Thoughts on an entry-level 3-gun shotgun setup

[trigger hippie]

I guess people hate those "which shotgun should I get?" threads, so here's a "Should I get this shotgun?" thread instead, ha ha. (Sorry.)

So it's dawning on me that I may never have an opportunity to use the long-range optics on my Noveske AR. F-class is a nice thought, but 3-gun and action competition is really striking my fancy lately. I'm thinking I might sell my long-range glass, worth about $1100 with the mount, and get a shotgun setup to complete my 3-gun armament. This will be my first shotgun. I'm not planning to reload shotshell; I already have too much reloading infrastructure for 45 and .556, so given ammo costs, I'm thinking it'll be used almost exclusively for competition and competition practice.

I'll take an NRA first steps or basic shotgun class at some point in addition to shotgun specific competition classes, so I won't be fatally stupid, I should hope.

As a first-thoughts setup, I'm thinking:

$717
Mossberg 590A1 9-shot with ghost ring (model 51668): I've heard some bad things about Remington QA lately, so I'm thinking I'll go with the other classic standby pump. The 9-shot capacity and collapsible stock are nice, both upgrades I'd want to add to a pump shotgun of any other brand that I'd consider. Ghost rings, I understand, are mostly appropriate for the "tactical" (sorry, the "t" word) type of shooting that I'm considering.


$79.95
Vang comp 6-round velcro side saddle: I hear the Vangs are well regarded, though I kind of wish I could carry more...


$11.95
Maxpedition 6-shell carrier panel: Nothing I get from Maxpedition has sucked, and it'll fit right on my existing pistol belt


And for the balance I'm thinking some Winchester White box from Cabela's at $57.99 a case on sale, and a case or two of slugs - not sure what brand. Figure another $200 - $300 for a tactical class.

I'm thinking I won't need a sling for 3-gun competition, nor for last-ditch home defense; it would be nice to put one of my rail mount flashlights on my shotgun, but not utterly necessary.

I'm not super-familiar with shotguns, so I don't know if I should add any additional barrels or chokes.

Nor am I familiar with modern shotshell carrying methods - I've seen some LEOs lately using those sliding metal shotshell carriers that I recognize from competition. Are these favored over the older panel-type shotshell carriers I linked?

I note also from reading that bandoliers seem to be frowned upon as both impractical and dorky, though it's not immediately obvious to me as a noob why.

Any thoughts on my entry-level setup?

[SuperSet]

Hey man,
Since you're starting from scratch, you will want a semiauto for 3-gun unless you plan to compete in Heavy Metal Division, which requires a pump, .45 and iron sight .308. For other divisions, these are the shotguns to get, roughly in price order.

Mossberg 930 JM 22-24"
FN SLP Mk1 smooth bore 22"-24"
Remington Versamax Tactical 22"
Benelli M2 Field 21-22"

[SuperSet]

To carry shells, you're going to want to use either the 4 or 6 shell caddies from California Competition Works or AP Customs 4x4. Largely, this means you're going to reload weakhand.
Another loading option is the Load 2 vest by Mark Otto or other load 2 options from Carbon Arms.

[Bobby Hated]

i 2nd the advice regarding a semi-auto shotgun. definately a necessity.

and you definately dont want a ghost ring sight on the shotgun either. pistol grip is personal preference.

i also 2nd the advice as to getting shell caddies or a Load 2 vest.

forget about the side saddle shell carrier. it took me a year to realize you dont want more weight on the gun. carry the extra shells on your belt and save yourself the year it took me to get my head out of my *** to figure that out.

what area are you located in?

[trigger hippie]

I'm located in Bay Area. I was seriously considering a Mossberg 930 JM but damn if it isn't nearing $1k at every place I go to, which is nearly my entire budget for shotgun at this point.

I also saw a Mossberg 930 go down in a particularly ungainly fashion during a class I took - it would cycle the first shot fine, but had FTF's on subsequent shells - a firing pin malfunction, we were speculating?

On the other hand the Benelli M3 that a really, really nice guy at the class lent me to shoot with was like... butter, I can't even describe it. It was like shooting my Noveske AR in terms of trigger feel and recoil, except with MUCH MORE SPECTACULAR results

I've heard some people mention a particular configuration of Remington 1100 - turkey? I think? - as a budget entry level alternative.

[trigger hippie]

For shell carriers, you guys mean something like this from Cal Comp Works, right?



Interestingly enough, I think this is the type (if not the exact model) of the shell carriers that I've seen (really high-speed) LEO's wear.

I wonder at getting a used model - out of the entry-level semi-autos listed, which does this august body think would be the best buy in used condition?

[SuperSet]

Any of the models listed above in used condition would work just fine. $1K for the JM 930 is way overpriced. Riflegear sells these for under $650.
And yes, those are the caddies for weakhand reloading. Where do you think those high speed LEOs learned about those caddies? 3-gun!

[CK_32]

AA-12

[trigger hippie]

Hmm. Other than the garish color scheme, any thoughts on the Patrick Flanigan?



It seems to be less popular (and thus presumably more available) than the Miculek. I can't believe the mag tube is legal in CA I think this would put me in Open, though.

[Range Rat]

keep looking on gun genie. I picked op a JM Pro for 570 something. after tax,dros and shipping it was just under 700. PSA had pretty good prices as well. They sell out quick but can be found.

[mikajo39]

The 590A1 is an excellent shotgun but I'd go with a semi-auto to be competitive in 3-gun. Like Superset said 1k is way too much for a 930. Search around a bit more, check out bud's gunshop. However the 930s are excellent semi-autos. I'd probably hop on the 930 bandwagon

[SuperSet]

Hmm. Other than the garish color scheme, any thoughts on the Patrick Flanigan?



It seems to be less popular (and thus presumably more available) than the Miculek. I can't believe the mag tube is legal in CA I think this would put me in Open, though.

Magazine capacity is generally not restricted in Tactical or Limited Division. However, you generally start with 8+1 and then after the buzzer, you can load as many as you want.
An Open division shotgun generally has a red dot sight and you can use magazine fed rounds.
I haven't shot the Flanigan but if you're buying from scratch, I'd only recommend the ones listed. Shotguns are very finicky when it comes to the demands of 3-gun so those are the ones people are using after experimenting with the others.

[trigger hippie]

Hmmm. So after consideration by the forum it seems the ideal set up is:

Mossberg 930 JM with AccuSet choke tubes (22" or 24", whenever available), target price $650, figure $750ish after tax/DROS(?). I'm liking the vent rib on that - those were nice aiming features on the shotguns I handled.


California Competition Works Tac 6 carrier $27.50 - figure I shouldn't need more than 8+1 in shotgun, plus six in carrier, for a stage; I have a dump pouch as well. Or would it be unreasonable to get 2, perhaps?


Skipping a sling for the time being (though I could see a lot of good reasons for having one)... abandoning the bandolier idea as impractically mall ninja... using my existing pistol belt... I think this gets me off the ground.

With $100 budgeted for ammo that could leave $200 for unforeseen accessories or custom work. I understand folks do something involving welding the lifter gate (the lever thingy on the inside-bottom of receiver I'm assuming) and widening the shell-entry hole, whatever that's called. Is this the type of thing, however, where you should just shoot the crap out of it first, then decide what you want on it? I also wonder if I couldn't make an attempt to hillbilly engineer it myself with a welder buddy and a dremel tool.

[SuperSet]

Sounds good, man. For caddies, you'll want around 24 shells total on your body as that'll handle most stages. Take a look at the Load 2 method too using the Otto Vest. I know 3GunFunShooter has one so check out the next match at Sac Valley and try it before you go all in for the caddies. I practiced weakhand for years and never mastered it. The Load 2 method works out best for me. See if anyone at Richmond Rod Gun Club has one.

[prc77]

I have only seen one shooter at Richmond with the load 2 vest. Every one else weakhand loading from the belt. AP Customs 4x4's, CCW's look for the ones with the upgraded retention springs, much smoother.
Richmond is having a shotgun match on Sep 30th. The Calif. Action Shotgun Challenge. Meet the requirments to shoot the match and fill out the app. and have some fun. Great prize table too.