Bambihunter.....Thanks for the reply!
"I don't mean this to sound as harsh as it will likely sound, but you should probably get some instruction on shooting and basic gun handling before taking on these fine guns."
If you don't meant it to harsh then don't make the assumption that I need instruction on shooting and basic gun handling. I asked the question about the mechanics of loading a SBE shotgun.
As for "instruction on shooting" I was taught good handling and safety over 50 years ago by my Dad and my Grandfather. Then for 7 years I was in a rifle club where gun handling and safety was preached at our weekly meeting/shooting. I completed ALL the marksmanship ranks in the NRA Jr. program and won some rifle shooting compention matches (In you younger years).
"Personally, I wouldn't shoot the 3.5" shells until you are proficient with the 2 3/4" and 3" shells. It'll rattle your fillings and while nowhere close to being unmanageable, for an inexperienced shooter it could be bad - it could knock you down and/or you could drop the gun damaging it."
I started shooting a shotgun when I was about 12 years old when I started bird hunting. I did not know hunters would use a shotgun to hunt squirrels or rabbits....a shot to the head with 22 rifle worked great for me.
While I don't clam to be an expert shot with a shotgun, I would say that I consider myself "Proficient" in the shooting of a shotgun.
"I wouldn't shoot the 3.5" shells..... It'll rattle your fillings and while nowhere close to being unmanageable, for an inexperienced shooter it could be bad - it could knock you down and/or you could drop the gun damaging it."
I first shot a 45 cal simi-automatic pistol when I was 11 (with supervision) and I did not drop the gun. Yes it "jumped" a lot but I hit the target. Yes, the 3 1/2' Turkey load shells kick a little more than a 2 3/4" shell but they pattern much better at 45 yds.
Ok, I figured out why I sometimes could not load a shell into the magazine. The receiver was not fully closed.
Question....After the gun is loaded with 3 shell, I can open the receiver to remove 2 shell. The third shell stays in the magazine and I have to push siver button and then load the shell and eject it. If I were shooting the gun, would it shoot all 3 shells? My neighbors would not like it if I went outside to find out if all 3 shoot.