Shotgun Wedding

Join us as we take a look at several excellent new shotgun offerings:


Browning Maxus $1,199 to $1,499
12 GA. Semi-Auto
Purpose-Bird hunting, skeet shooting.
Stalker Model:
Description: A new for 2009, 3 1/2" chamber autoloader in matte-black. Camouflage model also available.
Features: stock shim adjustments, adjustable length of trigger-pull, new gas-action and trigger system, aluminum alloy receiver.
Notables: "Slim, trim forearm" is quick and easy to remove and replace. Browning "speed load" feature. Magazine cut-off-for convenient switching of load types. "Lightning trigger system" breaks at 6 lbs. Gun review magazines have described the trigger as having "no initial creep and an extremely crisp break."
Gun Review Ratings: Excellent
Interactive Tour


Benelli Supernova MAX-4 HD Camo 3 1/2" 12 GA. Pump. $599
Purpose-"Superb shotgun for bird hunting."
Reviews: Positives-shim-adjustable stock, action-buttery smooth, nicely balanced-8 lbs., excellent build-quality, flawless camo finish, close fit of barrel extension, comfortable and functional ridged gripping surface, magazine cutoff built into forearm. Negatives-7 lb trigger pull somewhat heavy.
Gun Review Ratings: Excellent





Mossberg 930 Tactical No. 85360 $700
3" 12 Ga. Semi-Auto, fixed choke
Purpose-Self Defense
Reviews: Positives-scope mount, 7 round magazine, large bolt release button, 4.7 lb trigger pull, cocking indicator, easy unload, complete set of stock shims for precise fit, good cycling and reliability. Negatives-bulky sites, sticky buttpad, lack of sling-swivels, non-supported magazine tube, difficulty placing weapon in "vehicle mode", point of impact far from point of aim (slugs)
Gun Review Ratings: Good

CZ-USA 712 Utility $458
3" 12 Ga. Semi-Auto, 5 Separate Screw-In Chokes.
Purpose-Self Defense, Small Game.
Reviews: Positives-vent rib, extensively chrome-plated action and safety, smooth trigger, easy loading and unloading, easy "vehicle mode", good slug accuracy, effective rapidfire mode, good reliability. Negatives-thin buttpad, 8 lb trigger pull, 5 round capacity must be manually expanded from 2 round capacity by removing internal plug post-purchase.
Gun Review Ratings: Very Good


Remington NitroMag 887 $399
3 1/2" 12 Ga. pump-action
Purpose: Waterfowl Hunting
Reviews: Positives- slide release, trigger-pull 4.6 lbs., good recoil pad.
Negatives-noisy sliding bolt shroud, rough machine marks on the barrel guide and side of the barrel near the bolt face, sloppy barrel to receiver fit, small safety button, rough action, muzzle-heavy, mushy trigger, only one choke tube, did not shoot close to point of aim.
Gun Review Ratings: Poor

3 New Guns

New Guns of Note:

Taurus M840
I haven't found any in-depth reviews yet on the M840, but it's a good-looking pistol, and the grip looks like it would fit the hand nicely. I like the exposed hammer, unlike a lot of polymer guns.
Specs:
Action :Single / Double. Caliber :.40 S&W. Barrel Length :4". Capacity :15 + 1. Safety :Ambidextrous. Grips :Black Synthetic. Sights :3-Dot. Weight :32 oz. Finish :Blued or Stainless

Sig 516 (photo from American Rifleman Magazine)
Sig Sauer's recent entry into the gas-piston AR rifle fray.




Gas-piston semi-auto/automatic rifles are purported to offer greatly increased dependability in real-world conditions, as compared to the standard direct gas impingement M4-type military rifles.
Specs: (from the Firearm Blog)
Caliber: 5.56×45mm NATO (5.56mm NATO)
Fire modes: Single shot, 3 round burst and fully automatic (except marksmen models which are semi only)
Controls: Ambidextrous
Gas system: Piston system with 3 or 4 position gas regulator
Upper Receiver: Flat top with picatinny rail
Lower Receiver: Forged 7075-T6 aluminum
Trigger: MILSPEC for all models except the Marksmen which have 2-stage match trigger
Capacity: Takes standard AR-15 magazines
Finish: Black hard coat finish
Barrel: Chrome lined, cold hammer forged, nitrate finish
Barrel Twist: 1:7″ right hand
Stock: Collapsible SOPMOD buttstock
Weight: 6 lbs. (PDW) - 7.28 lbs (Patrol) - 8 lbs (Precision Marksman)
Rails: Free floating aluminum alloy M1913 picatinny quad rails
Sights: Flip-up BUIS (backup iron sights)
Magazine: Ships with 30 round AR-15 magazine. Marksmen models ship with 10 or 20 round magazine.
Other Features: 0.5×28TPI threaded muzzle
MSRP (Price): Not known

FN SCAR 16
New battle rifle from FN designed from scratch, with special attention paid to retaining the proven ergonomics, sighting systems, ammo, and magazines of the familiar M4 weapons systems, at the same time incorporating the short-stroke, piston-action for increased dependability in the field.

Chambered for the high velocity 5.56x45mm NATO / 223 Remington cartridge, the selective fire SCAR™ 16’s innovative gas-operated, short stroke piston system reduces fouling for greater reliability. The SCAR 16 system features three user-interchangeable, free floating, cold hammer-forged MIL-SPEC barrels with hard-chromed bores and three-prong flash suppressors. Fully-ambidextrous operating controls instantly adapt the SCAR 16 to any user. The receiver-integrated MIL-STD 1913 optical rail plus three accessory rails enable mounting of a wide variety of tactical lights and lasers. The side-folding, polymer stock is fully adjustable for comb height and length of pull, and is colored authentic USSOCOM Flat Dark Earth.

Military and Civilian-Legal Versions