3 Gun Noob Shotgun Advice

[HokieMike]

Greetings all. Long time lurker and new member. At the risk of sounding like an AA meeting, I'll start with my (brief) story. I have been a casual pistol and shotgun shooter for a number of years. After really enjoying shooting ARs with a few friends, I bought an AR a few months back. The black rifle disease started! In the course of feeding that addiction, I stumbled on the world of 3 Gun competitions. I came to the Black Creek shoot in March, and was easily sucked into the idea that I might want to get involved with that sport. Which leads me to a shotgun question: What to buy to get started in tactical/3 gun shotgunning? I own a 28" barrel 870, so I could buy a shorter barrel and a mag tube for not too much. I have also been looking at semi auto options. I have a good price on a used 1100 Comp Master, but have been hesitant to pull the trigger with some of the mixed reviews I have read online. I am a noob, so I know I don't need 14/100 cycling time, but a good reliable weapon would be nice. Input would be appreciated.

Also, at the risk of pushing this pos even longer, any of you Black Creek guys that could offer a noob advice on getting started in 3 gun in general and at BC3G specifically would be greatly appreciated. Mike

[Buck]

I’m not a 3-gun guy; but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...

I would suggest that you hunt around and get a nice used 20 inch IC barrel with rifle sights for your 870, and an inexpensive + 3 extension, and set of lightly used synthetic speed feed stocks... I would then use your 870 until you are so good at 3 gun, that a pump action is slowing you down and keeping you from winning matches, then and only then would I look into a semi auto...

But I would not go crazy buying all new guns when you are still testing the waters...

Just my .02

Buck

[rhino]

If you can get the used Competition Master for a decent price and (more importantly) you can verify with certainty that it functions 100% before you buy it, then it will serve you well with proper maintenance.

If you're going to buy a new shotgun for 3-gun (or even defense), I think the best choice is the Winchester SX2 Practical Mk I or the FNH version of the same. It's the fastest cycling self-loader on the market, and recoil is comparable to a Remington 1100 or 11-87, which means that it's significantly less than that of a Benelli. It comes ready to race, so no modifications are necessary.

Another option would be an older Remington 1100 (from when they used to make them "right"), say in the late 1970s, then have it built by a competent someone to meet your needs and preferences. That too will serve you well.

If you want to stick with your 870 for now or indefinitely, your best bet is to get a 21 inch smoothbore slug barrel with rifle sights that is threaded for choke tubes, plus a magazine extension that holds eight rounds in the tube, plus one in the chamber.

[Failure2Stop]

=If you're going to buy a new shotgun for 3-gun (or even defense), I think the best choice is the Winchester SX2 Practical Mk I or the FNH version of the same.

These are what I am waiting for (haven't found any that I have been able to look over that weren't overpriced).

Question- how do they handle game loads? I assume that since they are marketed to the 3-gunner, they work, but I am not going to assume with a nearly $1K purchase.

[rhino]

These are what I am waiting for (haven't found any that I have been able to look over that weren't overpriced).

Question- how do they handle game loads? I assume that since they are marketed to the 3-gunner, they work, but I am not going to assume with a nearly $1K purchase.

I've only shot a couple of them a few times ... so I don't know the answer to your question. It's moot for me because I use #4 field loads for 3-gun and multi-gun.

[signalzero]

I’m not a 3-gun guy; but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...

I would suggest that you hunt around and get a nice used 20 inch IC barrel with rifle sights for your 870, and an inexpensive + 3 extension, and set of lightly used synthetic speed feed stocks... I would then use your 870 until you are so good at 3 gun, that a pump action is slowing you down and keeping you from winning matches, then and only then would I look into a semi auto...

But I would not go crazy buying all new guns when you are still testing the waters...

Just my .02

Buck

+1 and use the money you save right now for lots of practice ammo!

PS: I quite staying at Holiday Inn Express cause they won't let my dog stay and he is cleaner than some of the people they do let stay...lol

[Robb Jensen]

Buck gave you some great advice.

If you do eventually decide on a semi-auto and you might find yourself shooting USPSA Multigun rules. I'd highly recommend a FN SLP Mark 1 or a Benelli M2.

After my two big 3gun matches this year (Area 8 Multigun match and the Carolina Tactical Invitational) I plan to sell my Benelli M1 and get a FN SLP Mark 1.........it shoots that nicely.

[rob_s]

After my two big 3gun matches this year (Area 8 Multigun match and the Carolina Tactical Invitational) I plan to sell my Benelli M1 and get a FN SLP Mark 1.........it shoots that nicely.

That rib on top looks like it's begging for an H-1/T-1.

[rob_s]

That rib on top looks like it's begging for an H-1/T-1.

For other use, I like the look of the Self-Loading Police Shotgun (SLP) which similarly looks like it's dying for a Micro. What do you think of the action and such for defensive, non-gaming, use? Thoughts on load variety and such? Ability to handle low-recoil and stout defensive ammo?

[Robb Jensen]

I have a few friends with Winchester SX2s and FN SLPs. The SLPs come with two pistons a light and a heavy, even with the heavy the guns run really good even with China-Mart bulk pack Federal #8s an #7 1/2s birshot.

My one friends SX2 runs on everything except for Winchester ammo.....weird.

Yes a T1 on that rail would be awesome, but for USPSA rules Tactical class I can't have an optic on the shotgun. But for 'outlaw' 3gun at some places I could.

Those are some really soft shooting shotguns, cycle very quickly and they are well balanced and have a big loading port.....all good for competition.

For defensive use they would still be good but being a piston gun they would need to be kept clean and oiled. But they do run well dirty and aren't as finicky as Remington autos.