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Turkey Guns & Shooting => 20 Gauge Turkey Guns => Topic started by: shedhunta on March 10, 2017, 10:44:31 AM

Title: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: shedhunta on March 10, 2017, 10:44:31 AM
Having so much fun building an 870 20 ga that i was considering doing a 20ga semi auto after this.  What manufacturers do you guys like in a semi auto with a 18-23" barrel?  Really like swinging this short 21" barrel.  Will be hard to go back to a longer one.

Thx
Shedhunta
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: FL-Boss on March 10, 2017, 11:34:02 AM
Weatherby SA-459
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: g8rvet on March 10, 2017, 04:36:27 PM
Quote from: FL-Boss on March 10, 2017, 11:34:02 AM
Weatherby SA-459
x2
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: wvnut3 on March 10, 2017, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on March 10, 2017, 04:36:27 PM
Quote from: FL-Boss on March 10, 2017, 11:34:02 AM
Weatherby SA-459
x2
X3
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Turkeyfever on March 10, 2017, 06:32:36 PM
Mossberg SA 20 turkey thug!
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: codym on March 10, 2017, 06:35:57 PM
Quote from: wvnut3 on March 10, 2017, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on March 10, 2017, 04:36:27 PM
Quote from: FL-Boss on March 10, 2017, 11:34:02 AM
Weatherby SA-459
x2
X3
X4
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: DrDirtNap on March 10, 2017, 08:39:39 PM
Weatherby SA-459...You won't be disappointed
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: shedhunta on March 11, 2017, 08:11:04 PM
Man. That weatherby does look nice.  My 4 year old may need a new gun soon. Ha ha
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Spring Fever on March 11, 2017, 08:23:38 PM
I don't own either one
But guys tell me why you would do the weatherby over the 1187 youth 20?
Not trying to hijack your thread bud but I too am an in your sane position and I was leaning towards the 1187 20 since I already have the chokes for patterning.
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: g8rvet on March 11, 2017, 08:43:32 PM
Personally, I went with the SA-459 because I liked the way it fit in my hands.  I liked the reviews that it got on here, especially the patterns.  Very important to me, it would be a dedicated turkey gun alone as I have an O/U 20 101 that I have literally shot for over 40 years that is for wing shooting.  So the SA-459 was ready to go, with a pistol grip right out of the box.  It was just exactly what I was looking for at a very reasonable price.  I also got 10% off any Bass Pro purchase because I signed up for a credit card at the same time.

If I had wanted a dual purpose gun, I would have gone for something with a conventional stock. 
Title: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Dtrkyman on March 12, 2017, 09:02:31 AM
I just got a mossberg turkey thugs...little bit crude and not as light as advertised but should make a good turkey rig...was going to get a weatherby but found the thug for cheap...no pistol grip on the thug though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: codym on March 12, 2017, 12:53:06 PM
The 1187 is a good gun, but for me and echoing what others have said I wanted a dedicated turkey gun. I wanted to mount optics and the SA already had a rail included, I wanted a pistol grip and camo. Not to mention I wanted a light gun. The SA checked all those boxes for me. If I wanted a more all around gun I would have considered the 1187 maybe.
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: dirtnap on March 12, 2017, 01:04:01 PM
I just bought a Remington 1187 youth 20 gauge with a 21 inch barrel in January.  It will get hunted on the 3/18 youth day.  I personally like a Remington and I like short barrels.  It performed well during the end of duck season for me and my son.  I am not sure of the actual weight, but when you hold it next to a youth model 870 it is just a tad heavier. 

I wouldn't describe the 1187 as "heavy".  Also, I have no plans to make any changes to it other than to put in a different choke.

I have never owned a Weatherby, so no help there.
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Duffer58 on March 20, 2017, 09:40:56 PM
Based on all the good reviews off the SA-459 here on OG and how my buddy's felt/shouldered I finally bit the bullet and ordered one.  According to Fed Ex it will be delivered to my my FFL guy on Wednesday.  Looking forward to getting a red dot on it and hitting the range.
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Spring Fever on March 20, 2017, 10:20:10 PM
Give us your full review. Awesome man! And can't wait to hear what you think of it.
Congrats!!
Title: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Nightfallatdawn on March 21, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Picked one up today and mounted a Vortex venom and added a Carlson 575. Haven't got to shoot it yet, but this thing feels amazing.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170321/5bc71206fd850f7ba7a740bd47b89642.jpg)
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 12:59:38 AM
Quote from: Nightfallatdawn on March 21, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Picked one up today and mounted a Vortex venom and added a Carlson 575. Haven't got to shoot it yet, but this thing feels amazing.


That is how I'm setting up my gun Nightfallatdawn.  I had to get a second base from Vortex.  Vortex told me 10 to 12 in lbs for torque but that stripped the threads in the base.  Did some research which I should have done in the first place - for the thread size and material should have been around 6 to 8 in lbs.  Vortex sent me a second base free and had it 2 days later. 
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 08:06:02 AM
Quote from: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 12:59:38 AM
Quote from: Nightfallatdawn on March 21, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Picked one up today and mounted a Vortex venom and added a Carlson 575. Haven't got to shoot it yet, but this thing feels amazing.


That is how I'm setting up my gun Nightfallatdawn.  I had to get a second base from Vortex.  Vortex told me 10 to 12 in lbs for torque but that stripped the threads in the base.  Did some research which I should have done in the first place - for the thread size and material should have been around 6 to 8 in lbs.  Vortex sent me a second base free and had it 2 days later.

I did the same thing with two bases.  Do not use thread locker on the small screws that hold the sight to the base.
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 10:00:45 AM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 08:06:02 AM
Quote from: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 12:59:38 AM
Quote from: Nightfallatdawn on March 21, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Picked one up today and mounted a Vortex venom and added a Carlson 575. Haven't got to shoot it yet, but this thing feels amazing.


That is how I'm setting up my gun Nightfallatdawn.  I had to get a second base from Vortex.  Vortex told me 10 to 12 in lbs for torque but that stripped the threads in the base.  Did some research which I should have done in the first place - for the thread size and material should have been around 6 to 8 in lbs.  Vortex sent me a second base free and had it 2 days later.

I did the same thing with two bases.  Do not use thread locker on the small screws that hold the sight to the base.

Did you use a torque wrench to install and if so what setting did you use?  I use a Wheeler FAT torque wrench.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 10:13:53 AM
Quote from: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 10:00:45 AM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 08:06:02 AM
Quote from: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 12:59:38 AM
Quote from: Nightfallatdawn on March 21, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Picked one up today and mounted a Vortex venom and added a Carlson 575. Haven't got to shoot it yet, but this thing feels amazing.


That is how I'm setting up my gun Nightfallatdawn.  I had to get a second base from Vortex.  Vortex told me 10 to 12 in lbs for torque but that stripped the threads in the base.  Did some research which I should have done in the first place - for the thread size and material should have been around 6 to 8 in lbs.  Vortex sent me a second base free and had it 2 days later.

I did the same thing with two bases.  Do not use thread locker on the small screws that hold the sight to the base.

Did you use a torque wrench to install and if so what setting did you use?  I use a Wheeler FAT torque wrench.  Thanks!

I used a fat wrench as well.  One guy from vortex told me 15-20 inch pounds, but I was only ably to get about 12 inch pounds.  Another guy told me to use thread locker,  and another guy told me not to.  So after stripping out two bases I decided not to use it and it seemed to crank down pretty good.  The screws have very fine threads and adding thread locker to them can gum them up and strip out the base.  When I told the guy at vortex that another guy told me to use thread locker he seemed pretty frustrated and 2anted to know his name. 
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 03:22:57 PM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 10:13:53 AM
Quote from: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 10:00:45 AM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 08:06:02 AM
Quote from: Duffer58 on March 21, 2017, 12:59:38 AM
Quote from: Nightfallatdawn on March 21, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Picked one up today and mounted a Vortex venom and added a Carlson 575. Haven't got to shoot it yet, but this thing feels amazing.


That is how I'm setting up my gun Nightfallatdawn.  I had to get a second base from Vortex.  Vortex told me 10 to 12 in lbs for torque but that stripped the threads in the base.  Did some research which I should have done in the first place - for the thread size and material should have been around 6 to 8 in lbs.  Vortex sent me a second base free and had it 2 days later.

I did the same thing with two bases.  Do not use thread locker on the small screws that hold the sight to the base.

Did you use a torque wrench to install and if so what setting did you use?  I use a Wheeler FAT torque wrench.  Thanks!

I used a fat wrench as well.  One guy from vortex told me 15-20 inch pounds, but I was only ably to get about 12 inch pounds.  Another guy told me to use thread locker,  and another guy told me not to.  So after stripping out two bases I decided not to use it and it seemed to crank down pretty good.  The screws have very fine threads and adding thread locker to them can gum them up and strip out the base.  When I told the guy at vortex that another guy told me to use thread locker he seemed pretty frustrated and 2anted to know his name.

The threads are 6-48.  With my second base I'm going to got to 8 in lbs and see how that feels before bumping up to 10 then 12.  I'd like to see them use a steel base instead of aluminum.  The weight difference wouldn't be significant.
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Reloader on March 21, 2017, 04:00:26 PM
No offense, but if they are stripping with that little of torque, they are junk.

Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 07:23:50 PM
Quote from: Reloader on March 21, 2017, 04:00:26 PM
No offense, but if they are stripping with that little of torque, they are junk.

Yep, they are junk imo.  The sight itself is awesome though.  I'll probably get an American defense mount for it after the season. 
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: codym on March 22, 2017, 10:30:47 AM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 07:23:50 PM
Quote from: Reloader on March 21, 2017, 04:00:26 PM
No offense, but if they are stripping with that little of torque, they are junk.

Yep, they are junk imo.  The sight itself is awesome though.  I'll probably get an American defense mount for it after the season.

I have the AM Defense quick disconnect mount for my FF3. I like it no issues but it does sit up high enough that I had to make a New Mexican engineered comb raising kit, not the prettiest but works for me and cost is about right! lol
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Bolandstrutters on March 22, 2017, 11:16:48 AM
Quote from: codym on March 22, 2017, 10:30:47 AM
Quote from: Bolandstrutters on March 21, 2017, 07:23:50 PM
Quote from: Reloader on March 21, 2017, 04:00:26 PM
No offense, but if they are stripping with that little of torque, they are junk.

Yep, they are junk imo.  The sight itself is awesome though.  I'll probably get an American defense mount for it after the season.

I have the AM Defense quick disconnect mount for my FF3. I like it no issues but it does sit up high enough that I had to make a New Mexican engineered comb raising kit, not the prettiest but works for me and cost is about right! lol

Thanks for the info, I was worried about it sitting too high.
Title: Re: Options for short barrel 20 gauge semi autos
Post by: Duffer58 on March 22, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Thanks for the information on alternatives mounts for the Vortex Venom.  I have an extensive collection of Vortex optics including scopes, binoculars, and monoculars.  This mount issue is the first problem I have ever had with a Vortex product.  Vortex shipped me a second base no questions asked.  I did tell them that IMO the base should be made out of steel.  I installed the second base , without thread lock, without any issues.  I think part of the problem in using thread lock is it is acting as a lubricant during the tightening.  The tongue in tightening a fastener goes to overcoming the friction between the threads as well as creating pre-load in the joint.  IMO With the thread lock acting as a lubricant more torque was going into creating pre-load which lead to the threads stripped.