When I was shopping for a 930 (general "tactical" use and hopefully for 3-gun or other practical match use when I find a place to do so), I was torn between an SPX and the JM Pro. I found a good deal on a very lightly used SPX with pistol grip stock and a Nordic +1 already installed, so I bought it. That was in September 2013 and I finally got out and shot it last weekend after adding a longer (barrel length) Nordic. The gun shot perfectly including some of my old target reloads, field loads and a couple of different buckshot loads.
But I didn't find it fun to shoot, even with the light and field loads. I'm not particularly recoil sensitive, but I've never liked shooting heavy 12 gauge shotgun loads. The soft-shooting reputation of the 930 was one of the main reasons I picked it. I think what I'm finding is that the Choate pistol-grip stock is NOT a friendly shape. I understand Limbsaver has a new pad just for this stock, but apparently they aren't quite on the market yet (but due any time).
Another thing I may not like is that much of what I read about 3-gun and shotgun matches is that the 18.5" cylinder bore barrel is NOT ideal. Slightly longer barrels and changeable chokes are better for this.
So...I can add a better recoil pad to my Choate stock when they are available, or swap it out for a standard stock. And I can buy a JM 22" or 24" barrel to replace the 18.5", but then I have to deal with the ghost ring rear sight on my shotgun. Or I could sent my barrel out to have it fitted for choke tubes and maybe have the forcing cone lengthened to also lower recoil (and improve follow-up shots).
Or maybe I should just sell this gun and get a JM. It looks like the SPX sells for more than the JM (about $100 difference at the wholesale level). I can likely get enough for my gun to buy the JM, or really close.
Thoughts?
Rob
But I didn't find it fun to shoot, even with the light and field loads. I'm not particularly recoil sensitive, but I've never liked shooting heavy 12 gauge shotgun loads. The soft-shooting reputation of the 930 was one of the main reasons I picked it. I think what I'm finding is that the Choate pistol-grip stock is NOT a friendly shape. I understand Limbsaver has a new pad just for this stock, but apparently they aren't quite on the market yet (but due any time).
Another thing I may not like is that much of what I read about 3-gun and shotgun matches is that the 18.5" cylinder bore barrel is NOT ideal. Slightly longer barrels and changeable chokes are better for this.
So...I can add a better recoil pad to my Choate stock when they are available, or swap it out for a standard stock. And I can buy a JM 22" or 24" barrel to replace the 18.5", but then I have to deal with the ghost ring rear sight on my shotgun. Or I could sent my barrel out to have it fitted for choke tubes and maybe have the forcing cone lengthened to also lower recoil (and improve follow-up shots).
Or maybe I should just sell this gun and get a JM. It looks like the SPX sells for more than the JM (about $100 difference at the wholesale level). I can likely get enough for my gun to buy the JM, or really close.
Thoughts?
Rob