Practical Shotgun - Recommendations

[SilentKill]

Looking to add a shotgun to my cabinet for practical and 3 gun comps.

 

Been Looking at:

 

Mossberg 930 JM Pro

Benelli m2 or similar

Remington 1187

 

Any competitors out there with some advice or experience ?

[theshootist]

If you're shooting standard auto then the benelli would be a clear winner from those three.

[Harry136]

Go for a Benelli M2, make that 2 of them and spare parts if you want to get serious! Lots of gucci parts for the M2, just google nordic components or speed shooters for parts and you can get a few bits off Brownells or Ebay. Just don't get a side saddle as it upsets the whole inertia thing.

https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotguns/benelli/semi-auto/12-gauge/m2-170606110036006

[saddler]

Used sn 870 pump for a decade+

 

Now switched to a 50 year old Auto5

[Wingman]

Used sn 870 pump for a decade+

 

Now switched to a 50 year old Auto5

Can't beat an auto-5

[SilentKill]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

 

For practical do you not find 5 shot to low in terms of shot count against the bigger tubed guns or are you running extended tubes?

[Breastman]

I would advise seeking advice on a forum that is specifically for practical type shooting or leans more toward it/has more active members so F4i, UKPSA, Full-bore etc.

 

Make sure you speak with people who know what type of practical you're going to be doing and have significant experience BEFORE buying anything, especially a Benelli M2 as there are numerous variants, some of which have features that can bump you into different divisions/put you at a significant disadavantage.

 

Of the guns listed, the M2 is the obvious choice but you have the price to take into account as well as varying degrees of gunsmithing/upgrades to make it a 'race gun' - the minimum being a welded up/replacement cartridge lifter ~ £75 and a magazine extension ~ £80

 

I would have a serious look at the relatively new Stoeger M3K which comes more or less PSG ready and for almost 1/3rd the price of a standard M2!

 

In general;

 

• Don't buy camo guns
• Generally stay away from anything recommended in Gun mart!
• Don't buy a gun with a ported barrel or has a permanent muzzle brake
• Make sure the gun has an easily upgradeable magazine tube (this is especially important with the M2 - you want the Field Short Magazine version NOT the Long Magazine or 'practical/tactical' models as they have fixed capacities without gunsmithing)
• You need a minimum mag capacity of 9+1
• Don't, under any circumstances buy a Hatsan MPA!

[arm3000gt]

Beretta 1301 comp is quite popular in my club.

It depends on how serious you are and how competitive you want to be. If you intend to compete most weeks and are really serious then you need to ask for advice on one of the forums/sites suggested. If you are doing it more for fun then any of the ones suggested already would be fine from my experience.

To be competitive minimum 9+1 required after that depends on your loading technique and gun beyond that.

Benelli super nova in skilled hands is as fast or faster than most semi auto users, just to put that out there.

[nagantino]

The two guns most seen at competitions are the benelli M2 or the beretta 1301. The beretta 1301 is an awesome shotgun in looks and feel. I have never used the Benelli M2 but loads of international shooters use it. Not all semi autos are suitable for mag extensions, which are a must for Practical Shotgun. Select you're loading belt/system carefully.

[mossberg-operator]

Go and visit PSG sites, talk to lots of people, see the guns in action, visit youtube, lots of videos (loading technics) there, before buying anything. At one of my clubs, lots of the good shooters use Supernovas... but it depends on your size as well. I got short arms, can't operate it at speed...

Edited September 5, 2017 by mossberg-operator

[B391]

Have a look here https://www.gmk.co.uk/product/m2-sp/296

 

M2 SP RRP from £1,525

The brand new M2 SP is as exciting to shoot as it is to look at! A dedicated version of the M2, this gun is suitable for all Practical Shotgun disciplines.

 

Careful attention has been paid to the demands of this particular sport. The loading port has been enlarged and rounded to enable the rapid, almost instinctive insertion of cartridges into the chamber. Added to this the bolt and bolt release button have also been increased in size. This ensures easy, effortless working of the bolt, whose blued finish makes it significantly smoother to operate. The larger bolt release button also guarantees immediate closure.

 

The functionality of this gun will truly delight any practical shotgunner and improve performance.

[Sco77w]

 

Have a look here https://www.gmk.co.uk/product/m2-sp/296

 

M2 SP RRP from £1,525

The brand new M2 SP is as exciting to shoot as it is to look at! A dedicated version of the M2, this gun is suitable for all Practical Shotgun disciplines.

 

Careful attention has been paid to the demands of this particular sport. The loading port has been enlarged and rounded to enable the rapid, almost instinctive insertion of cartridges into the chamber. Added to this the bolt and bolt release button have also been increased in size. This ensures easy, effortless working of the bolt, whose blued finish makes it significantly smoother to operate. The larger bolt release button also guarantees immediate closure.

 

The functionality of this gun will truly delight any practical shotgunner and improve performance.

 

And if your pockets aren't quite as deep have a look at the Stoeger M3K. basically a Turkish version of the M2 race gun, if anything I think the loading port is cut slightly larger on the Stoeger.

[Mikaveli]

Benelli M2 used to be the default go-to gun (and in many circles still is).

 

Everyone I knew with one a few years ago would spend hundreds upgrading it to get it competition ready...

 

The newer SP looks like a good option OOTB, but it's still £1500.

 

The Beretta 1301 Comp would be my choice now (c. £950).

 

The Beretta is gas operated rather than recoil - but realistically this just means you need to clean it every 200 rounds or so.

 

...and yeah, Hatsan MPA's... good value gun, but frustrating to use for PSG - the loading gate costs you loads of time and there's no real way to fix it. Strictly for the casual shooter. If you only have a £ 500 budget - get a used version of something else.

[Scully]

I have a S1 Mossi complete with Ramline synthetic stock and a vented heat shield.

Looks the dogs doodahs but have only used it in the hide. Great fun.

[Gee.]

I used a Beretta 1301 and it was brill. M2 rules the roost tho.

 

Would also seriously look at a Stoeger tho as for the money they are also very good.

[theshootist]

Also bear in mind that shooting a pump is much more fun!