Does anyone have any experience with the Winchester SX2 Practical Mk 1 shotgun? I am particularly interested in its performance as a 3-gun shotgun. I think FNH makes an identical model called the SLP Mark 1. Any comments regarding experience with it would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
My first time at a USPSA match, a nice fellow let me use his SX2 Practical with rifle sights. He had it rigged up with roughly a dozen shells placed all over the gun in various 3 gun style holders, plus the 9 or 10 in the tube. It was big and heavy, though it became much less heavy as I reloaded off of the readily available shells. It shot like a house on fire, as the fiber front sight was easy to pick up and the weight helped manage the recoil. I wouldn’t want to have to carry it for any length of time, but a good sling will work wonders in that area.
I liked it enough from that one experience that I’ve had an eye open for one ever since. If someone offered me a trade today for my Benelli M1 Super 90 with ghost rings, I’d do it. And I love that Benelli.
I just picked one up 2 days ago from the local Gander Mountain for $759 NIB. The Winchester SX2 are still being produced under the Winchester name as they are made in Belgium by FN. There have been many rave reviews about them by 3 gunners. 12 rounds in 1.442 seconds or even 5 rounds in 0.49 of a second, I believe they are proclaimed by Winchester to be the fastest semi-auto shotguns in the world.
Tactical Iron Class
Winchester SX2 Practical MKII / Bushmaster M4 Type / Glock 19
Heavy Metal
Winchester 1300 Defender / DSA SA58 / Colt Government
I will be shooting it for the first time this weekend, if it runs as reliably as it’s Winchester Defender cousin above it will be great.
Cameron
I have several buddies who shoot them in 3-gun regularly and I have shot a few of theirs. Felt recoil is about like a Rem 1100 and it cycles faster than a Benelli M1S90 (according to the article in Front Sight a few years ago, the only test I’ve seen where actual numbers were generated).
One of the guns I’ve seen was finicky when it was new, but once some of the spring issues were sorted out, it’s been 100% like the others.
If I were buying a new shotgun, the Winchester SX2 Practical Mk I would be my first, second, and third choices. Fourth choice would be the Mk II.
Rhino is here! I didn’t know that.
Hey, Rhino!
That article he is referring to is online (or was about a year ago) at www.multigun.com and is titled "Speed Shotgun.
Barry McCown
Thanks, all, for the responses.
One more question: What is the difference between the Win. SX2 Practical Mk 1 and the Mk 2? The Winchester site only lists the Mk1. Thanks in advance.
Hey, Barry! Good to see you. Thank you for providing the link to the article in question.
Winchester SX2 Practical MKI
Ramped front Sight
Flip up Rear rifle type sight
Winchester SX2 Practical MKII
Elevated front sight
Removable Rear Ghost ring sight
It appears that Winchester, actually FN in Belgium, is producing the MKI for 2007 but not the MKII as that is what shows in Winchester’s catalog and website.
I prefer the MKII as it comes with a nice LPA Italian made rear ghost ring, which is consistent with the rear sights on the M4 or FAL. Both have the picatinny rail.
Cameron
Thanks. That is the only difference I could figure as well. I think I’d like the Mk 1 better so I could use it as a front bead only type sight with the option of flipping it up for slugs.
That’s exactly my thinking too. If you’re shooting shot, the ghost ring and taller front sight are not going to allow you to take advantage of the inherent nature of shooting a shotgun (i.e. using your eye as the rear sight, having a gun that hits where you’re looking when you have a good cheek weld, etc.). It’s too slow otherwise.
Luckily the rear sight is removable and then you can use the front sight and the picatinny rail as you would use a bead on any other SG…
I’ve been looking for an FN SLP for a month or two because it looks like FN has taking the SX2 Practical line. But, since they shortened the SLP MK2 to 18" and a number of reported issues surrounding slugs and not enough elevation I decided to get a MK1.
The tipping point was running into an SX2 MK1 close out for $700. The only difference I can find is the SX2 is 2 3/4" and the SLP is 3". No big deal since I don’t shoot 3".
For 3-gun, practical shotgun, and defense/combat use, 3 inch shells have nothing to offer beyond increasing felt recoil and perhaps testing the ejection ability of the gun with the extra quarter inch of length.
I know a lot of hunters swear by them, but it seems to me that if you can’t do it with a 2-3/4 inch shell, you need to get closer. 
Does anyone make a light for these for the forend?
Unexpectedly I ended up shooting three cases of clays today with the SX2. I anticipated shooting some heavy loads (which I forgot at home) so I installed the heavy piston but only used regular trap/bird loads. The gun functioned flawlessly and turned into the session whore getting passed around to everyone present.
I want one even more now!
update:
I shot a 10 stage round of sporting clays last weekend with the SX2. The competitors were shooting worked over over/unders, Berettas, and Brownings. This was only the second time I’ve ever shot sporting clays (and this gun) and did better than the last time (scoring several 9/10 stages). The SX2 isn’t really geared towards this event but I didn’t feel like it held me back equipment wise.
The best part was old men were staring and telling each other I should not be allowed to shoot with it. Wait until they see me hunt ducks and geese with it next month (with home made mag plug).
Don’t you love Fudds? :rolleyes:
I went dove hunting yesterday (Opening day) with the fuds. The SX2 with Rifle sights doesn’t work very well up close, but with #4 1 1/4 high brass I was absolutely kicking everyone’s ass hitting longer distance birds. Of the 5 guys out there I was the only one who was shooting anything shorter than 28". I was asked several times not to shoot so far out because I was taking other guy’s shots (the same bastards who took my close shots), it was all good though. I caught a ton of good natured shit from the fuds.
The heavy loads were loud enough to require ear plugs. The loads made everyone miserable but made me happy.
The place we went to was close to a water reclamation sight and massive flocks of dove flew in at dusk. In 30 minutes of shooting we hit our bag limit of 50. We’re going back to another site for more tonight.
As soon as I get some time to hit the range and shoot, I’m going to get a lot more experience behind the trigger of a Win SX2 Practical. Well, I may have to get a loan to buy some ammo, but that’s a different story.
As I posted in another topic, I’m looking for options for a shorter stock. I’d prefer to do a replacment and not worry over shortening the existing stock if possible.
I think the FN guns actually have a stock that is one inch shorter (13 inch LOP), but that won’t do me much good. I’d prefer to get down to at least 12 in. LOP, maybe even a little shorter. But I’d gladly settle for something 12.5 in. or less if that is all that is available.