Anyone out there use an optic sight like a reflex sight when shooting trap?

C

cdc

New member
I really like my optic sight on my 870 tactical. I have another 870 receiver (stripped and needs refinishing) and parts, enough to put together another 870. I was watching trap shooters and that looks like fun, also my only chance outside a class to shoot other then slugs. Soooo for my next project I was thinking about putting together a trap/bird 870.

If effective, I prefer to have the same sighting system on both guns, muscle memory if you know what I mean. So I was wondering if anyone else uses reflex sights on a trap shotty and how it compares for them vs the traditional vent rib and bead sighting?

If it matters this is how the gun will be put together:

* Remington 870 Express receiver (older with the aluminum trigger group)
* Wood stock, probably a Wingmaster stock (I have several types at home)
* Limbsaver R3 recoil pad with a recoil hydrolic system installed to the stock (have not settled on this yet, my friends that shoot trap recommended this - any suggestions would be welcomed) I will have a gunsmith fit the stock setup to me.
* Remington magazine cap weight 6.6oz
* Trigger job
* New 28" vent ribbed rem choke barrel
* New hi-viz follower and new mag spring

By the way, I could care less what anyone thinks at the trap range if I show up with an optic sighted pump to shoot trap:D

Thanks for any input!
 
The same question but with a semi-auto like a Remington 1100

I will still build the 870 into a trap gun, I have most of the parts on hand, but I really want a semi-auto. Especially with trap and skeet, it may seem rediculous to some to use a reflex sight, but I am serious.

Thanks for any input!

cdc
 
I'm no Dave McC, or sm, et.al., but I can't see any advantage to having a red dot on a trap/bird gun. You don't "aim" a shotgun when hitting flying objects; you point it in the general direction. It is a dynamic process of swinging and firing (while continuing to swing! Remember that!!). I personally think the optic would get in the way of focusing on the target.

I say this only because my brother once asked me after I shot his Benelli, "Did you like the fiber-optic bead?" I had to look at the end of the shotgun and said, "Oh, wow, that's cool." :p
 
I appreciate the response P-990. I was told something similar from someone I know that is a competition/tournament trap shooter earlier today. :)

MicroBalrog, I actually have right now two home defense guns. A custom 1911 .45ACP and a recently built 870 tactical shotgun. The new shotty (which I am 95% sure will be a Remington 1100) I am going to get will be pretty much exclusively for Trap, sporting clays and possibly skeet.

cdc
 
Gun Fit to shooter for task intended.

I do not own any scopes or optical sights personally. MY intended tasks do not require such at this time.

Shotguns are pointed - not aimed.

Basic bone stock Shotguns allow a LOT of versatility with various loadings available, to be used in / for multiple settings.

Same for a basic Model 10 4" Revolver.

These have proven themselves over many decades and millions of rounds. Literally.

In anything -Safety, Responsiblity and knowing the Correct Basic Fundamentals , Training and Repetition of the user is paramount to effectiveness.

Be it firearm, matches, hammer, or cast iron skillet.

Stair -Step:

Now...there is a place for enhancements. With enhancements one again must learn safety, responsibility, correct basic fundamentals, get training, and repeat these.

Moving targets are POINTED at, the human computer of hand:eye is remarkable - the eyes "act" like the rear sight - hence the reason Gun fit is so important.

Even aging eyes can still bust moving targets - simply because the shooter is focused on the TARGET - always- and not the Shotgun.

One cannot shoot what they cannot see


Tasks intended:

Turkey Hunters, Deer Hunters, LEO applications, Shotguns used for Urban Sniping by Military,...Military uses...These are special tasks.

Now the shotgun is being AIMED. Stationary targets.

Here aging eyes , especially in low light for Turkey or Deer DO benefit with Hi-Vis, optical and such sights.

Young eyes benefit as well, LEOs, Military also benefit from enhancements.

Tool for the task intended

Here is the Catch-22 if you will.

If a shooter is trained with a bone stock shotgun, revolver, 1911, bolt action rifle...etc. Has repeated over and over again the Correct Basic Fundamentals...

If that optical sight goes out, the front bead falls off, sights get busted off, scope is trashed...

That trained individual can "fall back" on to basic correct fundamentals and stay in the fight, continue to hunt, continue to shoot clays in competition.

Never learn with a crutch

Like many in my day, I was taught shotgunning with the front bead removed. I was also taught to shoot revolvers and 1911s with no sights as well.

I have used Brister's teaching method forever with new shotgunners.

Remove the sights off a BB Gun, and have the student shoot Ping Pong Balls.

Hand : eye coordination is remarkable in humans. Bestest computer ever made.

From the BB gun I go to a gun that fits student, prefer a gun with NO beads, and we go from there.

Depending on student ( age, size, physical infirmities...)

I have had folks use the shotgun to again hit ping pong balls. I went to Tennis balls as I could toss them out further and they are quite resilient. Oh ...and they bounce. :p

"I can't..." The student may start in ...
"Can't died - do it anyway" - I replied.

There are a number of tennis balls on mantels and wherever shot with a shotgun with no beads, many shot on the bounce.

I know of one tennis ball where a hard-headed kid insisted Can't was still alive, I didn't tell them the loading was a slug. 870 .410 , plain barrel, no beads, hit on the bounce. 10-12 steps out.

Can't died a horrible death that day. ;)
 
http://www.jprifles.com/ can install a reflex sight that will cowitness with the beads/irons. It is also easily removeable. Shooting an optical sight at moving clays/targets is pretty common in USPSA 3 gun. I've shot this system and it's a nice addition to versatility, particularly if you switch from birdhsot to slugs.
 
sm,

I practiced many hours in the backyard with a Red Rider and some soda cans. Got pretty good hitting those things. Drill went: Cock Daisy (still takes me using my legs as part of my leverage!), stand Daisy on knee with left hand on forend. Toss soda can. POP!! SMACK!! Repeat until too tired to cock Daisy. :D Honestly, I don't remember using the sights all that often in that trick. The cans didn't get too far, maybe 10 paces max, but I got to the point I could hit them pretty reliably, perhaps 8-9 out of 10. Just came down to trusting the eyes and hands to do their job.

Sounds like your system of training works well. Wish somebody had taught me with that!
 
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