I could really use some help from the experts before I make a $1,500 mistake. Sorry for the long post, but I there are a lot of details to consider.
I am considering buying the M2. The primary purpose of the gun is for home defense. Unfortunately the only place I have available to practice is a local sport shooting club. The minimum barrel length they allow is 26”. So I want to get an extra 26” barrel to use for practice (trap/skeet/sporting clays) and keep the 18.5” for home security.
When using the 26” barrel, I’ll be shooting target rounds due to limits at the club. I’ll be using typical #4 buckshot with the 18.5” barrel. I don’t need the ability to shoot slugs.
I know the barrels are interchangeable, but my concern is that the heavier barrel could cause some cycling issues. The main assumption I am making is that if you increase the weight of the gun then you probably need a lighter recoil spring. I read that the tactical version comes with a heavier recoil spring then the field version. So I would probably need to go with the field version of the spring.
Are there any other differences between the field and tactical versions other than the sights and the magazine capacity? The field version says “Receiver drilled and tapped for scope mounting” and the tactical version says “Receiver drilled and tapped for 93A Weaver base” – is this different? (Ya, I’m new to this gun stuff in case that wasn’t already obvious).
If they are the same, then I probably don’t want the tactical version since I would have to replace the recoil spring. So I would buy the M2 field version with the 26” barrel and buy the 18” barrel (probably the one with rifle sites so I don’t need to remove the front ghost ring site when I switch barrels). I’ll add a mag extension to bring it to 7+1 (unfortunately, adding even more weight). I’d like to add a light also.
Given the info above, how likely is it that the M2 would not have cycling issues in both setups I’ll be using? I don’t mind if I have an occasional short cycle when practicing, but it has to be rock solid when setup in the defense configuration. Am I asking too much from the M2? If so, then I’ll probably go with the Supernova instead.
Thanks for the help,
Dan