Shotguns

There's a whole lot of new products coming out at the end of 2015, well in advance of the massive outpouring that's introduced every new calendar year at the S.H.O.T. Show. Here's a look at just a few of the new products I've seen that may be interesting to gunnies:

ARES Defense Now Shipping MCR Sub-Carbine. ARES Defense Systems is now shipping its MCR Sub-Carbine. The ARES MCR Sub-Carbine is a lightweight, semi-auto 5.56 NATO-caliber firearm featuring gas-piston operation, a 3-second quick-change barrel system, and a left-side folding stock assembly that telescopes for adjusting the length of pull. The charging handle is ambidextrous and interchangeable with standard AR15/M4 charging handles, to suit user preference. Suppressor capable and able to be fired with the stock in any position, the MCR has an edge on many of the folding-stock and telescoping PDWs. The internals are billet machined from aircraft-grade alloys and heat-treated. Aluminum components are Type III, Class 2 hard-coat anodized to MIL-A-8625F for maximum corrosion and wear protection. Also available to complement the MCR Sub-Carbine is an optional SKB briefcase with custom-cut foam insert that holds the firearm, six 30-round magazines, a cleaning kit, operator's manual and storage space for a suppressor or other accessories.

Meeting or exceeding the needs of modern day double-gun enthusiasts seems to be a driving factor in some of the recent offerings by firearm companies that stretch the bounds of innovation. Tagging along on this trek into a bold new world, we have responded to reader requests by examining three 12-gauge double-gun selections that range from old school to double gun plus to double gun on steroids. The three shotguns in this test are the TR Imports Silver Eagle side by side; the Chiappa Firearms Triple Threat three-barrel break open; and the Standard Manufacturing DP-12 double-barrel pump action. All three shotguns carry a price tag in the moderate to high price range — $1297 for the Silver Eagle; $1,599 for the Chiappa; and $1699 for the DP-12. Because they are all double guns of one sort or another, we tested them both as self-defense firearms and as possible clay busters, and we graded them for both categories in what certainly may be one of the most unusual match ups in Gun Tests history.

The distinction between a shooter's tools and a shooter's toys is sometimes hard to determine and often depends upon an individual's access to expendable income. In the arena of double-barreled shotguns, this distinction has been kicked into what some would call novelties, with the introduction of smokepoles that stretch the bounds of creativity.

The three 12-gauge shotguns we tested included a TR Imports Silver Eagle Ptarmigan side by side; a Chiappa Triple Threat three-barrel break open; and a Standard Manufacturing DP-12 double-barrel pump action. The DP-12's action was to pump once, then shoot twice.

Evaluating the shotguns, we gave equal footing for their effectiveness on both paper and clays. Admittedly, there was a little head shaking and comments of "What were they thinking?" in some cases, but each of the shotguns was treated with equal respect on the range. For our shooting evaluations, our test ammunition included Winchester 2.75-inch Sabot Slugs pushing 400-grain slugs at 1450 fps; Royal Buck 2.75-inch loads of nine pellets of No. 00 buckshot with an average muzzle velocity of 1345 fps; and Remington ShurShot Heavy Dove 2.75-inch loads of 1 1/8 ounces of No. 6 shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1,255 fps. In addition, we tested each firearm on clay targets with Nobel Low Recoil 2.75-inch loads moving 7/8 ounce of No. 8 shot at an average muzzle velocity of 1200 fps. We encountered no misfires with any of the loads, although the Silver Eagle failed to eject several of the heavy loads during the self-defense testing. Here are our findings:

Contributing Editor Ralph Winingham reviewed two break-action 20 gauge side-by-side shotguns in the March 2015 issue.

There is a comfort zone for shooters of all shapes and sizes, even when handling a tactical shotgun designed to stop a threat quick, fast, and in a hurry. The recoil produced by short-barreled, multi-round shotguns is often a major element in the purchasing decision - with quite a few potential home- and self-defense shotgun owners choosing to downsize from a 12 gauge to a 20 gauge to lessen the guns' shoulder shock for all members of a family.

At the suggestion of a reader, we ventured into the world of sub-gauge self-defense shotguns by pitting a new entry into the market, a Legacy International Escort Gladius Magnum semi-automatic 20 gauge, against the veteran Remington Model 870 pump action that is offered in a tactical 20 gauge with an adjustable stock. While 20-gauge tactical shotguns can be harder to find than their larger 12-gauge cousins, these two models seem to be readily available. The Legacy Escort Gladius Magnum carries a price tag of $579 while the Remington Model 870 sells for $529, making them a fairly close match up on price.

Proper and effective close-quarters action with a tactical shotgun in real life is a combination of smooth handling and reliability, plus a heavy dose of confidence that the firearm will do its job in the right way at the right time. The Hollywood versions of never-empty short-barrel shotguns blasting a bad guy so hard that the impact sends him flying through a window are simply unrealistic. Anyone who believes the Hollywood depictions might be accurate should look up Newton's Third Law of Motion: "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."

That said, felt recoil from the short shotguns can be quite unpleasant, particularly when using heavy loads of buckshot or slugs. Anticipating this potential shoulder punch can cause a shooter to flinch or move off target. Because of the often-uncomfortable shoulder shock from touching off a 12-gauge load, some self-defense authorities recommend shooters consider switching to sub-gauge shotguns as their self-defense tool of choice. For close range shots normally encountered in the self-defense situations, dropping to a 20 has little or no reduction in stopping power, while there can be a reduction in recoil.

As Carl W., one of our readers, brought to our attention, Legacy International has just released a new tactical shotgun that offers close-quarter shooters a sub-gauge option at a moderate price. The Escort Gladius Magnum semi-automatic 20 gauge features many of the bells and whistles favored by tactical devotees and is available for an MSRP of $579.

To put the new semiautomatic to the test, we matched it against a veteran pump-action shotgun, the Remington Model 870, which is one of the most popular versions of tactical shotguns in the field today. Our Remington 20-gauge pump also featured an adjustable stock and extended magazine, retailing for $529.

While high demand and low supply limited our selection of 20-gauge ammunition (we found empty spaces on gun store shelves for many 20-gauge rounds), we were able to scrounge up a few boxes for our range work. Our test rounds included Winchester Super X 2.75-inch loads of No. 3 Buckshot (20 pellets) with an average muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps; Winchester Double X 3-inch turkey loads of 15⁄16 ounces of No. 4 shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps; and for the slug work, we used Fusion 2.75-inch, 7⁄8-ounce Sabot Slugs with an average muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps. For our function fire and clay target testing, we used both Federal 2.75-inch Game Loads with 7⁄8 ounce of No. 71⁄2 shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1,210 fps and Winchester Xpert 2.75-inch Game/Target loads with 3⁄4 ounces of No. 6 steel shot moving at an average of 1,325 fps.

Patterning tests with the buckshot and birdshot loads were conducted on Birchwood Casey Eze-Scorer 23-inch by 35-inch Bad Guy targets set at no more than 10 paces; and slug comparison tests were conducted on Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C 12-inch by 18-inch Eze-Scorer BC Transitional targets set at 20 yards.

In addition, we also conducted field tests with a recent introduction into the optics market — a LaserLyte Center Mass laser —as part of our review of the two shotguns. The laser sight easily installed on the test shotguns and featured both a single green dot (better in daylight) and a Center Mass ring of eight green laser dots around a center dot (designed for low-light conditions). The CM-K15B model we were provided is a hybrid aluminum-and-nylon military-style unit that retails for $220.

Here are our findings:

One of the budget brands frequently mentioned is Yildiz, Turkish-made shotguns which are available through Academy Sports outlets. So for this adventure into low-end shotguns, we selected a Yildiz SPZ ME 20 gauge and put it up against a substantially more expensive Mossberg International Silver Reserve Bantam, $760.

For our shooting evaluations on both the clay-target range and at the patterning board, our test ammunition was Federal Game 2.75-inch, 2.5 dram equivalent loads packing 7⁄8 ounce of No. 71⁄2 shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1210 fps. We should note here that we had several misfires with the Yildiz, while the Mossberg touched off all of its shots without a hiccup. On the down side, recoil was noticeably higher when using the Mossberg both on the range and at the patterning board, although we would not consider the 20-gauge kick unacceptably excessive. Here are more of our findings:

Browning continues to expand the Citori 725 target shotgun line-up with the new Pro Sporting and Pro Trap models.

There are times when a potential owner of a reliable self-defense shotgun might want to spend a little more money on upgraded features for the sake of comfort or convenience, so we ventured into the world of extra bells and whistles in this test of two higher-end tactical self-defense shotguns. This is the second part of a four-pack of pumps our team put through their paces. For this test we picked a pair of self-defense firearms in the $700 to $775 MSRP range to see how they would stand up to a thorough examination on the shooting range. The 12-gauge shotguns selected for this review were a Mossberg Model 590 Magpul with an adjustable stock listing for $773, and a Tristar TEC-12 capable of either pump action or semiautomatic fire that retails for $689. Both retail for around $500.

While budget is a key factor in the minds of many shooters as they ponder the purchase of a self defense shotgun, there are times when added features are too good to pass up despite the added cost.

Firearm manufacturers are well known for tossing in a few bells and whistles to make their product a little more attractive. The hope is that buyers will be willing to shell out a few dollars more for a feature that will make their new firearm more accurate, more comfortable, more attractive, etc. Sometimes the added features prove to be worth the additional cost, and sometimes the bell or whistle is just eye candy.

As noted in last month's review of two pump actions, self-defense shotguns fall into a category of rarely used but necessarily reliable firearms. When they are put into play, the shooter should be able to touch off consistently accurate, perfectly functioning rounds in what might be a life or death situation. There is a wide selection of these types of firearms carrying a price tag of $500 or less, most of which are so similar that distinctions in appearance and handling are minor at best.

In this match-up we selected a pair of what we would consider higher-priced shooting tools: The Mossberg Model 590 Magpul was outfitted with a fully adjustable stock and extended magazine retailing for $773. The Tristar TEC-12 was capable of either pump action or semiautomatic shooting, and it is available for $689.

Using the same type of shotgun ammunition that was fired through last month's shotguns, our test rounds included Rio Royal Buck 2.75-inch loads moving nine pellets of No. 00 buckshot at an average muzzle velocity of 1345 fps, and Winchester Reduced Recoil Winlite 2.75-inch loads pushing 0.9-ounce 400-grain sabot slugs with an average muzzle velocity of 1450 fps. Our function-fire and cycling rounds were Remington ShurShot Heavy Dove 2.75-inch loads with 11⁄8 ounces of No. 6 shot moving at an average of 1255 fps.

For shots in close-defense simulations, we fired test loads at Birchwood Casey Eze-Scorer 23-inch by 35-inch Bad Guy targets and the identically sized Targets Online paper images of potential threats. For slug shots at 25 yards, we used Champion VisiColor Zombies 12-inch by 18-inch Slasher Tusks targets. Only head shots were counted as acceptable results with the slug ammo because that is what Hollywood tells everyone is the way to dispatch a zombie. Here are our findings:

At the request of a reader, Contributing Editor Ralph Winingham reviewed two break-action 12 gauge shotguns in the April 2015 issue.

Specific-use firearms such as tactical shotguns that are designed for self-defense situations are held to a higher standard than other shooting tools. If a self-defense shotgun fails to function or inadequately performs at the wrong time, there is no such thing as a do-over. Admittedly, most of these shotguns will never be fired in a life-or-death situation and generally don't see a lot of time on the shooting range. That does not mean the tactical shotgun owner does not demand the shooting tool, when it is necessary, handle its duties in an efficient and effective manner.

This is the first of two tactical pump-action shotgun evaluations. The next head-to-head match will feature a Tristar TEC-12 Pump/Auto 12 gauge listing for $689 against a Mossberg Model 590 Magpul Pump 12 gauge listing for $773. In that review, we will also name Our Pick of the four shotguns put through exactly the same test drills.

For this test, we selected a couple moderately priced pumps to see how they fared on the shooting range and whether they met the high standards of a firearm that might mean the difference between life and death. The two 12-gauge pump-action shotguns, both available for less than $500, that we put through their paces are the Weatherby PA-459 TR with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $499 and the CZ-USA Model 612 HC-P 12 gauge (last reviewed in October 2013) listing for $366.

When a shooter absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt has to stop a threat, he or she can't have doubts about whether a firearm will function in a proper and effective manner. Not only does the self-defense firearm have to perform well, a shooter must have confidence the pattern will be placed on target in an effective manner. Also, a key element in any self-defense training is that the shooter is responsible for any lead that comes down the barrel in a shooting situation. Wounding or killing an innocent bystander with an errant pellet or slug is simply unacceptable on both moral and legal levels.

Spending time on the range to know how well a shotgun performs is a necessary factor with self-defense shotguns. Understanding that a typical tactical firearm packs quite a punch on both ends, we endured quite a bit of shoulder shock in conducting evaluations on these firearms. We encourage individuals who purchase these firearms do the same so they will become familiar with their specific self-defense tool.

Our ammunition for putting the two close-quarter shotguns into play included Rio Royal Buck 2.75-inch loads moving nine pellets of No. 00 buckshot at an average muzzle velocity of 1,345 fps; and Winchester Reduced Recoil Winlite 2.75-inch loads pushing 0.9-ounce 400-grain Sabot Slugs with an average muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps. In addition, our repeated function-fire and cycling rounds as part of the testing sequence were Remington ShurShot Heavy Dove 2.75-inch loads with 11⁄8 ounces of No. 6 shot moving at an average of 1,255 fps.

Rather than the standard patterning board used for our other shotgun testing, we utilized Birchwood Casey Eze-Scorer 23-inch by 35-inch Bad Guy and the same size Targets Online paper images of potential threats for our shots in home-defense simulations; and Champion VisiColor Zombies 12-inch by 18-inch Slasher Tusks targets for slug shots at 25 yards. On the zombies, only head shots were counted as acceptable results with the slug ammo. Here are our findings:

For the May 2015 issue of Gun Tests, Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine assembled a team of shooters to test a 28-gauge Beretta A400 Xplore Action semi-auto.

Unlike many other semi-automatic shotguns, including the Legacy Pointer tested against it, the Xplore Action produced very little sensation of action cycling.

The Beretta's pistol grip was fashioned with fine, consistent checkering. The extra plate and shims were for tuning the gun to the shooter. Checkering around the trigger guard was a nice touch.

Skeet shooting is probably the most popular of all shotgun sports, perhaps because in the opinion of many dedicated upland-bird hunters, skeet is the game that offers the most realistic preparation for a day in the field. This alone may be reason enough to play, but for anyone who has tried big-time tournament skeet shooting, finding the right equipment can lead to sticker shock. Here's why.

Skeet tournaments require at least four rounds of shooting with four different gauges of shotguns. If you've ever tried to sign up for a tournament expecting to compete in only the 12-gauge events, your entry will likely be relegated to a wait list behind all the competitors who are ready to shoot all four gauges. The serious tournament competitors must have a complete stable of shotguns, including 20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410 bore, as well as a 12 gauge. Some shooters opt to have their 12-gauge shotgun precision fit with tubes that convert the bore to fire the full list of smaller gauge rounds. But there's another way to solve the problem, and it's one that lead us to a whole new field of pleasure.

After learning that we could compete with a 20-gauge shotgun in the 12-gauge round and shoot the 20-gauge events with a 28-gauge shotgun, we decided to try shooting all but the .410 events with a 28-gauge shotgun. As a result we found out that we liked shooting 28-gauge shotguns a whole lot, specifically the semi-automatic ones. We chose to shoot a semi-automatic rather than an over-under shotgun for two reasons. First, top-quality semi-automatic shotguns are still much less expensive than many medium-priced over-under shotguns. Maybe its because less hand-craftsmanship and fitting is required. Second, we have a variety of people on staff, and semi-automatic shotguns are easier to fit. The angles of cast and drop on the semi-autos can be changed to suit each shooter quite easily with the use of shims and templates installed between the receiver and the buttstock. Furthermore, it is well known that recoil from 28-gauge ammunition is relatively mild, so fatigue or injury over the course of a long practice session is far less likely than from the effects of 12-gauge or even 20-gauge ordnance. That goes about double for the gas operated semi-automatic shotguns that bleeds pressure from ignition and dampens recoil.

The two semi-automatic shotguns we chose for this evaluation fit different ends of the price range in this category. The Turkish-made Pointer shotgun is imported by Legacy Sports International of Reno, Nevada and carries a suggested retail price of $701, but typically sells for about $650. The Pointer line of shotguns, both semi-automatic and over/under, is not to be confused with the Japanese-made Charles Daly products of the same name from several years back.

The Beretta A400 Excel Action manufacturer's suggested retail price was $1600, but we found one for $1398 MAP (Manufacturers Advertised Pricing) at the Pro Shop at American Shooting Centers in Houston (AMShootCenters.com). The Pointer was capable of chambering 3-inch as well as 2.75-inch shells, but the Beretta's barrel listed only 2.75-inch loads. Otherwise, both guns featured gas operation, walnut stocks, alloy receivers, a rubber-like butt pad, 28-inch ribbed barrel with light-gathering fiber-optic beads, crossbolt safeties, and magazine cutoffs so the bolt need not be worked to empty the gun. A selection of five flush-fit choke tubes, including Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder and Cylinder bore were supplied with the Pointer shotgun. The Beretta shipped with only three: Full, Modified and Cylinder bore chokes.

There is an old saying that competitors should "beware the one who uses one gun," meaning that a shooter who does everything with the same shotgun probably is very familiar with how the firearm handles in a variety of shooting situations.

Knowing what that one gun can and cannot do, plus being able to repeatedly and effectively put that firearm to good use, gives a shooter the edge in both the field and on a clay target range.

In today's high-tech world, finding that all-around over and under shotgun has become increasingly difficult. Most firearms are specialized for a certain use—a target gun probably doesn't perform as effectively on game as a field gun; and field guns can't seem to match the target-busting ability of a shotgun made for clays.

A Gun Tests reader in Pennsylvania, Randy Cornman, had asked us for a head-to-head test of the "new" Ruger Red Label shotgun at $1,800 against the new Browning Citori Crossover Target with an MSRP of $2,000. He said, "It's time for a real knock-down, drag-out, head-to-head comparison. Both with 30-inch barrels, of course. We need at least 500 to 1,000 shots apiece. With all glitches detailed." Apparently, we acted too slowly to get ahead of Ruger, which we learned last month was discontinuing the Red Label line for a second time. So in its place we substituted a much less expensive Franchi Instinct SL to see if the SL could out duel its pricier counterpart. Both shotguns retail for less than $2,000 and are marketed as being able to handle duties on both birds in the field and clays at the range.

For our patterning tests of the two 12-gauge over-and-unders, we selected Winchester AA Extra-Light Target 2.75-inch loads packing 1 ounce of No. 8 shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1,190 fps. We also used the Winchesters during our field and clay target sessions, in addition to Kemen Premium Sport 2.75-inch loads with 7⁄8 ounce of No. 71⁄2 shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1,340 fps.

Both shotguns handled both types of shells in the field and on the clay target range without a hitch. As more thoroughly covered below, the felt recoil was slightly higher with both loads when shooting the lighter-weight Franchi. Here are our findings: