull.
 
Probably nothing wrong with it if that's what you're into. I suppose some people are just more comfortable with a pistol grip and or shorter pull.
Bingo. Nothing wrong with the original stock. My father wants a pistol grip and the shorter LOP will be good for his size, as well.

Thanks for the replies, I'll post a quick update after I've hit the range.
 
Update with pics.

I installed the breacher choke for him, just in case he needs to get through some locked doors. :)

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stock.jpg


breacher_choke.jpg
 
SEMI-AUTO INITIAL BREAK-IN

Most important process you can do, first thing, with any new semi-auto firearm, is:

1) Clean it very thoroughly, making sure to remove all traces of the shipping preservative that is put on the gun. This preservative (which is often sticky and gooey) can directly contribute to disconcerting malfunctions, if it isn't removed before firing the gun. Such malfunctions, on the first shooting outing, do not contribute toward ownership "confidence" in a brand new gun!

2) Lubricate with proper weight of lubes, at all appropriate places. In colder weather, lighter-weight lubricants may be needed to assure reliable function.

3) It can be helpful to initially fire 50-100 rounds of heavier loads, to more forcefully seat moving parts that may need it, and to more quickly wear-in mating surfaces of parts that may need just a little extra help in mating smoothly after the manufacturing process. This step is probably not necessary with most well-made guns, but can contribute to fully reliable functioning on the first shooting outing and is, therefore, a nice extra measure to take in any event.

Then fire away with whatever loads you please. Unless the gun is defective in some way, it should run flawlessly, if you do steps 1-3 before any other use of the gun.
 
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I have never seen an owner's manual from a reputable manufacturer state that any number of rounds are required for a break-in.

Where is this posted please?
 
Oneounce,
I have to ask, what's your beef with people recommending to use heavier loads for a break-in? I recommended in another post and you disagreed with it. It's purely a recommendation, nothing more. I've used the same method for at least a dozen auto loaders and its always worked. I just can't see how it could hurt.
 
My beef is this is NOT the standard OP from a maker that I know, and I can't see the need for that expense, abuse to one's shoulder or to the gun for something that should not be necessary. You say it is recommended - ok, by what maker? If that is just your opinion, fine, then you might just want to add a "JMO" afterwards so folks realize this is not a normal recommendation from a maker. You could easily state they should fire some basic target loads as well - if there is any mating that truly needs to happen, using heavy loads won't do it any better than target loads. This is akin to saying you should break in your new car by driving it at high revs for the first hundred miles
 
Fair enough.

If that's the case we should just blow everyone off who asks about break-in and tell them to read their manuals....JMHO
 
oneounceload said this:
I have never seen an owner's manual from a reputable manufacturer state that any number of rounds are required for a break-in.

Where is this posted please?

I have been told by some manufacturers, when informed of malfunctions with new guns, that they would recommend firing several hundred rounds before considering that the gun has a problem. (Kimber and Kahr say that a break-in period is advisable with their guns that don't run properly from the get go).

Though I believe that if a firearm is manufactured as it SHOULD be, that a "break-in" process should not be necessary to have reliable functioning with SAMMI loads! It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway... some new firearms DO need a bit of break in before they settle down and become reliable. It shouldn't be this way, but it is with some guns.

The practice of firing heavier, rather than light loads, initially... has nothing to do with manufacturer's recommendation. Who said it did?

The concept of shooting heavier, rather than the lightest possible loads, in a new semi-auto firearm derives from a common sense, practical viewpoint. Regardless of the manufacturer, some guns are a little rougher than one might wish for in the finishing of mating parts. This can lead to a malfunction with very light loads. Shooting heavier, rather than lighter, loads for a brief period can get things settled in a little quicker. I've seen this with a variety of semi-auto pistols as well as with semi-auto shotguns. Isn't always needed, but sometimes this helps, and this simple effort can make a difference WITH GUNS THAT MAY NEED IT.. and it doesn't hurt a thing to do so. It helps the owner get to know the firearm better, with loads of varying potency.

No one says that YOU NEED to follow this practice. You do what you think is best for yourself! Especially if you think you know better than anyone else.

Personally, I like to do this practice with a new semi-auto firearm. Whether you choose to do it or not is purely your decision. Whether you do it or don't, like the idea or don't, is all just fine with me, nor do you have to justify to me what you feel is best. Enjoy shooting!
 
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when I bought my Vinci, I talked to the Benelli rep that happened to be in the store, and he recommended that I run a couple boxes of 3" magnum loads through it right off the bat to help break in the inertia system.
 
With regard to semi auto shotguns, some folks are especially interested in running very lite (7/8 oz to 1 oz.) loads for target shooting, clay sports and such. (I sure like this.) They may also want to use the gun for hunting. It is especially for these people that I suggested the heavier loads initially, which MAY help the very light loads run reliably.

It is well understood by many clay sports enthusiasts that 7/8 oz loads, sometimes 1 oz. as well, can be balky with some new semi-auto shotguns. Sometime the heavier loads can get the action worked in a tad bit quicker, making the very lite loads run a little bit more 'effortlessly', perhaps. In any event, it doesn't hurt anything and gives the owner a valuable reference point to how heavier loads feel and function in their new gun! It's ALL good. :)

Anyone who has shot shotguns over a period of time recognize that with use, the action becomes ever smoother and silkier... the wearing in of the action makes the gun cycle easier. This is a sweet spot with guns... I sure enjoy that smoothness that helps make functioning very reliable. And if its a semi-auto shotgun... cleanliness is next to godliness is next to reliability! ;)

Best thing to attaining action smoothness is to shoot the bejeezies out of your new gun and enjoy every minute of it!
 
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