alaskabushman:
I don't think you can ever have enough pump guns! I've looked at the Marine model myself, but can't justify it in my part of the country. Sure do wish that the standard Defender was threaded for tubes though.
I've been doing all my hunting with a shotgun for several years now, and a dedicated slug gun will allow me to use sabot ammunition and extend my practical range on whitetails. I should clarify that where I hunt, 80 to 100 yards is a long shot.
The camp/field combo you've linked to is the one I purchased. A 26" field barrel with 3 tubes and an 18" Defender barrel. It was only $100 more than the standard field model, and I'd rather have 2 security guns available and never need them than 1 day need 2 and have 1.
As far as the bolt comparison between the 870, 500, and SXP (including the 1200/1300 models, all 3 are sound and proven designs as are the complete guns. It just comes down to personal preference. That said, you can have a lot of fun listening to an argument between an 870 devotee and his 500 counterpart!
When it comes to disassembly/cleaning/reassembly, all 3 break-down with ease and are a snap to thoroughly clean and lube. The Winchesters and the 870 are a breeze to reassemble. The 500 has always made me wish I had 20 blade-thin fingers, but millions of other people don't seem to have a problem with it. It kind of bothers me that the 500's magazine tube can't be cleaned without removal from the receiver, and I think that's a disadvantage especially on a waterfowl gun or 1 used in the conditions you describe.
And you're spot on about the recoil pad! The Winchester beats it's target market competitors hands down! Add the pad to the smooth and wiggle free action, fast cycling, back-bored and chrome lined barrel and you've got a gun that will give Remington and Mossberg a real dose of reality!
It's worth note that the SXP is not a foreign copy of the 1300, but is manufactured and assembled in a modern factory in Turkey where Winchester(Browning?) has commissioned them to produce the guns to Winchesters specifications. It's too bad they're not made here in the U.S.A., but this gun manufactured in New Haven would probably have an MSRP double what it is now, not a good idea for the sub-$500 market.
Let me know if you get a Marine variant, while I try to come up with a reason that I "need" 1.
My 1 gripe about the SXP: no 20 gauge models (yet?)!
I don't think you can ever have enough pump guns! I've looked at the Marine model myself, but can't justify it in my part of the country. Sure do wish that the standard Defender was threaded for tubes though.
I've been doing all my hunting with a shotgun for several years now, and a dedicated slug gun will allow me to use sabot ammunition and extend my practical range on whitetails. I should clarify that where I hunt, 80 to 100 yards is a long shot.
The camp/field combo you've linked to is the one I purchased. A 26" field barrel with 3 tubes and an 18" Defender barrel. It was only $100 more than the standard field model, and I'd rather have 2 security guns available and never need them than 1 day need 2 and have 1.
As far as the bolt comparison between the 870, 500, and SXP (including the 1200/1300 models, all 3 are sound and proven designs as are the complete guns. It just comes down to personal preference. That said, you can have a lot of fun listening to an argument between an 870 devotee and his 500 counterpart!
When it comes to disassembly/cleaning/reassembly, all 3 break-down with ease and are a snap to thoroughly clean and lube. The Winchesters and the 870 are a breeze to reassemble. The 500 has always made me wish I had 20 blade-thin fingers, but millions of other people don't seem to have a problem with it. It kind of bothers me that the 500's magazine tube can't be cleaned without removal from the receiver, and I think that's a disadvantage especially on a waterfowl gun or 1 used in the conditions you describe.
And you're spot on about the recoil pad! The Winchester beats it's target market competitors hands down! Add the pad to the smooth and wiggle free action, fast cycling, back-bored and chrome lined barrel and you've got a gun that will give Remington and Mossberg a real dose of reality!
It's worth note that the SXP is not a foreign copy of the 1300, but is manufactured and assembled in a modern factory in Turkey where Winchester(Browning?) has commissioned them to produce the guns to Winchesters specifications. It's too bad they're not made here in the U.S.A., but this gun manufactured in New Haven would probably have an MSRP double what it is now, not a good idea for the sub-$500 market.
Let me know if you get a Marine variant, while I try to come up with a reason that I "need" 1.
My 1 gripe about the SXP: no 20 gauge models (yet?)!
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