FN SLP Mark I - first time at the range with my new shotgun

[rc601962]

In case anyone is considering this shotgun, I thought I would give you my impressions of my first trip to the range. I bought two of these. They were $951 each. My role for these guns is as an indoor SHTF gun. Outdoors, I would use my AR15.

I cleaned the guns prior to my trip. They come loaded with tons gunk from the factory. I lubed them like I would my AR15, very liberally. I brought a variety of ammo for each gun. My plan was to start with heavy loads and work towards the lighter loads using the red (light) piston. I shot, in order, through each gun:

1. 15 one ounce slugs
2. 10 00 buck
3. 25 high base birdshot
4. 50 low base Federal 1 1/8 loads

Not one malfunction with either gun! I have an M1S90 tactical and Field as a comparison. The FN SLP is faster and has less recoil. However, it is a much heavier gun. I like the sights on the FN. I even like the built in rail. I was not sure about this feature. However, it kind of acts like a ghost ring. The 22" barrel length does not seem to long for home defense. The gun handles well. The trigger is very good. It will fill it's role well.

The only downside about this gun that I can tell so far is that it is a pain to clean. I have never owned a gas shotgun. They seem much dirtier than my Benelli. That being said, the Benelli is the perfect companion to this gun. They operate almost identically. The Benelli is lighter and better for hunting. I spend hundreds of hours in the field each year with my M1S90 hunting quail, dove, chukar, duck, and geese. So, the manual of arms is wired into my brain as second nature. That will be helpful if I ever wake from a deep sleep to find multiple intruders in my house.

Bottom line, I am 100% happy with this gun. I bought it via mail order without actually handling one first. So, I took a big risk.

 

[JNewell]

Great writeup! Two - I am impressed.

My SLP (not Mk 1) is a truly excellent piece of engineering. The only cautions were that it needed some break-in to function well with light loads, and it needed to have the "heavy" piston changed out, too.

The Benelli is an inertia/recoil gun, which accounts for the difference in operating "dirt." I had a 1201FP that ran as clean as a pump gun. All my gas guns get very dirty.

 

[LanceOregon]

My role for these guns is as an indoor SHTF gun. Outdoors, I would use my AR15.

I live in a small home on a suburban street. My FN SLP Mark I is my outside defense gun, while I rely on handguns for inside my home.

Worst point of the shotgun is the weight. Although that does help some in reducing recoil. With the light gas piston installed, it will function just fine with the lightest target loads for practicing with the shotgun.

The only downside about this gun that I can tell so far is that it is a pain to clean. I have never owned a gas shotgun.

That is the drawback of gas operated semiauto shotguns. No easy workaround, but cleaning is WAY EASIER if you use the most appropriate cleaners.

For all my semiauto shotguns, I rely on Shooter's Choice Shotgun and Choke Tube cleaner. This stuff is absolutely amazing at cleaning off carbon build up on a shotgun. Makes the cleaning job so much easier and faster than when using ordinary gun cleaning solvents.

http://www.shooters-choice.com/shotgun_choke_cleaner.html

 

[rc601962]

Thanks Lance for the cleaning tip.

For a normal home defense scenario, I have a handgun ready.

My role for the shotgun is one where I sleep at the top of the stairs with my family behind me in a barricade fashion during a time of civil unrest when it is possible that someone could kick down the front door.

For threats outside during a time of civil unrest, a shotgun would be a liability. You need distance. You may have to set up a neighborhood watch and close access to a road. You will want the distance a rifle gives you.