Went out and shot my new gun for the first time today. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Borla · 05-29-2009, 01:50 PM

It is also my first gun.

I purchased a Remington 870 Express Shurshot w/a thumbhole stock, 23" fully rifled cantilever barrel, and a synthetic black stock. (crappy cell phone pic below)

I'll be deer hunting for the first time this fall, and my state does not allow rifle, so shotgun it is. After much research, and picking the brains of many hunter friends, I decided on that gun.

Today I got to shoot it for the first time. Since it is fully rifled, I need to use sabot slugs in it, which are a bit pricey (think $11-20/box of 5). I put 75 slugs through it today in about two hours. I'm not sure which hurts worse, my shoulder or my wallet.

telekinetic · 05-29-2009, 01:57 PM

If you have $120 to spare, get a Knoxx Spec Opps recoil absorbing shock...you couldn't pay me to put 75 12 gauge slugs through my shotty before I get that installed.

Borla · 05-29-2009, 02:16 PM

I really like my Sureshot thumbhole stock though. Looks like I'd have to sacrifice that according to the picture you posted. In reality, I'll probably never sit down and shoot more than half the number of slugs I shot today again. Plus I'm a glutton for punishment sometimes.

samcol · 05-30-2009, 05:18 AM

can you change out the barrel so that you can shoot shot? regular shotgun loads aren't that expensive still and are fun for clays or messing around.

Borla · 05-30-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samcol

can you change out the barrel so that you can shoot shot? regular shotgun loads aren't that expensive still and are fun for clays or messing around.

My gun didn't come with a smooth barrel, but I can purchase one for it, which I think I'll eventually do.

SSJTWIZTA · 05-30-2009, 10:33 PM

no rifles?!
where do you live? i would like to know so i could never make the mistake of moving there. i love my rifles.

does your shoulder have that awesome, elongated, oval shaped bruise mine usually has after a day of dove hunting?

you should purchase a smooth barrel. skeet is great.

Borla · 05-31-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSJTWIZTA

no rifles?!
where do you live? i would like to know so i could never make the mistake of moving there. i love my rifles.

does your shoulder have that awesome, elongated, oval shaped bruise mine usually has after a day of dove hunting?

you should purchase a smooth barrel. skeet is great.

IL......rifles are allowed for squirrel and stuff, just not deer.

The deep muscles are sore to the touch, but not nearly the bruise I thought would be there.

Slims · 05-31-2009, 05:00 PM

You have a shotgun, but the basics still apply.

The best practice you can do is also the cheapest.

Practice shooting the shotgun unloaded...it's called dry-firing and it helps build good habits without having to worry about bad-habit inducing recoil.

You may want to put an EMPTY husk into the chamber so the firing pin has something to hit.

Just remember to very deliberately clear the shotgun before such practice...it is not unheard of for someone to forget the status of their weapon and put a hole through the TV, or worse.

Plan9 · 05-31-2009, 06:58 PM

Nice purchase, Borla. Yeah-yeah, a 18" cylinder bore barrel may be in order for scattergun fun, cheap practice, and "home defense."

But... blegch... thumbhole stocks drive me bonkers. They're (usually) uglier'n'hell and often a product/result of crap legislation.

I'm in the same school of thought as Slims. Dry fire practice is absolutely crucial to becoming comfortable with a firearm... shoulder position, posture, trigger, loading/unloading, etc. Cuddle-time between your body and the firearm are the only way to get all Jedi Master We-Are-One with it.

Two styles of learning: endless repetition or blunt force trauma. Dry firing covers the first and I suppose beating the shit outta your shoulder may lend to the second (if you're a real weirdo). Guns are like riding a bike... most anybody can do it, but skill and safety require the investment of time and energy.

SSJTWIZTA · 05-31-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slims

Practice shooting the shotgun unloaded...it's called dry-firing and it helps build good habits without having to worry about bad-habit inducing recoil.

You may want to put an EMPTY husk into the chamber so the firing pin has something to hit.

you scared me there, for a second.

samcol · 06-01-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slims

You have a shotgun, but the basics still apply.

The best practice you can do is also the cheapest.

Practice shooting the shotgun unloaded...it's called dry-firing and it helps build good habits without having to worry about bad-habit inducing recoil.

You may want to put an EMPTY husk into the chamber so the firing pin has something to hit.

Just remember to very deliberately clear the shotgun before such practice...it is not unheard of for someone to forget the status of their weapon and put a hole through the TV, or worse.

Never was a big fan of putting an spent round in the chamber for dry firing. It just goes against standard gun safety procedures imo. I mean you look down the chamber and see a loaded round then fire the weapon. I always just dry fire with guns totally empty in a seperate room from my ammo with the gun pointed in a safe direction.

I don't think you can damage any weapon from dry firing except for maybe rim fired fireamrs and some antique weapons.

syquestrd270 · 06-01-2009, 11:02 PM

You should be able to find a 12g snap cap of some sort for dry fire practice.

Plan9 · 06-01-2009, 11:19 PM

... or just practice the safety rules you use every time anyway. What a novel concept.

Casual training doesn't require spending $XX on snap caps or dummy barrels or whatever You-Shouldn't-Have-A-Gun-Anyway-But-You-Do safety nazi crap.

"Don't point the gun at something you don't wanna destroy and keep your finger off the trigger until it is pointed at such and you're ready to fire."

If he's at some shoot school, LE, whatever... fine... but for drilling stuff in his garage, he'll be okay with some empty hulls.

Martian · 06-01-2009, 11:43 PM

Aside from a non-gun-owner:

This is exactly the type of thing that keeps me from going through all the hoopla necessary to get a gun. I simply can't imagine myself investing time and energy in things like safety drills and dry fire practice, and I can't imagine owning something as dangerous as a gun without doing all of that.

Plus the whole commie Canada anti-gun pinko liberal thing.

Plan9 · 06-02-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

Plus the whole commie Canada anti-gun pinko liberal thing.

Firearms are easier to master than musical instruments. You've got these weird illusions about guns that most of the never-used-one world has... it's normal. One quality session at a target range usually cures it. You realize that in many ways guns are not much different than golf clubs.

Turns out the rules of firearms are no more complicated than the rules of driving a car (stay on the right side of the road in the US) or the rules of wearing pants in public (so you're taken seriously). They're simple, easy to follow, and "bad shit" only happens when you deviate from such basic rules.

Slims · 06-02-2009, 03:10 PM

Martian: I could give you a good basic safety class in about 10 minutes. It isn't complicated..The rules are redundant so a simple mistake results in nothing more than embarrasment. you really have to break a bunch in order to cause harm.

In no particular order:

1: Don't point the gun at things you would rather not get shot (self explanatory)

2: Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot: If you look, you will notice all trained firearms users have their index finger laying flat along the side of the weapon when they are not actually shooting. If you have your finger in the trigger you may accidentally squeeze a round off for any number of reasons (surprise, excitement, you tripped, got bumped, etc) and as a general rule, a safety is used but not relied on. If nothing touches the trigger the weapon won't fire.

3: Treat your weapon as if it is loaded. Just because you unloaded your pistol does not mean you should demonstrate by pointing it at someone and pulling the trigger. Exceptions are dry-firing and other drills immediately preceded by a deliberate clear of the weapon. Edit because that sounds wrong: You are still not going to shoot at anyone, unloaded or no. You are just asking for the worst mistake of your life. The only exceptions I am aware of are retention drills after multiple parties have verified the weapon is unloaded.

Almost forgot 4: Be sure of your target and what is behind it. Cardboard doesn't stop bullets. Make sure the bullets are going to stop where you want them and won't hit anything you don't along the way. I know it's common sense, but it's a rule because someone screwed it up.

Clearing your weapon:

1: Attempt to put your weapon on safe.
2: Remove the source of feed (magazine, rounds in a tube, etc),
3: Remove any round in chamber
4: conduct 3 point check of the chamber itself, bolt-face, and magazine well/tube/lifter.
5: Situation dependent (before dry-firing, doing certain drills, etc): point unloaded weapon in a safe direction and pull the trigger: This will fire any round your dumb ass missed during the clearing process. Embarrasing the shit out of you but not hurting anyone (because you pointed in a safe direction).

If you follow those rules, and conduct a proper clear anytime you wish your weapon to be unloaded, you can't go wrong.

There is more to being a competent, lethal shooter, but that pretty much covers the basics of safety. Oh, and make sure your kids can't get to them.

raptor9k · 06-05-2009, 05:59 PM

deleted

05-29-2009, 01:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	If you have $120 to spare, get a Knoxx Spec Opps recoil absorbing shock...you couldn't pay me to put 75 12 gauge slugs through my shotty before I get that installed. __________________ twisted no more

05-29-2009, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	I really like my Sureshot thumbhole stock though. Looks like I'd have to sacrifice that according to the picture you posted. In reality, I'll probably never sit down and shoot more than half the number of slugs I shot today again. Plus I'm a glutton for punishment sometimes. __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

05-30-2009, 05:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
samcol Junkie Location: Indiana	can you change out the barrel so that you can shoot shot? regular shotgun loads aren't that expensive still and are fun for clays or messing around. __________________ It's time for the president to hand over his nobel peace prize.

05-30-2009, 10:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
SSJTWIZTA Master Thief. Master Criminal. Masturbator. Location: Windiwana	no rifles?! where do you live? i would like to know so i could never make the mistake of moving there. i love my rifles. does your shoulder have that awesome, elongated, oval shaped bruise mine usually has after a day of dove hunting? you should purchase a smooth barrel. skeet is great. __________________ First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak out for me. -Pastor Martin Niemoller

05-31-2009, 05:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	You have a shotgun, but the basics still apply. The best practice you can do is also the cheapest. Practice shooting the shotgun unloaded...it's called dry-firing and it helps build good habits without having to worry about bad-habit inducing recoil. You may want to put an EMPTY husk into the chamber so the firing pin has something to hit. Just remember to very deliberately clear the shotgun before such practice...it is not unheard of for someone to forget the status of their weapon and put a hole through the TV, or worse. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence

05-31-2009, 06:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Nice purchase, Borla. Yeah-yeah, a 18" cylinder bore barrel may be in order for scattergun fun, cheap practice, and "home defense." But... blegch... thumbhole stocks drive me bonkers. They're (usually) uglier'n'hell and often a product/result of crap legislation. I'm in the same school of thought as Slims. Dry fire practice is absolutely crucial to becoming comfortable with a firearm... shoulder position, posture, trigger, loading/unloading, etc. Cuddle-time between your body and the firearm are the only way to get all Jedi Master We-Are-One with it. Two styles of learning: endless repetition or blunt force trauma. Dry firing covers the first and I suppose beating the shit outta your shoulder may lend to the second (if you're a real weirdo). Guns are like riding a bike... most anybody can do it, but skill and safety require the investment of time and energy. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake." Last edited by Plan9; 05-31-2009 at 07:03 PM..

06-01-2009, 11:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
syquestrd270 Tilted	You should be able to find a 12g snap cap of some sort for dry fire practice.

06-01-2009, 11:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	... or just practice the safety rules you use every time anyway. What a novel concept. Casual training doesn't require spending $XX on snap caps or dummy barrels or whatever You-Shouldn't-Have-A-Gun-Anyway-But-You-Do safety nazi crap. "Don't point the gun at something you don't wanna destroy and keep your finger off the trigger until it is pointed at such and you're ready to fire." If he's at some shoot school, LE, whatever... fine... but for drilling stuff in his garage, he'll be okay with some empty hulls. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

06-01-2009, 11:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Aside from a non-gun-owner: This is exactly the type of thing that keeps me from going through all the hoopla necessary to get a gun. I simply can't imagine myself investing time and energy in things like safety drills and dry fire practice, and I can't imagine owning something as dangerous as a gun without doing all of that. Plus the whole commie Canada anti-gun pinko liberal thing. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

06-02-2009, 03:10 PM	#16 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	Martian: I could give you a good basic safety class in about 10 minutes. It isn't complicated..The rules are redundant so a simple mistake results in nothing more than embarrasment. you really have to break a bunch in order to cause harm. In no particular order: 1: Don't point the gun at things you would rather not get shot (self explanatory) 2: Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot: If you look, you will notice all trained firearms users have their index finger laying flat along the side of the weapon when they are not actually shooting. If you have your finger in the trigger you may accidentally squeeze a round off for any number of reasons (surprise, excitement, you tripped, got bumped, etc) and as a general rule, a safety is used but not relied on. If nothing touches the trigger the weapon won't fire. 3: Treat your weapon as if it is loaded. Just because you unloaded your pistol does not mean you should demonstrate by pointing it at someone and pulling the trigger. Exceptions are dry-firing and other drills immediately preceded by a deliberate clear of the weapon. Edit because that sounds wrong: You are still not going to shoot at anyone, unloaded or no. You are just asking for the worst mistake of your life. The only exceptions I am aware of are retention drills after multiple parties have verified the weapon is unloaded. Almost forgot 4: Be sure of your target and what is behind it. Cardboard doesn't stop bullets. Make sure the bullets are going to stop where you want them and won't hit anything you don't along the way. I know it's common sense, but it's a rule because someone screwed it up. Clearing your weapon: 1: Attempt to put your weapon on safe. 2: Remove the source of feed (magazine, rounds in a tube, etc), 3: Remove any round in chamber 4: conduct 3 point check of the chamber itself, bolt-face, and magazine well/tube/lifter. 5: Situation dependent (before dry-firing, doing certain drills, etc): point unloaded weapon in a safe direction and pull the trigger: This will fire any round your dumb ass missed during the clearing process. Embarrasing the shit out of you but not hurting anyone (because you pointed in a safe direction). If you follow those rules, and conduct a proper clear anytime you wish your weapon to be unloaded, you can't go wrong. There is more to being a competent, lethal shooter, but that pretty much covers the basics of safety. Oh, and make sure your kids can't get to them. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence Last edited by Slims; 06-02-2009 at 03:17 PM..

06-05-2009, 05:59 PM	#17 (permalink)
raptor9k Crazy Location: Earth	deleted Last edited by raptor9k; 09-08-2021 at 04:56 AM..