best practical shotgun

[nearly there]

Hi guys what's do you recommend for a good practical shotgun.it be section two to start then I'd add a magazine extension when relevant variation is done.thanks

[saddler]

...add a magazine extension? New one to me.
You could add ANY extension tube to a S.2 shotgun, without any change to capacity; the crimp near the receiver stops more then 2 rounds being loaded into the tube.

IF you go down the S.2 route then intend to convert it to S.1, you'll need to choose a shotgun that has an easily replaceable main magazine tube.
Once the crimped S.2 tube is removed & replaced by a standard capacity tube, you THEN add an extension to this un-crimped tube.
OR - IF you want to try the crimped fixed magazine style, you MAY be able to have the S.2 crimp ring eased open...but only after you have S.1 permission.

I run a Remington 870, others prefer Mossbergs - others are semi-auto users

Try to have a go with some S.2 versions of the gun you eventually want to keep as a main S.1 gun.

LOTS of 2nd-hand bargains out there, esp. S.1 = so it MAY be an idea to get a S.2 to learn the basics with/pass courses, then sell it & buy a cheaper S.1 example of the same gun. You don't normally lose money on 2nd-hand shotguns as long as you look after them

[Demonic69]

As Saddler says, it's not easy to convert most s2 to s1. Use any section 2, then get a section 1 when you're ready.
Your options are myriad! Benelli, Beretta, Mossberg, Winchester, Remington, stoeger, Hatsan etc etc.
Where do you shoot? See what the guys are using there, have a feel (not a shoot obviously...) And see what you like. At my club we have all sorts and no single opinion on what's best.
I love my Vinci, suits me, shoots well and it's easily modified. One guy loves his Winchester, another loves his 11-87 so much he bought 2!
Are you wanting pump, semi, box-fed, lever, bolt?

[nearly there]

I'm after a semi auto with internal magazine.I like the Winchester sx3.Thanks for the advice

[BamBam]

I only have experience with section 1 shotguns, so can't say which S2 will convert easily.
That said, the SX3 is a good gun and works well, I've see a few go wrong, but that can be said for most of the shotguns out there, including my own.

[ChAoS]

Benelli Supernova (pump) and Benelli M2 (semi) are very popular. (Last year, I shot a club comp with a squad in which I was the *only* shooter *not* using a Supernova.) The Beretta 1301 (semi) is getting popular. Also, the Bora (box-fed) is attracting a lot of attention.

However, if you're shooting for *fun*, rather than to *win*, you might like to try something a little ... "different" (in this case, a lever-action):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaztoqH5HFM

Whatever you get, stay safe and have *fun*. :)

Regards,

Mark.

[Blackstuff]

Most gunsmiths will remove restricted magazine tubes from the gun completely and replace it with an unrestricted one, rather than simply uncrimp the tube as A/ Some can't be done B/ Some can be done but leads to reliability issues C/ Its less of a 'grey area'

Therefore you should look for guns which are popular as S1 shotguns as they will be best in terms of availability of parts and familiarity for the gunsmith to do the work.

Semi's
Benelli M2
Winchester Sx3
Beretta 1301
Mossberg JMPro 730

Most of the current top IPSC semi-auto shooters use modified M2s

Pumps
Benelli Supernova
Mossberg 500/590
Remington 870

Most of the current top IPSC pump shooters use Supernovas and 870s

Do not, i repeat DO NOT buy a Hatsan Escort for PSG

ALWAYS attend at least one PSG match/practice BEFORE buying the shotgun you're going to use for PSG. See what others are using. Ask a range of people their opinions, and if possible have a try of each.

If you're planning on getting into PSG competitively how you chose to load the gun will to some extent dictate which gun would be best. Again, attend matches, see how people are loading their guns, have a try before buying.

[Sim G]

Semi auto, there is only one, the M2. Likewise, pump, there is only one, the 870.

[saddler]

Good to see others also suggest the 870, a very good choice. I've got a S.1 & a S.2

The magazine tube is a "factory only" replacement part however; so if you have a crimped one & want to change it to a standard capacity, you're stuffed; you'd be better buying a S.2 version then selling it to fund a S.1 version

[Chuck]

I would also suggest buying one one that fits you........................no point in buying a specific brand "NAME" if your arms are too wee etc etc

If you can't handle it properly them no matter what it is, it will not do what you want it to do.

Ask others if you can try theirs before shelling out (no pun intended).