Aguila Mini Shells

Sixgun100

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Saw an ad for these in the NRA American Rifleman Magazine. Anyone have experience with this ammo? Looks interesting for Pump Shotguns.
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They work OK, and feed in some pumps and not in others.

I wouldn't use them for defence.

Don't mistake them for low pressure rounds.
 
I have a box supposed to arrive Tuesday. After researching more Sportsman Guide has a 2 inch shell by NSI, called the minibuck that is supposed to load reliably. Those should be here this week also. Range report on my 870 results next weekend.
 
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I have been using them in my 12" Remington 870WP shotguns for decades.

In the older Remington 870s, the elevator had to be changed out to prevent double feeding. Remington made a special part for the Remington 1 3/4" shells

I have heard that they work fine in the newer 870s, but I do ot own one to test

The short shells work without any changes in the 14" Mossberg Marine 590s.
 
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That 25 Gram slug works out to....

.88 oz. or 385 grains at 1300fps at the muzzle.

A lot faster than a .38 special.......
but a lot slower than a rifle.

Very interesting.
 
I have an old single barreled shotgun in 12 guage and these would be perfect. I cut the barrel down to 21" so its basically a cylinder bore shotgun. Frank
 
Thank you for the replies. I have an older 870 from the late 70’s and a Winchester 1300 Stainless Marine, so your information is very helpful!
 
I've used them in a Winchester Defender without any problems. They are pricey though.
 
The short shells work without any changes in the 14" Mossberg Marine 590s.

I can't get 'em to cycle regularly in my Shockwave, even with the Opsol adaptor. It seems to be dependent upon the force with which the action is worked. I finally gave up and bought 2 1/4" shells, which cycle just fine and still give you one more.

The only shotgun I know of that reliably and consistently feeds Mini Shells is the KelTec . . .
 
My Mossburg Shockwave has worked great with the OpSol adapter.
 
I’ve shot them. Recoil is exceptionally low. The payload and the power are exceptionally low, too. And they don’t function in most shotguns without dubious modification.

They’re a gimmick and a joke for self defense. Get standard reduced recoil if you can’t handle a shotgun. If you can’t handle reduced recoil loads, then you need to find a different weapon.
 
I think they're perfect for self defense, as the Shockwave sits beside the bed, but that's my situation. They're are many, many others who think the same. And of course, there are those who prefer to stay away from them.


I've personally shot a lot of them. I know first hand what they're capable of. Since I do have a good stock of minis, I think they'll last quite a while.
 
The standard length shell have worked well for a very looooooong time I see no reason to change.

I have a Mossie (590) and that will use the shorties from what I have heard.(I will not try)
My other Mossie (590M) with the detachable 10 round magazine, best bet will not be dependable. (again I will not try)

As both large animals and humans could be a problem up here I will stick with what I know and trust.
 
With the OpSol adapter in place, the slugs are accurate enough and feed well in my Mossberg 500 ATP. They tended to spin enough on ejection to get caught in the ejection port - it's one of those things I'll fuss with when I retire to see if I can clear it up. Presently, while they feed utterly reliably, I wouldn't consider them for defensive use from my pump.






My experience does not mirror JayFramer's, though. I was getting over 1200 fps with the slugs from the Mossie, which would leave a mark and which was a lot more pleasant on my end than the high-brass manly man slugs. I'll never ask Gina to shoot a 3" 12-bore slug again, but I'd have her shoot these things all day, every day.


Not spending a lot of time, just tromboning the Mossberg and its cludgey trigger
 
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They don’t cycle in my 2016 870. Wanted them just to see if I could fit one in along with 4+1 2 3/4”. Didn’t fit but could probably trim a little off of the spring if I wanted. They don’t cycle regularly though. I should say the problem is ejecting them. They load fine, just don’t fully eject for some reason.
 
They appear to be more of a novelty marketing item than anything useful. I can't imagine a practical need for such shells that couldn't be better filled with a 2 3/4" shell. Reduced recoil means little more than reduced effectiveness.
 
We've sold quite a few of them a the shop. ( slugs, buck and 7/1/2's) . Those whose guns they work in love them. Those with guns that won't feed them don't. For me, I'd have to run ALLOT of these through my pump gun before I had faith enough for home defense.

As for power, some will argue they aren't that potent but keep in mind that
that a 386 gr slug moving at 1300 fps is nothing to sneeze at. In fact, ME equates to the 1440 ft lb range which is allot more than your average .44 magnum round would produce.
 
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Fed them through my Kel Tek and loved them. Not good for defense? I call BS. In a house or appt. they would be perfect. Delivers way more punch than any handgun can and the low recoil makes the second shot immediately available if you should need it (like you somehow missed with the first.) Perfect combo with the KSG, load one tube with slugs and the other with buck and 1 in the chamber makes 23 rounds in a gun not much bigger than a 4 D cell maglight.
 
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