Thinking of FN SLP Mk1 for 3Gun, ok for trap/skeet

[KestrelBike]

So assuming I like the ergonomics of it, I'm thinking of getting an FN SLP Mk 1 ($1,100). It has a 22" Barrel. So it's perfect for 3-gun, but I'm wondering how useful it would be for casual trap/skeet. Will the barrel be too short to shoot decently? I don't plan on doing competition trap/skeet, it would strictly be for fun.

It's also occurred to me that FN sells long replacement barrels, but who knows how expensive those are.

Re: buying such an expensive gun in the first place, I'm firmly in the Buy Once Cry Once camp. I've seen nothing but awesome reviews for it, and it'd be an good HD gun, so assuming I like the fit personally, I'm sold. Still I welcome any/all thoughts!

[MarkCO]

I currently shoot and own an FN SLP tricked out for 3G...but I will most likely be shooting a Versa-Max next year. The VM Tactical is $1100 or less and is as close to perfect for 3G as you can get. The SLPs are about $950, and need about $200 worth of parts. Plus, the first 1000 rounds can be sketchy getting it all iron out.

The 26" VM is about $950, needs $200 worth of parts and might be the perfect multi-use gun for clay games, hunting and 3Gun.

[CareyH]

Yeah what he said.

I am thinking about going back to tactical division next year, and I am going to get the 26" Versa max. Not that the SLP is a bad gun or anything but, for the same price you can get the newest and best design out there IMO.

[KestrelBike]

I currently shoot and own an FN SLP tricked out for 3G...but I will most likely be shooting a Versa-Max next year. The VM Tactical is $1100 or less and is as close to perfect for 3G as you can get. The SLPs are about $950, and need about $200 worth of parts. Plus, the first 1000 rounds can be sketchy getting it all iron out.

The 26" VM is about $950, needs $200 worth of parts and might be the perfect multi-use gun for clay games, hunting and 3Gun.

Thanks to you & CareyH for your thoughts. MarkCO, why in particular are you going to get a Versa-Max if you already have an SLP? To you, what gives the VM the edge in comparison? Thanks!

[MarkCO]

3.5" loading port vs. a 3" loading port = easier and smoother loading.

NO piston to break, tune or clean = less time on maintenance.

Self-adjusting gas volume = Shooting 2 3/4 dram loads up to MAX 3" Magnum loads with no worries of breaking to gun. More versatility over a stage.

Softer recoil = Faster splits and transitions.

The piston tubes and action are in the receiver and barrel, not on the magazine tube. This is also a benefit from a reliabilty standpoint.

SLPs are about 10K to 12K round guns before you need a total rebuild, and hoping the pin holes and receiver will take oversized pins for another 5K or so. The VM is easily a 30K gun. The VM runs 100% out of the box. The SLP takes those several hundred to 1K rounds to be 100% reliable.

I went with the SLP primarily because of the slug accuracy and the one piece mag tube. The VM has the slug accuracy and I happen to have a prototype one piece tube for the VM. :)

[MarkCO]

Come on out to CRC on Saturday and take a look. There will be at least two VMs and several SLPs there.

[KestrelBike]

3.5" loading port vs. a 3" loading port = easier and smoother loading.

NO piston to break, tune or clean = less time on maintenance.

Self-adjusting gas volume = Shooting 2 3/4 dram loads up to MAX 3" Magnum loads with no worries of breaking to gun. More versatility over a stage.

Softer recoil = Faster splits and transitions.

The piston tubes and action are in the receiver and barrel, not on the magazine tube. This is also a benefit from a reliabilty standpoint.

SLPs are about 10K to 12K round guns before you need a total rebuild, and hoping the pin holes and receiver will take oversized pins for another 5K or so. The VM is easily a 30K gun. The VM runs 100% out of the box. The SLP takes those several hundred to 1K rounds to be 100% reliable.

I went with the SLP primarily because of the slug accuracy and the one piece mag tube. The VM has the slug accuracy and I happen to have a prototype one piece tube for the VM. :)

Wow great information. Just spent the past hour+ looking at reviews. I can definitely see the mechanical advantage of the VM's simpler operation. Luckily, I'm not in too much of a hurry, so I'm going to do some more homework on this stuff. I'll see if I can swing going to CRC this saturday to check out the 3gun shoot, thanks for the head's up on it!

[MarkCO]

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/Markcolo/2012-09-21_15-53-58_22_zps5a92a979.jpg

Here is a photo of the one-piece tube for the VM. This was one of the first two produced and it is a 8+1 configuration making the gun a 9+1. The Remington sponsored shooters are running a second small batch of them this weekend at the FB3G match. Hopefully reviews are good and these will make it into the marketplace. If so, the one piece tube helps with reliability of heavy recoiling loads and slug accuracy.

[KestrelBike]

There's something about the FN being out for almost 5 years with an awesome reputation, and then the versa max which also has a great reputation as far as I can see, but as you point out the technology is a lot newer, they're still developing parts, etc. if the FN is a 10-12k round gun, honestly I gotta say that's a lot more than I will shoot in 2 decades, and at that point if I can't afford the latest and greatest, a replacement shotgun will be the least of my worries. Tomorrow I might have to go spend on a belt and work out some kind of shot shell pouch.

I'm going to check out the FN at Firing Line, and will also check out the VM if they have one. Thanks for the interesting pic! Still seeing if I can make the drive Saturday to CRC. If I drive out there, I'd really rather participate than just watch.

[MarkCO]

If you want the best loading systems for shotgun on the market, click on the Carbon Arms link in my signature line and go to TWinS product page.

If you watch 3Gun Nation, about half of the featured shooters use our products. Of the rest, most have bought our stuff and will be using it next year. We just sent out huge orders to Remington and FNH for their 3Gun Shooting Teams.

As for the FN, I am in the process of modding one out right now for another local shooter. They are certainly a very solid platform and I am probably going to keep my current one for the boys when they get big enough to shoot 3Gun. If you get one, I'm more than willing to let you look at mine and show you how to do the best mods for 3Gun.

[KestrelBike]

Thanks very much, MarkCO! I went ahead and got the SLP. I checked out your website and will definitely take another look when I get more advanced with what gear I feel I'm comfortable using.

Anyways, back to the SLP... Loading the 2nd or 3rd shell, I got bit hah!

I suppose in my purchasing enthusiasm I didn't notice this, but this is obviously going to have to be altered, and damn soon:

http://i45.tinypic.com/33uwpdj.jpg

I don't know why they modeled the loading gate after the devil's pitchfork, but all I know is that I currently have to push my thumb farther than the end of the gate in order to lock the shell into the magazine. The gate shut down over my thumb while I was pulling it out to load another shell, it dug in, and my thumb ripped. I bled a bit over/into the gun which was fun, kept shooting, and got to thinking about how to solve this.

I've seen websites that have a gunsmith one can send the trigger-pack/gate to to have them weld a piece over the prongs, but I'm wondering if I can do this cheaply myself? Unfortunately, I don't have many tools, especially no weld/soldering kit. I do have a simple dremel kit, and I've though about taking the bite out of those prongs.

Why FN why???

http://i45.tinypic.com/1tpzqw.jpg

[agentutah]

any body using a model 37 Ithaca for 3 gun

[MarkCO]

As for the "fork" on the loading gate, yes most people weld them up. The metal is very hard. We are working on a simpler solution than welding, but as of now, that is the only answer that works long term.

Never seen an Ithaca 37 at a match, but I recall someone back East trying to make one work.