So I go to my LGS to buy a shotgun
- Thread starter Jerry N.
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If you use shells that are faster than the speed of sound he won't hear anything. Larry
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Jerry N.
Member
Thanks for all the responses. Yes, a lot of practicing is in my future.
Probably another thread, but as for a round in the pipe, the set up I have with the ShotLock has a hanger that goes into the ejection port, so no, one is not in the pipe.
The gun is open and a round is in the "basket" ready to be loaded with the slide being racked into position. It's one motion and I'm more comfortable knowing that the gun is not fully loaded. Having it this way does not reduce the amount of loaded ammo. The magazine is full and the round that is queued up is no different than if it were in the pipe. The slide is back and pushing it fully forward will load the round. It does not take a full cycle to get a round loaded. Maybe not ideal by some standards, but unlock the ShotLock (fully mechanical, four buttons, twist a knob, go), push the slide forward and be ready. This seems like the most prudent situation for me given that grand kids are in the house from time to time.
Again, thanks for all the responses. I've enjoyed the read and the picks.
Probably another thread, but as for a round in the pipe, the set up I have with the ShotLock has a hanger that goes into the ejection port, so no, one is not in the pipe.
The gun is open and a round is in the "basket" ready to be loaded with the slide being racked into position. It's one motion and I'm more comfortable knowing that the gun is not fully loaded. Having it this way does not reduce the amount of loaded ammo. The magazine is full and the round that is queued up is no different than if it were in the pipe. The slide is back and pushing it fully forward will load the round. It does not take a full cycle to get a round loaded. Maybe not ideal by some standards, but unlock the ShotLock (fully mechanical, four buttons, twist a knob, go), push the slide forward and be ready. This seems like the most prudent situation for me given that grand kids are in the house from time to time.
Again, thanks for all the responses. I've enjoyed the read and the picks.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I think you have a good set up Jery N.
The reason I like to have one in the chamber is to ensure the first shot. Trying to load a round can lead to a malfunction. If my gun is going to malfunction, I'd at least like to get that first round off.
This is just my logic. I'm not trying to change anyone with it. Just explaining why I do what I do.
The reason I like to have one in the chamber is to ensure the first shot. Trying to load a round can lead to a malfunction. If my gun is going to malfunction, I'd at least like to get that first round off.
This is just my logic. I'm not trying to change anyone with it. Just explaining why I do what I do.
Also in a stressful situation you might drop the shell out of the open action as you acquire and move the gun. I would suggest a higher than little fingers can reach storage.
I have lots of shotgun experience. I have put thousands of rounds through my Benelli auto shotguns in the states and overseas in high volume situations.
I have no problem trusting my life on the reliability on my M4.
My son's brand new 870 jams all the time.
Unless a person has trained extensively with a pump, the Benelli auto wins hands down IMHO.
I have no problem trusting my life on the reliability on my M4.
My son's brand new 870 jams all the time.
Unless a person has trained extensively with a pump, the Benelli auto wins hands down IMHO.
Mainsail
Member
I was thinking about this yesterday because I would answer no to your question.
There are two reasons I keep the chamber empty on my auto shotgun.
First, it's in the safe on the third floor of my townhouse. The front door down on the ground level has a security bar that will significantly slow down any entry- it's not going to open with one or two kicks, and it won't be quiet.
Second, and more importantly, I really don't like leaning over the barrel while retrieving it from the safe. The long-guns sit on the floor of the safe, and the shotty is in the outermost position, so to get it out from under the pistol shelf I have to tip the barrel out- which points it directly at the moneymaker. My double-barrel coach gun has two in the chambers, but I store that one with the barrels down. I suppose I could do the same with the auto, but right now I'm comfortable with it.
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Mainsail
Member
A friend of mine bought an 870 and tricked it out- so we went out to put some shells through our pumps. My 590A1 ran flawless, his 870 jammed on almost every shot. He had to hold the pump handle and slam the butt on the ground to get the shell to come out. I've heard that certain low-brass shells don't play nice with the 870.
All that to say; make sure whatever you choose will run with whatever you're going to feed it.
2ndAmendmentNut
Member
A friend bought a brand new 18" 870 with the magazine tube that is even with the muzzle. That gun would not eject any low brass shells. After polishing a few tooling marks out of the chamber the gun ran like a charm with any ammo.
I've never had a problem with ejection on an 870 and own several including a tactical and a Marine magnum.
I've always been a pump guy. Have been dove hunting with a 870 most of my years and do very well. Picked up a 590SP Flex a while back for a very good price, couldn't turn it down.
1100's, 870's and 500 series shotguns are all hard to cycle if you shoot junk ammo, Winchester Universal with the short sliver heads is one of them.
We were shooting some of this junk opening weekend and was having issues even in the pumps, they were very hard to extract, you could forget it in an 1100. Did a little measuring with calipers after firing a round, the head mouth was expanding 15-20 thou locking the spent shell into the chamber...ridiculous.
1100's, 870's and 500 series shotguns are all hard to cycle if you shoot junk ammo, Winchester Universal with the short sliver heads is one of them.
We were shooting some of this junk opening weekend and was having issues even in the pumps, they were very hard to extract, you could forget it in an 1100. Did a little measuring with calipers after firing a round, the head mouth was expanding 15-20 thou locking the spent shell into the chamber...ridiculous.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Yeah, not a reasonable comparison. The M4 costs about $1,800 and the 870 (no doubt an 870 Express) is around $320.
Even so, if the 870 isn't ejecting or feeding ANY 12ga ammo easily, it's broken. Call Remington and get it fixed.
Rastoff
US Veteran
These are steel rather than brass. Steel is not as elastic as brass. Consequently, if the chamber is a little large, the steel expands upon firing and sticks in the chamber. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but that is why they stick. Polishing the chamber usually solves this issue with steel base loads.
shotgun693
Member
If you can not handle the recoil of a regular 12 ga then get some load recoil loads, they are still more powerful than a 20 ga, the heavier gun will absorb recoil better and 12 ga low recoil is cheaper than 20 ga. In Cowboy Action Shooting we used a lot of shotguns. Everyone agreed that a low recoil 12 ga was better than a 20 ga. And yeah, we shot a lot of heavy reactive targets with both 12and 20 ga.
RobertJ.
Member
Years ago I thought that racking the slide would be a good deterrent. Now I'm of the opinion that it wouldn't be as effective as me warning the intruder loud and clear exactly what my intentions are if I see him! And all I'd have to do is cover the top of the stairs while my wife calls 911.
I like the shotgun, but my go to gun at night is a snubby .44 Mag with a reduced load.
I like the shotgun, but my go to gun at night is a snubby .44 Mag with a reduced load.
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We carried 870s, chamber empty, in our vehicles when I was on the job. (Well, one guy didn't, but after his light bar was unceremoniously removed when it discharged he joined the club).
I can attest that several suspects found the sound of the slide being vigorously cycled unnerving and I definitely found it comforting.
Keeping the chamber empty and dry-firing before placing it in the rack put the slide in unlocked status and allowed the shotgun to be readied without feeling for the slide lock button.
A different situation from home defense, but it worked. I considered any psychological effect the sound had on a suspect to be nice bonus. It was never the reason for working the slide.
I can attest that several suspects found the sound of the slide being vigorously cycled unnerving and I definitely found it comforting.
Keeping the chamber empty and dry-firing before placing it in the rack put the slide in unlocked status and allowed the shotgun to be readied without feeling for the slide lock button.
A different situation from home defense, but it worked. I considered any psychological effect the sound had on a suspect to be nice bonus. It was never the reason for working the slide.
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