FN SLP Tactical or Remington Versamax Competition?

jimbobborg · Feb 2, 2015

My New Years Resolution this year is more shooting competitions. My current autoloader shotgun is not working out so it's being relegated to hunting duties. So I'm looking at the FN and the Remington. Any non-monetary reason for one or the other? I'm picking one of these up in March, so I have some time to decide. Thanks.

501st · Feb 2, 2015

Paige · Feb 2, 2015

Brennan and I shoot Versamax's. Brennan bought the 26" field models and added extended tubes and bolt releases. They shoot super soft.

If it had been available when we bought our shotguns, we'd probably have bought A5's because of the autoload feature.

pbharvey · Feb 2, 2015

Tombstone tactical has some good prices on a few FNs.

CrawfishStu · Feb 2, 2015

I have no complaints about my FN. Plenty of people out there shooting them. They don't seem to like having a bunch of stuff strapped to them like shell caddys etc.

photoracer · Feb 3, 2015

CrawfishStu said:
I have no complaints about my FN. Plenty of people out there shooting them. They don't seem to like having a bunch of stuff strapped to them like shell caddys etc.

Don't put shell caddies on a current 3-gun shotgun. I suggest at the most, if your shotgun requires a round be in the chamber to start feeding the mag you get one of those soft velcro mount 2 round holders you can put right near the ejection port so you can chamber a round before you actually grab you reloads. If your shotgun auto loads the first round (I think only Brownings do that but I could be wrong) then you don't need to do that either. If your hands are big enough learn Load4, if not then Load2. Belt caddies if you can't do either of those. And practice the heck out of whatever reload scheme you settle on until you can do it without thinking. Although I have ran matches with shotguns having barrels longer than 24" I don't like them as they don't move as quick as a shorter one (which is weird when you consider I often shoot a 13 rd mag tube on mine which is longer than a 26" barrel).

jimbobborg · Feb 3, 2015

Paige said:
Brennan and I shoot Versamax's. Brennan bought the 26" field models and added extended tubes and bolt releases. They shoot super soft.

If it had been available when we bought our shotguns, we'd probably have bought A5's because of the autoload feature.

Paige! Good to hear from you. Did the field models have dimples in the tube that needed modding?

pbharvey said:
Tombstone tactical has some good prices on a few FNs.

Thanks, I checked their prices. It would cost the same to have them transferred as what Virginia Arms has them for on the floor.

CrawfishStu said:
I have no complaints about my FN. Plenty of people out there shooting them. They don't seem to like having a bunch of stuff strapped to them like shell caddys etc.

photoracer said:
Don't put shell caddies on a current 3-gun shotgun. I suggest at the most, if your shotgun requires a round be in the chamber to start feeding the mag you get one of those soft velcro mount 2 round holders you can put right near the ejection port so you can chamber a round before you actually grab you reloads. If your shotgun auto loads the first round (I think only Brownings do that but I could be wrong) then you don't need to do that either. If your hands are big enough learn Load4, if not then Load2. Belt caddies if you can't do either of those. And practice the heck out of whatever reload scheme you settle on until you can do it without thinking. Although I have ran matches with shotguns having barrels longer than 24" I don't like them as they don't move as quick as a shorter one (which is weird when you consider I often shoot a 13 rd mag tube on mine which is longer than a 26" barrel).

So the receiver mounted shell holder is a no-go? Good to know. I still have the 8-shell double-stack caddies on my battle belt, so I would just need the 2-round holder. I load off-hand feed with 4, have not mastered the 2-shell at a time insert.

Looks like the FN has more fans here, anyone else?

BenL · Feb 3, 2015

I've been shooting an FN SLP for 3Gun for a few years, now (got one when they first came out.) It's a soft shooter and reliable, so long as you maintain it. Over the years, I've made a few changes to it.

I added a Sure Cycle system and "skeet" gas piston so I could reliably shoot 7/8 loads. I also added an oversized bolt release (Nordic Components), bolt handle (also Nordic Components), and +2 extension. While most matches limit you to 8+1 to start, 3GN rules allow you to load at the buzzer. Sometimes, this option comes in handy.

ETA: I also ground into the mag tube a little for more positive shell loading.

Overall, I'm really happy with the FN and would buy it again. Very fast and soft shooter.

As for reloading, I still load 4 weak hand. I know all of the cool kids have switched to 2 up (or 4 up) strong hand; I've tried it and don't think it's that much faster, if at all (might be better under stress and definitely doesn't require as much practice or dexterity to do well.)

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smdub · Feb 3, 2015

I have a VM Competition if you want to try it out somewhere though Im not too close to you.

Haven't run a match yet but I've been practicing the load-2/4 but need shell holders. Im 6'2" and have decent sized hands. What are the best ones/style for a load 4 method?

jimbobborg · Feb 3, 2015

smdub said:
I have a VM Competition if you want to try it out somewhere though Im not too close to you.

Thanks. I shot a VM at Sharpshooters a while back, I have not shot the FN yet.

smdub said:
Haven't run a match yet but I've been practicing the load-2/4 but need shell holders. Im 6'2" and have decent sized hands. What are the best ones/style for a load 4 method?

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?p=3373214

Blaster229 · Feb 3, 2015

How do you guys feel about pistol gripped shotguns in competition? Pros or cons?

BenL · Feb 3, 2015

Blaster229 said:
How do you guys feel about pistol gripped shotguns in competition? Pros or cons?

I used one on an 870 before I got the FN. I like the pistol grip; better control of the gun, especially with a pump. On the FN, I don't really miss it, but wouldn't mind having one on it.

davsco · Feb 3, 2015

Blaster229 said:
How do you guys feel about pistol gripped shotguns in competition? Pros or cons?

I've been told that the pistol grip may get in the way of reloading depending on how your orient your shottie when doing reloads. I have seen few if any used at local matches or the fnh 3 gun.

jbollman · Feb 3, 2015

I love my FN.
I agree the pistol grip gets in the way more than it helps.

photoracer · Feb 4, 2015

Nice video although I like watching Daniel Horner do it better. Daniel like most of the top shooters has switched to load4. While I stayed with caddies for awhile it took me several months to finally get proficient in Load2 to where it was faster than my caddy load. I still carry a couple of caddies for slugs and other uses. I have a couple of Load4 racks but my hand is just not large enough to get comfortable holding that many.

Broncolou · Feb 8, 2015

The A5 is worth a look for the autoload feature alone on a comp gun..... I have no experience with the others. I love my A5.

BenL · Feb 8, 2015

photoracer said:
Nice video although I like watching Daniel Horner do it better. Daniel like most of the top shooters has switched to load4. While I stayed with caddies for awhile it took me several months to finally get proficient in Load2 to where it was faster than my caddy load. I still carry a couple of caddies for slugs and other uses. I have a couple of Load4 racks but my hand is just not large enough to get comfortable holding that many.

Do you feel it's that much faster? Down sides? Ever lose shells on the move?

FPL53 · Feb 8, 2015

I was looking at the FN for home defense. Do they ever run less than $1k?

jimbobborg · Feb 8, 2015

FPL53 said:
I was looking at the FN for home defense. Do they ever run less than $1k?

Not the fancy 3-gun versions, but I believe the sporty versions can be found for less. I don't use a shotgun for HD, I have too many rifles and handguns filling that spot

FPL53 · Feb 8, 2015

jimbobborg said:
Not the fancy 3-gun versions, but I believe the sporty versions can be found for less. I don't use a shotgun for HD, I have too many rifles and handguns filling that spot

No, it wouldn't be for 3 gun. I do have a few other niceties for defense, but, sometimes you just have to go with the spread of a shottie. I found a nice one with ghost sites plastered on it. Just trying to figure out if I can get it for less.

FN SLP Tactical or Remington Versamax Competition?

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