Vicious

It does and I have been meaning to switch to something better. I can zoom in if I click the image though.

I love it. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy shooting it because I find nothing more pleasurable to shoot than a full size pistol (my G21 ). It is a solid little pistol. My first time shooting it, however, I had maybe 3 total hangups. After pulling the trigger and keeping it held back, the gun would cycle, but fail to go into battery. Not locked back or anything but maybe 1/8th of an inch or less out of battery. A slight nudge would send it home. I hadn't cleaned or lubed it. I pulled it out of the box, ran a bore snake through it, and proceeded to fire about 200 rounds. It only happened in a few of the first mags, and never again after I cleaned/ lubed it. It was and still is a pretty tight pistol, but I have at least 600 rounds through it, and I have complete confidence with it. I'll leave this here for now. Probably delete it tomorrow: http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/Vicious_Pics/library/Nothing%20Fancy

I had to make the same choice, and I decided on a Walter PPS M2. It fits me perfectly, and even better with Talon grips on it. With a 19/26 size gun concealed, it looks like I have a growth. With the 1" profile of my single stack I can hide it anywhere. I should note that I wear normal clothes that fit properly. Not loose or baggy at all. In regard to your specific question, I picked the Shield over the 43 (and I love Glocks) because I had trouble using the magazine release on the 43. Ultimately I chose the PPS because it felt like an improved Shield.

I was looking for something with a steel receiver, dual action bars, 18" or 18.5" barrel with a flush mag tube, ability for all parts to be replaced (i.e. no pinned, staked, or riveted parts), and a great track record, or a newer manufacturer using a proven design. I want it to work when I pull the trigger. I am getting this for the purpose of shooting a lot of steel and/ or paper 50 yards and in. It will also be next to my other "bump in the night guns," but statistics say I will *never* use it. It is going to be a fun gun, but I would like something that has some pride of ownership. Jeez Ray Ray, you couldn't get that from my previous posts. I know just about any gun can do what want, but pay attention to the line "pride of ownership." That's why I started out asking about guns that may not be mainstream.

I get that, but I was willing to drop some extra cash for one that is "a cut above."

That Inland is beautiful. What is with the MSRP though? It is just a dressed up Ithaca.

Hmm... I have been meaning to stop by there anyway. I'll have to check it out.

I want to stick with current production for easy parts replacement.

Wow, that K-1200 Deluxe Riot Model is awesome. It's a shame they went out of business.

Hard to argue, but that seems subjective.

W2MC, thank you for the write-up. I haven't even looked at the High Standard offerings. I like the Browning but they lack a 18" model. The Winchester guns seem really nice, however, I believe you put it best: "middle ground between a Mossberg 500 and a Remington 870." It is nice in it's own right, but I feel like the other 2 kind of "do it better." I think in general, I am leaning toward the 870 Police model. Good reliability, easy to find parts. and as configurable as a pump can get. Also seems to have a low cost of ownership. Reading all those descriptions kinda makes me feel better about my decision. lol Shane45, why? Can you sell me on it? I know W2MC said shotguns are like chips and whatnot, but they do not appeal to me like that. That's why I was going with a classic pump. Is there any particular (objective) reason I should make the M2 my one and only? I mean, aside from showing off to my friends.

BLF, I wanted to compare them all, so I went out and felt them up. The Mossberg feels good until you actually manipulate the controls and try moving around with it. The safety was super stiff and i had to shift my grip to manipulate it. The forend had a good amount of lateral play which made it seem a little cheap. It was terribly unbalanced and front heavy. I can only imagine that getting worse when loaded. The Not that I cared, but the finish on the barrel was meh. I really wanted to like this one because on paper, it seems like the best choice. I also really like that the shell carrier stays out of the way when loading. The Remington was a cheap express model and it felt good. Balance was good, controls are placed acceptably. I was surprised that being a brand new gun that the action was buttery smooth. It may be my favorite. When I was passed the Super Nova, I felt like I was being handed a NERF bazooka. It is just huge. It is a turn off for a pump shotgun. It feels pretty good in hand, and the controls are OK (a little harder to hit the safety because of the enlarged trigger guard). The stock and grip did feel really good, and when looking down the ghost ring sights you get a great sight picture. The forend however is what kind of kills it for me. I guess because of the ability to accept 3.5" shells, the action is long, and everything forward of the stock feels like it goes on for miles. The forend is very long, but I can only comfortably grab the rear 1/2 of it, and the front 1/2 is the part that I find more comfortable. For those reasons, the Super Nova is out. I couldn't see running and gunning with it. I'd rather have a Garand. So I thought i was done at the shop, and the guy showed me a Kel-Tec KSG. It was pretty awesome, but waaaaaaaay off base from what I am looking for. I could see having some fun with it though. After the salesman shelved that, he said he had one more. He pulled a Benelli M2 off the shelf. ZOMG. I felt like a little kid. It had the "look." And when I shouldered it, well, I felt like a little kid I was so excited. The grip portion of the stock was so thin that I had a comfortable and confident grip on it. The angle also placed my finger perfectly without having to "reach" for anything. The forend was also pleasant to hold. The whole gun felt like it was meant for me. Then reality sank in when I realized that it was almost 1k more than the 870. So all day I have been debating weather or not to make the jump or not. I will decide by tomorrow after watching all the youtube videos I can find. Sorry for the essay!

Appearances don't really concern me. I like a slim gun for practical reasons. I'm not a giant, and outside of pistols, I like compact guns. The supernova seems to be the Ideal candidate, but (gonna try to explain it here) the bulkiness (?) of the receiver/ forend make the gun feel very awkward for me. The reason I don't care about the placement of the controls is that while I have some time behind an 870, I am going to dedicate some time and ammo to learning whatever I get. I guess there is no wrong choice here, so I think I need to just pick one and try it out. If I don't like it... well that's what the classifieds are for. lol

BLF, the biggest problem is that the Remington/ Moss have similar ergonomics. The safety and action release placement don't mean much to me. That's why I figured I would look for a "better" alternative. Recessed, I am definitely over thinking it. I just want the right one for me.

I mean I know that things can break, but it just seems that some models have specific problems that others do not. I love the benelli supernova, but the size kills me. Weight is never a concern, but that feels like a big gun. I feel like I do not get a comfortable purchase on the fore end (because of size/shape). The receiver being thicker is also a turn off. If it was polymer and as thin as an 870 I would be all over it. I could take or leave the ghost ring sights.

I love the look and feel of the Ithaca, but what do you do if it fails to extract in a pinch? It can be cleared, but not as readily as a shotty with a side ejection port, no? The thing that scares me about the Remmy is that if the ejector breaks, it is not easily user serviceable. It is not a "major" part (receiver, bolt, barrel), and yet I would have to send the gun back to have it fixed. It also seems a little more common with the newer 870's. Is it something people are doing wrong? Not snugging the nut/ cap that holds the barrel in place down hard enough? Really nice looking scatter guns btw.

I am debating between a Remington 870 Police model and a Mossberg 590a1. While doing my research I started looking at Winchester, Ithaca, Weatherby, Browning, and CZ. I started wondering if anyone is doing it "right." Pretty much every manufacturer (with the exception of Ithaca) offers all of their "tactical" models at a much lower price then Remington and Mossberg. The only difference is that none of them have a verifiable track record (that I could find), which leaves me skeptical. Anyways, my question is as follows: Are there any manufacturers that take all the best elements from the long time kings of the pump world and put them into one gun? Specifically, dual action bars, dual extractors, steel receiver, mag tube w/extension that is clamped to the barrel, and doesn't cut corners to make more money (ala Moss. and Remy.)? Price is not a huge issue if the quality is there. The Ithaca would be a candidate if they had a side ejection port. I didn't include Benelli, Kel-Tek, or any of those other polymer wonders because I find them all a little too bulky, and they don't interest me.

Be like me, don't have kids. I have guns 'n ammo falling out of my ears. Seriously though, get a safe or trigger locking device at a minimum. Their safety comes first.

Thanks, got some mags.

If someone tries to punch me in the face, I'm going to punch them in the face. This guy seems like he is a 1st class 4$$#013.

Buy 'em and rock 'em. Kevlar is in style every season.

I enjoy owning a plethora of calibers because *places tinfoil hat on head* when the zombies come I can use any ammo I find. In all seriousness though, it is a bit of a pain, but I like to own firearms in the caliber they were designed for or popularized by.

Lol, I don't know why, but I feel like the future has failed me every time I have to pull the handle more than once.

We have 20 round steel mags and 30 round PMAGs in my dept. They are also talking about adopting the p320 9mm which (if they do) has 17 round mags standard. What your dept. issues you for duty use is obviously subject to different rules. Remember that these rules only allow for certain exemptions while in service with your department and in good standing. Don't think LEOs have a free pass to run around doing whatever they want. /rant Carrying a gun as a LEO is not a "perk", it is a duty. It is not there just for their protection, but the protection of others as well. When a LEO uses the weapon, they bear all the burden and risk associated. Even in a justified situation, the officer will go through a lot of investigation/ review before their life can return to "normal." /end rant.

One of those blank firing guns. Forget the "tactical" training. If she cannot at least learn the proper use/ handling, maintenance, and storage that would make her comfortable with a firearm, the she (or anyone else in that situation) should not have one. Again, I'm not saying your friend has to take "urban pistol ninja XXIV class" or anything like that. A basic pistol safety course would go a long way. Maybe look into Gun For Hire. IIRC I think they do some kind of instruction where you can try different guns. It would be good to try before she buys. Learning safety builds confidence (once you understand that it isn't going to blow your face off). I trained people by making them pick one of my guns that they liked, learn to disassemble/ assemble it (to learn function), then dry fire with snap caps (including malfunction clearing) and then it was off to the range. In the mean time, tell her to upgrade her locks and get an alarm system. 3/4 oz. of O.C. can be helpful as well.