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New to shotguns....


keep0njeepin0n

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Hey, as stated I am new to owning a shotgun. Have been in the market for one for quite some time, but been too picky about what I wanted. I came across a used M1 Super 90 with 24" barrel for $300 and it's in perfect condition. Even though it wasn't EXACTLY what I wanted, it did meet the basic criteria, i.e. 12 gauge, and semi auto. Being in excellent condition and hardly ever used at all, I figured I was stupid not to buy it.

 

Since I am new to shotguns (not new to other guns/firearms) I was hoping this would be the best place to get some suggestions. This shotgun will NOT be used for hunting AT ALL!!! Not that I am against hunting, just not my thing is all.

 

That being said, this will be more of a home defense/target shotgun, and maybe once in a while some skeet. Is the 24" barrel too much? Should I be looking for an 18" barrel? It seems like it's pretty long, but then again, I am NEW to owning shotguns. Would I be ruining the gun by putting a pistol grip stock on it and maybe an 18" barrel?

 

What are some things I should be aware of with this gun. Also, can anyone tell me how to find out how old this thing is?!?!?!

 

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

--Jon

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Hey, as stated I am new to owning a shotgun. Have been in the market for one for quite some time, but been too picky about what I wanted. I came across a used M1 Super 90 with 24" barrel for $300 and it's in perfect condition. Even though it wasn't EXACTLY what I wanted, it did meet the basic criteria, i.e. 12 gauge, and semi auto. Being in excellent condition and hardly ever used at all, I figured I was stupid not to buy it.

 

Since I am new to shotguns (not new to other guns/firearms) I was hoping this would be the best place to get some suggestions. This shotgun will NOT be used for hunting AT ALL!!! Not that I am against hunting, just not my thing is all.

 

That being said, this will be more of a home defense/target shotgun, and maybe once in a while some skeet. Is the 24" barrel too much? Should I be looking for an 18" barrel? It seems like it's pretty long, but then again, I am NEW to owning shotguns. Would I be ruining the gun by putting a pistol grip stock on it and maybe an 18" barrel?

 

What are some things I should be aware of with this gun. Also, can anyone tell me how to find out how old this thing is?!?!?!

 

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

--Jon

 

Welcome

 

First, you got a great deal.

 

For home defense a 24 inch barrel maybe a bit to long but for skeet/sporting clays it would be great. As far as adding stuff to it, its your gun. Do with what you want.

 

Congrats on your purchase.

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As for the age of your M1. There's a little rectangle with a couple letters in it stamped in your receiver near he trigger guard. Match that code to the chart in post #2 of this thread:

 

http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19454

 

This will give you the year of manufacture

 

As far as things to know about it. It's an excellent shotgun! Biggest Benelli noob issue is probably not knowing how the cartridge drop lever works. People think their shotgun isn't cycling properly. Study your manual which you can download from the Benelli site if you didn't get one with the gun.

 

Later,

Hookster :)

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As for the age of your M1. There's a little rectangle with a couple letters in it stamped in your receiver near he trigger guard. Match that code to the chart...............

 

 

 

Later,

Hookster :)

 

Hookster,

 

Thanks for that man, I now see that mine is stamped with BS which means it was made in 2002! Don't know if the newer ones are better than the older ones, but at least now I know for sure how old it is!

 

I'm really debating on whether or not I should change barrels....is 24" really too big for home defense? Seems from what I've read, and what I'm wanting to do with it, that 22" would be the IDEAL happy medium, but I don't know if it's worth the trouble for 2"!!!!

 

Also, where's the best place and who makes the best magazine extensions for this thing???

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I'm really debating on whether or not I should change barrels....is 24" really too big for home defense? Seems from what I've read, and what I'm wanting to do with it, that 22" would be the IDEAL happy medium, but I don't know if it's worth the trouble for 2"!!!!

 

Here is my personal stance on the whole HD thing, you really need to know what your plan is going to be and then fit your shotgun to that plan. I'm not a fan of house hunting, I'm not going to go poking around my house in the middle of the night with some intruder (armed or otherwise) in there with me. In my house the bedrooms are separated from the living area (living room/kitchen/etc) by a good length hallway. So if it comes down to it I'm going to setup at the end of the hallway and wait for the police to come. If you are a burglar and want to trash the living room go ahead, I don't even LIKE that TV, oh and there is some nasty tasting cheese in the fridge have that too. But come down that hallway at me and it is going to be over. As such my M2 with the 28" barrel on it works just great.

 

That said for the HD figure out what your plan is and if you need the shorter barrel then you have a decent reason why you are doing it. Personally if you were going to go that direction I would go all the way to 18" as I don't think you will see too much difference for 2".

 

So I thought I would throw that out there, just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it. :D

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Here is my personal stance on the whole HD thing, you really need to know what your plan is going to be and then fit your shotgun to that plan. I'm not a fan of house hunting, I'm not going to go poking around my house in the middle of the night with some intruder (armed or otherwise) in there with me. In my house the bedrooms are separated from the living area (living room/kitchen/etc) by a good length hallway. So if it comes down to it I'm going to setup at the end of the hallway and wait for the police to come. If you are a burglar and want to trash the living room go ahead, I don't even LIKE that TV, oh and there is some nasty tasting cheese in the fridge have that too. But come down that hallway at me and it is going to be over. As such my M2 with the 28" barrel on it works just great.

 

That said for the HD figure out what your plan is and if you need the shorter barrel then you have a decent reason why you are doing it. Personally if you were going to go that direction I would go all the way to 18" as I don't think you will see too much difference for 2".

 

So I thought I would throw that out there, just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it. :D

 

Good points exactly, and I have thought about an 18" barrel, but then I've heard it may not be so great for skeet/target, which is the only other thing this will be used for. And really, at 18", will I notice....or should I say, will the 6" difference from the 18 to my 24 really hinder me that much?!?! I can't see as where it would....if so, there's always my pistol!!!

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So I just removed the choke (only one came with it since it was used) from the barrel. There were a couple things stamped onto it. The first line read: "NO STEEL SHOT -F-*" The second line just said Benelli Armi....so since I know nothing about these things (can't stress that enough) I am going to ASS-U-ME that it is a full choke? If not, how else can I tell?

 

As stated above, this will only be used for HD and skeet/target shooting, and I don't want to have a bunch of extra chokes if I don't need them. SO....would a modified choke be practical for everything I want to use it for? Would I also be ok using a modified for slugs, because I DO want to use slugs as well, and plan on using rifled slugs!

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So I just removed the choke (only one came with it since it was used) from the barrel. There were a couple things stamped onto it. The first line read: "NO STEEL SHOT -F-*" The second line just said Benelli Armi....so since I know nothing about these things (can't stress that enough) I am going to ASS-U-ME that it is a full choke? If not, how else can I tell?

 

As stated above, this will only be used for HD and skeet/target shooting, and I don't want to have a bunch of extra chokes if I don't need them. SO....would a modified choke be practical for everything I want to use it for? Would I also be ok using a modified for slugs, because I DO want to use slugs as well, and plan on using rifled slugs!

 

A Modified choke is what you want. You now have a full.

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Ok, so modified chokes are safe/okay to use with rifled slugs? Just want to make sure because I've heard yes and no from different internet sources.

 

Benelli says CYL or IC, but the M4 comes with a MOD and I use a MOD and on the box of slugs that I prefer (Remington Sluggers), it says safe up to full. Buy a rifled/foster-style slug and it should be fine.

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Benelli says CYL or IC, but the M4 comes with a MOD and I use a MOD and on the box of slugs that I prefer (Remington Sluggers), it says safe up to full. Buy a rifled/foster-style slug and it should be fine.

 

Good to know thanks for the info!

 

I do have one more NEWB question....for now! lol...excuse my ignorance but you guys have been great and I appreciate it!

 

Is there a difference between an M1 and an M1 Super 90?? Or do people just say M1 for short? If so, what is the difference as far as parts buying is concerned! Are they interchangeable?

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I have a new M4 "Super 90" but it's the typical M4 so I assume it's the same for M1's. As far as using your M1 for Skeet, trap, clays, don't worry about barrel length. At 20-50 yards it makes little difference assuming you're comfortable with the gun and it's a good fit. What does make a difference is chokes and sights. My M4 has a ghost ring sight which is great for targets but not so good for flying things. As far as chokes there is a lot of info in the web. Just google shotgun chokes and you'll find out all you need to know.

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I have a new M4 "Super 90" but it's the typical M4 so I assume it's the same for M1's. As far as using your M1 for Skeet, trap, clays, don't worry about barrel length. At 20-50 yards it makes little difference assuming you're comfortable with the gun and it's a good fit. What does make a difference is chokes and sights. My M4 has a ghost ring sight which is great for targets but not so good for flying things. As far as chokes there is a lot of info in the web. Just google shotgun chokes and you'll find out all you need to know.

 

Yeah...this one is the M1 super 90.....do you thing a Pistol Grip stock would look stupid on a 24" barrel? I think I want to keep the barrel length the same, but add a PG stock and a mag extension.

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Well, I just shot this thing today during halftime of the Carolina/Clemson game....shoots really nice and had no problems at all!!! Really nice weapon!! I will be giving the guy cash for it on Monday....I think I'm really getting a good deal for $300.

 

Can't decide if I really want the pistol grip or not but I DO know I want the Mag tube extension....just don't really know which one to buy and what if any extra parts I might need that don't come with it.

 

As for the PG stock....can someone shed some light that has used both....what are the pro/con's if any for regular and PG style??? Would a PG style not allow me to use it in a skeet competition???

 

Thanks again in advance, you have all been very helpful thus far!

 

--Jon

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