dadoser
Master Class
First, I am not a shotgun guy. I had a Mossberg 500 in the late 90's but sold it after a couple years. I bought another Mossberg 500 ATI a few years ago but sold it too. For whatever reason, those 500s seemed like a whole lot of firearm to me - heavy, and I never warmed up to the pump action.
For the last couple years, I did not have a shotgun in the collection. I thought I might like a semi auto more than a pump - but for a quality semi, it seemed like I would need to drop around 2k for admission. Too much for a guy not into shotguns. (and based on video tests/reviews the lower cost Turkish clones don't seem to hold up) That money could go into other things I'm more into.
In the past year or so, I've gotten the collection where I want it to be - handguns, rifles, SBRs, PCCs. Bottom line, I did not have the itch, or need to add anything else in the above categories. The question was - Do I want or need to add a shotgun to the collection?
A couple years ago, Beretta introduced the A300 Ultima Patrol. I've been eyeing it since it was released. Semi-auto, light, great reviews, and around 1K admission (plus accessories). For the last year, everytime I went into Scheels, I ended up wandering over to the shotgun section and fondling an A300 Ultima Patrol. On April 17 (while my wife and daughter were getting their nails done for our son's wedding), I ran to Scheels, picked this up, and snuck it in the house before they got home. (I was debating on the cost difference between black and the multi-cam - but that multi-camo just spoke to me.)
(Thanks or blame to @Bassbob for recommending me to go to GG&G? I thank you, but the bank account definitely blames you
)
Additions/upgrades - because for whatever reason I can;t seem to leave a new firearm OEM -
* OD Green adhesive loop section on receiver (bought off Amazon and cut to pattern)
* Esstac shotgun cards (picked these based on best reviews)
* Magpul M-Lok QD mount
* Magpul MS1 QDM 2 point Sling;
* Holosun 509T green dot
* GG&G optic plate (OEM rail removed to lower dot).
* GG & G Aluminium Mad Tube cover (replacing plastic OEM)
* GG & G Aluminium M-Lok barrel clamp (replacing plastic OEM)
(between both GG&G swaps, it adds about 2.6 oz to the front of the gun)
Range Thoughts - (after one trip - prior to dot installation and GG&G upgrades)
* Damn! This thing appears to be "the ****."
* I'm not used to this much power in a firearm.
* I really, really like the semi action over the pump.
* Charger and bolt release are nice and big - easy to operate.
* The lifter has very smooth surfaces and is easy to load.
* Definitely a firearm to run and train with at the outdoor range.
* I'm looking forward to putting more rounds through this, I could get to like shotguns after all.
Now I just need to get to the range and zero the dot and I'm good to go with this setup. I will probably look at light options in the future - post bank account recovery.
For the last couple years, I did not have a shotgun in the collection. I thought I might like a semi auto more than a pump - but for a quality semi, it seemed like I would need to drop around 2k for admission. Too much for a guy not into shotguns. (and based on video tests/reviews the lower cost Turkish clones don't seem to hold up) That money could go into other things I'm more into.
In the past year or so, I've gotten the collection where I want it to be - handguns, rifles, SBRs, PCCs. Bottom line, I did not have the itch, or need to add anything else in the above categories. The question was - Do I want or need to add a shotgun to the collection?
A couple years ago, Beretta introduced the A300 Ultima Patrol. I've been eyeing it since it was released. Semi-auto, light, great reviews, and around 1K admission (plus accessories). For the last year, everytime I went into Scheels, I ended up wandering over to the shotgun section and fondling an A300 Ultima Patrol. On April 17 (while my wife and daughter were getting their nails done for our son's wedding), I ran to Scheels, picked this up, and snuck it in the house before they got home. (I was debating on the cost difference between black and the multi-cam - but that multi-camo just spoke to me.)
(Thanks or blame to @Bassbob for recommending me to go to GG&G? I thank you, but the bank account definitely blames you
)Additions/upgrades - because for whatever reason I can;t seem to leave a new firearm OEM -
* OD Green adhesive loop section on receiver (bought off Amazon and cut to pattern)
* Esstac shotgun cards (picked these based on best reviews)
* Magpul M-Lok QD mount
* Magpul MS1 QDM 2 point Sling;
* Holosun 509T green dot
* GG&G optic plate (OEM rail removed to lower dot).
* GG & G Aluminium Mad Tube cover (replacing plastic OEM)
* GG & G Aluminium M-Lok barrel clamp (replacing plastic OEM)
(between both GG&G swaps, it adds about 2.6 oz to the front of the gun)
Range Thoughts - (after one trip - prior to dot installation and GG&G upgrades)
* Damn! This thing appears to be "the ****."
* I'm not used to this much power in a firearm.
* I really, really like the semi action over the pump.
* Charger and bolt release are nice and big - easy to operate.
* The lifter has very smooth surfaces and is easy to load.
* Definitely a firearm to run and train with at the outdoor range.
* I'm looking forward to putting more rounds through this, I could get to like shotguns after all.
Now I just need to get to the range and zero the dot and I'm good to go with this setup. I will probably look at light options in the future - post bank account recovery.
