Posted: 11/25/2016 11:14:37 PM EDT
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Part of this has been asked a 100 times, the other part I can't find opinions. I can't really spend over $1,000 on a shotty and I'm pretty new to 3 Gun.
I started out with my eyes on a Beretta 1301 but opinions on here have swayed me. Then I thought about a Stoeger of some sort, lately a M3K. A good friend has a M3000 and loves it. I recently found a FN SLP MARK 1 for right under $1,000. Does anyone here have any opinions or advice on the FN? I'm guessing based on most of the threads lately people like the M3K over the 1301? I like 3 gun A LOT but don't get to go much because of life and family so my choice will be for some 3 gun, home defense, and just messing around and having fun. Sorry for dealing with another newby but some of these threads have me a little nervous about a shotgun. Thanks in advance! |
| From what I hear (from Jesse), SLPs have more issues than one would like. If you do some looking, there are a fair few used Benelli M2's in the <$1000 range. I saw one in Cabela's gun library for $800 last night, but sadly it was sold before I could buy it. I think most people will say that it's a much better shotgun for the money. It is the tool of choice for most of the people in the pro circuit. |
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I have only shot a FN SLP once. I borrowed it from a friend and shot a 3 gun match with it. It shot and felt very well. Especially, when you consider I picked it up and shot the match with it. The owner of the shotgun has been using it for years for 3 gun and has never had an issue with it.
However, I ended up buying a Versa Max Competition. It shoots very well. It is very comfortable for me to shoot. |
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I shot a FN SLP for a couple of years, pain in the ass to keep running reliably. At least yearly needed to replace all springs.
Best thing I ever did was buy a Beretta 1301, gun runs flawlessly, i don't go crazy cleaning it, just monthly which is 2-3 matches a month, I give it a spray down with CLP. Besides adding a tube, all I have done was one the loading port and change front sight and add a rear sight. Stoegers and Versamax's need quite a few parts from Benelli's to make them run. Both Benelli's and Beretta's have Italian quality, and remember Beretta owns Benelli. |
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Avoid the SLP... too unreliable. Avoid the Mossberg... too hit-or-miss.
Stoeger is good for the money, Beretta is excellent at any price, but adding magazine extensions to foreign-made shotguns = 922r headache (which many folks ignore at their peril). VersaMax Sportsman is under your budget also. Add a magazine extension and have the carrier welded up, and you have a match winning gun in your hands. Newer production is more robust, and many Benelli parts fit in the event that a part does break. |
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Thank you all for the feedback. I will give the Remington Versa Max some thought but I am not much of a Remington fan(just my own weird thing). I have a local shop that has had a 1301 on their shelf for quite some time I believe and I wonder if I could move it for a good price with a little chit chat. I'm sure if I do end up with the 1301 it will serve me well enough.
Either way I'll take my time and see if I can find one of the preferred choices at a good price somewhere since it's going to be winter anyway for awhile... 
-Rob |