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VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:31 am
by Hiker
So my LGS has a used VersaMax Competition Tactical 12 ga shotgun. It is $750. Looks to be in great shape. I wanted to collect pros and cons of it. While I might use it for an occasional competition, it would mainly be for extreme defensive use. I am thinking this will be my only shotgun.
remington VersaMax_CompTac.png
https://www.remington.com/shotguns/auto ... n-tactical

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:58 am
by spara
It's a nice shotgun for that price. It's an OK 3 gun shotgun w/o modifications, better with some work. However, if this just for home defense, why not a less expensive pump shotgun such as used 870, Mossberg 500, or Stoeger P3000?

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:17 am
by Hiker
Spara, that has crossed my mind. Years ago I had a Mossberg 500. It did the job and I was happy with it. But as years have gone by, I find a preference for higher end guns, specially if I can get them at a good price. And as years have gone by I find myself in a crazier world. 2 years ago, an anonymous neighbor tried to organize a hate campaign against me. If the Klan shows up at my door, I might feel better with a 10 +1 VersaMax than a 5 or 6 round Mossberg.
On the other hand, maybe I just want a fancy gun.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:44 am
by dandad
What does a tacticool shotgun do that a shotgun cant ? With the exception of an extended mag tube, which can be installed on almost any shot , whats the advantages that would justify the cost?

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Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:55 am
by dandad
"Versaport , self regulates pressure based on length of shell"

Got to love marketing .. A fancy way of saying its a gas operated system. Which many semi auto shotguns are. Gas , or inertia operation is about your only choices.lol.

Reminds me of years ago when Chrysler advertisers touted that Chrysler was better because they put the wheels on all four corners of the car.


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Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 11:13 am
by shinzen
For $750 that looks like a screaming deal if it's in good shape. Seems that new they are selling at the big box stores for $1500.... I will say, after having the Stoeger M3000 out for a number of trap sessions, it's performed pretty darned well, although it has had issues cycling with lighter loads. I've really become a fan of the inertia driven system- but the Remington looks like (no experience with it) a major step up from the baseline three gun shotguns.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 11:46 am
by Hiker
A sales rep said the Versamax was a clone of the Bennelli shotgun. And I know they are good guns.

Some of my questions include how heavy the fully loaded gun is for someone who isn't a spring chicken anymore. Another might be the clumsiness of a 44 inch long firearm. I also wonder about how much is it a 'racing' gun, which might mean that it is made for lighter target loads, compared to a tactical shotgun that is made for higher pressures of combat loads.

I really appreciate everyone's help.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 11:55 am
by pepys

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:18 pm
by shinzen
Hiker wrote:A sales rep said the Versamax was a clone of the Bennelli shotgun. And I know they are good guns.

Some of my questions include how heavy the fully loaded gun is for someone who isn't a spring chicken anymore. Another might be the clumsiness of a 44 inch long firearm. I also wonder about how much is it a 'racing' gun, which might mean that it is made for lighter target loads, compared to a tactical shotgun that is made for higher pressures of combat loads.

I really appreciate everyone's help.
The sales rep in question would be wrong. The Benelli's use an inertia driven system rather than a gas system, which is what the Versamax appears to use from the internet research. The Stoeger is the brand that uses the Benelli system, and as far as I'm aware, the only other one on the market?

As to the weight/length question, it looks like the new models anyway are aluminum, which should make them pretty light, and a 22" barrel is pretty short for a shotgun- as it's designed for 3 gun, I'd speculate it's a pretty light and easy handling shotgun with manageable recoil- or else competitors would look elsewhere. But again, speculation as I haven't used one personally.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 1:18 pm
by spara
shinzen wrote:
Hiker wrote:A sales rep said the Versamax was a clone of the Bennelli shotgun. And I know they are good guns.

Some of my questions include how heavy the fully loaded gun is for someone who isn't a spring chicken anymore. Another might be the clumsiness of a 44 inch long firearm. I also wonder about how much is it a 'racing' gun, which might mean that it is made for lighter target loads, compared to a tactical shotgun that is made for higher pressures of combat loads.

I really appreciate everyone's help.
The sales rep in question would be wrong. The Benelli's use an inertia driven system rather than a gas system, which is what the Versamax appears to use from the internet research. The Stoeger is the brand that uses the Benelli system, and as far as I'm aware, the only other one on the market?

As to the weight/length question, it looks like the new models anyway are aluminum, which should make them pretty light, and a 22" barrel is pretty short for a shotgun- as it's designed for 3 gun, I'd speculate it's a pretty light and easy handling shotgun with manageable recoil- or else competitors would look elsewhere. But again, speculation as I haven't used one personally.
It's patterned after the Benelli M4 which is a gas gun. I wouldn't worry about 'heavier' loads - I've seen them shoot high velocity slugs as well as heavier bird shot loads at 1350 FPS. I guess the only down side of gas shotguns is possibly fouling of rings but I have not heard thats a problem with the Versamax. That's a really great price for that gun, just make sure it's mostly factory and hasn't been extensively worked on by someone you don't know.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 9:05 pm
by RobertS
shinzen wrote: The sales rep in question would be wrong. The Benelli's use an inertia driven system rather than a gas system, which is what the Versamax appears to use from the internet research. The Stoeger is the brand that uses the Benelli system, and as far as I'm aware, the only other one on the market?
The story behind that is Benelli caught Stoeger copying it's bolt action system and instead of sending a cease and desist, bought them out and made them Benelli's econo line of shotguns.

I have a Stoeger M3K and I like it so far. I keep it loaded with 00 buck at home, but take it to the clay range when I can.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 10:36 am
by dougb
"I want it" and "I can afford it" are satisfactory reasons to get it. I prefer wood, but I am not buying it.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 10:49 am
by shinzen
spara wrote:
The sales rep in question would be wrong. The Benelli's use an inertia driven system rather than a gas system, which is what the Versamax appears to use from the internet research. The Stoeger is the brand that uses the Benelli system, and as far as I'm aware, the only other one on the market?
It's patterned after the Benelli M4 which is a gas gun. I wouldn't worry about 'heavier' loads - I've seen them shoot high velocity slugs as well as heavier bird shot loads at 1350 FPS. I guess the only down side of gas shotguns is possibly fouling of rings but I have not heard thats a problem with the Versamax. That's a really great price for that gun, just make sure it's mostly factory and hasn't been extensively worked on by someone you don't know.[/quote]

:oops: Whoops. Didn't realize that, my bad.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 3:26 pm
by Elmo
Hiker wrote:A sales rep said the Versamax was a clone of the Bennelli shotgun. And I know they are good guns.

Some of my questions include how heavy the fully loaded gun is for someone who isn't a spring chicken anymore. Another might be the clumsiness of a 44 inch long firearm. I also wonder about how much is it a 'racing' gun, which might mean that it is made for lighter target loads, compared to a tactical shotgun that is made for higher pressures of combat loads.

I really appreciate everyone's help.
Those are all good questions.

I know a couple of top local 3-gun competitors that use these, so I consider it a very legit option for competition.

And 3-gun competition usually includes some slug and buckshot stages, so I expect it would cycle those just fine, in addition to birdshot.

For defensive use though, I would probably use a somewhat shorter mag tube, easily obtained from Nordic Comp or elsewhere. A fully loaded 12-round tube (or whatever that is in the pic) would be front-heavy and awkward to maneuver in doorways, etc.

Re: VERSA MAX COMPETITION TACTICAL shotgun-yea or nay?

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 8:58 pm
by RobertS
This is my $0.02 on it.

I have a Stoeger M3K. I have it loaded, but it would be the last gun I would use in a defensive situation. It's just too freaking long. It's 48" full length. You want a shorter, more wieldable-in-tight-spaces shotgun. I would go with a Remington 870 or Mossy 500, short barrel, short stock.