Bradgsxr

Thanks for correcting me on this guys, not quite sure how pushing on the stupid shell catch got so EFFING complicated, like I said , rack em out the chamber - ---

I mean it does not pivot into the lifter , sorry for trying to help, just unload the thing by racking every round out the chamber as this is obviously the only way -

Someone showed me how to do it when I had a bone stock tactical and it worked fine so it can't be anything Triangle did to it because I unloaded it this way before they worked on it. Mine has plenty of flex in the shell catch to push it out of the way, only have to move it a little to release a shell. I just looked at mine and the shell catch runs way back into the trigger area so there is no pivoting, if you push out way up by the mag tube ( basically you are pushing out on the bolt release button from the inside, you can see the round bolt release push out when you do it ) you only have to move it 1-2 mm and it releases a shell. What versa max do you have?

My Versa Max unloads easily by pushing the shell catch in the loading port, little push, out pops a shell ( while holding the lifter up of course). I can unload 10 rounds very quickly this way, can only do 1 at a time as you have to move your finger to let the shell out but after many times loading and unloading I do 10 pretty fast -

This is the only pic I have of the port, sold the gun so no longer able to take any more pics - I couldn't do quads easily with it, I bought it as a backup to my Versa Max but I sold it and bought another Versa Max. I too liked the gun but I only load quads now so it was a deal breaker for me - I should say I could do quads with the 1301, just nowhere as easily as the Versa Max -

I had the port on my 1301 opened up more than some I have seen on here, you can get the front angles to work much better but I stopped removing material to avoid problems with the follower stop. It works good for deuces but it will never work as well as an opened up Benelli or Versa Max for quads IMO. At least I haven't seen one that did yet and mine was about as open as it could get.

Good to know, I guess I am going to have to start experimenting with some heavier loads so I know how my gun performs with those - Thanks

I see all these guys talking about shooting #6 's and 3" shells, prairie storm shells etc... but every match , 3 gun and shotgun matches ,that I have been to, has stipulated 2 3/4 max and no bigger than 7 1/2 shot size. Is it different at the major matches? I would imagine that every match sets it's own rules with regards to shot size etc... but it seems to be the norm at the bigger matches to carry some really hot loads and heavier shot. Even the Nordic match dictates 2 3/4 and no bigger than 7 1/2 . Just wondering when a person starts going to national matches if stronger loads are usually allowed?

I just bought a couple of the Taran pmag extensions and they seem like really nice pieces, haven't gotten to use them in a match yet but I really like the friction pin setup for taking them on and off. I haven't had any issues with the Nordic extensions yet, seem to work well and have been pretty secure.

I have to agree with Mark, the Versa Max is much easier to load and is the softest shooting 12 gauge shotgun I have ever shot by far. It's only weakness is weight, it has been the most reliable gun I have owned and eats any ammo ( I don't buy stuff with crappy crimps etc.. ) but velocity etc... does not matter, it will shoot it - I have owned a 1301 also and did all the port mods etc..., it is by no means a bad gun, just not as nice as my Versa IMO -

mgunner, I apologize as I didn't really read your post thoroughly and thought you were just talking about opening the port, you are right, the bolt hold open lever was not addressed in that video. I don't own a Vinci so I am afraid I can't help -

There is an excellent video on prepping the Vinci for 3 gun ( opening loading port etc... ) in the shotgun technical section of this forum, it was done by Shane Zeppelin from Nordic Components and it will answer all of your questions -

I e-mailed Andy last week with the same question and he said BRM3G --

Hey Shane, Yeah it was great to shoot with you guys again also, that was my first match of the year and I was definitely shaking some rust off. Now if I could just get through the next one without completely tanking a stage, I will be super happy! That one stage just wasted my overall finish but that's how it goes sometimes. Congrats on winning the Tac-limited division! you shot awesome and Ken won his division too I think! Quit practicing with that rifle now, you are good enough with that thing!! Looks like that Vinci ran like a top too - good job - Looking forward to the next match and Nordic for sure - Brad

Hey Chris, I thought I saw some of their stuff on the prize table at the Jeff Kirkwold match but wasn't sure because like you said the name wasn't familiar. Thanks for the info, I think I will try a BCG from them, gotta support the companies that support us shooters, especially at the local level- Thanks again -

Shooter 115, Do you or anyone you know run the APF that you provided the link for? That is an awesome price if they are decent quality. I was reading the other threads about lightweight carriers etc... and while they sound like the hot setup, pricing things out on JP's site, I don't think the cost is worth it for this gun, I would love to have a rifle setup like that but I would probably be better off putting that money into upgrading my pistol and down the road buying a JP complete rifle that is better setup than mine. Thanks for the link though, that would solve my cleaning issue for a reasonable amount- Thanks for the input guys -

Yeah I guess I should have said I have a nice Lancer carbon hanguard, low profile gas block, Miculek comp, AR gold trigger, Vltor stock and buffer, BCM charging handle, BAD lever with a MTAC 1-4 and PEPPR mount. I have been real happy with it, it is pretty accurate, always runs, not too heavy. I have all the different mags etc... but I just hate trying to get the carbon off that stock bolt carrier and thought maybe it would be worth it to upgrade and go with a low mass if it was worth the money -

Yeah I have a Miculek comp on it and have been pretty happy with it, as far as adjustable gas block, then do you tune it to the loads you are shooting. I usually just shoot federal 55 grain .

I am very new to the AR world and last year bought a basic M&P 15 to set up for 3 gun. Only has a 16" barrel ( I know a lot of guys prefer longer but I was building on a budget ) but I have set it up to work nicely for 3 gun which is all I use it for. My question is I would like to replace the stock bolt carrier group as it has the plain black phosphate coated one that it came with and I would like to go to something that would be much easier to clean like a nickel boron coated or a stainless etc... I am wondering what is the best as far as ease of cleaning and good wear life etc... and being that it is strictly a 3 gun rifle, is it worth it to go to a " low mass " carrier ? From what I understand, the lighter carriers reduce the recoil but you then have to change buffer etc... is it worth it or should I just stick with a good coated BCG and call it good. Eventually I would like to go to a nice JP with a little longer barrel etc... but for now I am going to stick with the M&P as it is working well for me and my abilities don't warrant better equipment yet just looking to make clean up easier etc... Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I have looked at the JP's, AP rhino etc.... any other brands I should look at ? - Thanks for any help -

I haven't tried the IP caddies yet but they look like they are very good quality but as far as load 2, the AP customs are the easiest to grab and come out of the clips the easiest of all the ones I have tried. The downside to that is they don't hold as well when more aggressive movement is needed or going prone etc... They have alot more space between the stacks of shells which I found nice when you are on the move and grabbing for shells, I got to where I didn't even have to look down, I could just focus on the loading port and where I was going etc... The downside to the extra space is you can't get as many shells on your belt. I agree with Sterling that having multiple types of caddies is very beneficial for different stages but it is nice to be able to switch them quickly which needs the ELS or TMMS clips also. The best advice is to go to a match and ask different people with the different setups if you can try them, that way you get a feel for what works for you and most guys have extra caddies etc... that they are happy to loan you to try -

How's the loading port on the comp tactical model? Does it need any additional opening or did they get it right?

Yeah Shane, I was thinking I would go to the memorial 3 gun this weekend so I will definitely take you up on that. I think I will try a Limbsaver on it as I have heard good things about them, it is worth a shot, can't imagine it wouldn't help some. By the way, I watched that short video of your daughter shooting, that was really her first time shooting a shotgun? She definitely is a natural then!

Hey Shane, Yeah it is pretty tough to get any less recoil than the Versa, I haven't got to shoot a Benelli semi auto yet but I like the look and ergonomics of the Vinci more than the M2. I picked up a 24" Beretta 1301 for my daughter ( least that's what I told her mom ) as she has trouble holding the Versa up because it is so front heavy. I have only gotten to shoot maybe a box of shells through it though and once I got past the initial ( holy crap this things kicks a lot more than the Versa ) I am still on the fence. It seems like a really nice gun, fit and finish is nice and it is very light. It certainly functions well but I hate the stock on it, cheesy plastic spacer and no recoil pad, first couple of times I pulled the trigger it got me in the cheek enough to notice for sure but again I think I have gotten so used to how soft the Versa shoots it surprised me I think. I am sure the kick-off stock would help a lot but investing hundreds more in it just to make it more comfortable doesn't thrill me. I am still partial to the Versa but mainly because I am so used to it and it has been flawless for thousands of rounds but I see the benefit to a much lighter gun. If I see you at the next match I would love to check out your Vinci - Looks like a sweet gun ! I did finally buy a Benelli though, picked up a new Supernova to play with, haven't got to shoot it yet though. Did you open up the loading port on your Supernova much? I can't seem to stop buying shotguns, they are just too much fun! Hopefully I will see ya soon - Oh yeah, any inside info on the Nordic match you can pm me with the details - j/k

Hey Shane, Great post on how to do the work! Might have to get me a Vinci in the future as the old trusty Versa Max is feeling a bit heavy! How does the Vinci compare with the M2 recoil wise ? And does this mean you are not shooting pump for Nordic this year? I really enjoyed shooting with you Nordic boys last year and I hope to get squadded with you guys again, I requested that on my form ( if you guys will have me ) and say Hi to Harlow for me, I really enjoyed shooting the shit with him over the 2 days and after the prizes I never got to tell him that - Hopefully I will see you and Harlow at the next 3 - gun match as I saw he made the first one - See ya soon - Brad McMahon

Hey Tim, Are you referring to sanding the material away that holds the third stack at the back like the directions that come with it state? I figured that I would have to get the shells to release easier if I ever wanted this to work -