Screw in chokes on defense shotguns...why???

mathman · December 24, 2009, 02:22 AM

Benelli has screw in chokes on some of their semi automatic defense shotguns...why? I just don't see the point in it. If you are buying an 18" barrel shotgun with rifle sights for shooting slugs and buckshot, what is the purpose of changing the chokes? It seems to me that a fixed cylinder bore would be best for these guns...am I missing something?

To me, simpler is better. A fixed cylinder bore is better since it is easier to clean and there is no choke to come loose when shooting slugs.

Please let me know how you feel on this one.

zippy13 · December 24, 2009, 02:35 AM

It may be a marketing ploy. For law enforcement shotguns, there's often a minimal constriction, where HD guns are usually cylinder. For close-in shooting, I don't see the difference; but, there may be some folks who want a selection. For them, having the screw-ins may be the deciding factor between the Benelli and another gun.

noyes · December 24, 2009, 04:34 AM

20" Mossburg 590 barrel with Accu Choke . Tuneable use for shooting clays, hunting , home defence. Keeps the buck shot pattern tight in case you have to shoot something at a father distance.

earlthegoat2 · December 24, 2009, 08:00 AM

Since as a general rule, screw in chokes are highly overrated, I can see where having them could be beneficial to the seller or manufacturer.

hogdogs · December 24, 2009, 09:29 AM

Defense situation of one person may be bedroom distance while another may define that as 100 yard walks in the dark to an Alaskan outhouse with hungry grizzly "bars" lookin' for an easy pajama covered meal.

For that I would want MOD choke to help my slug find a sternum to punch or to keep my buck shot pattern a couple pellets strikes tighter...

I see the possible needs of threaded 18 inch barrels...
Brent

jmr40 · December 24, 2009, 10:24 AM

It makes for a much more versatile gun, and is much cheaper than extra barrels. I have a 20" rifle sighted barrel for my 870 with interchangeable tubes. With a skeet tube I get maximum spread for HD situations. With a modified tube it is a passable bird hunting gun or will keep buckshot in a much tighter pattern at long ranges. With an extra full tube it is my turkey hunting gun. A rifled tube turns it into a 100+ yard slug gun.

noyes · December 24, 2009, 11:10 AM

The Box O' Truth #44 - Shotgun Chokes and Buckshot
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot44.htm

The Box O' Truth #45 - Shotgun Chokes and Buckshot Part Two
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot45.htm

#91 - Let's Talk About Buckshot
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu91.htm

#46 - Shotgun Slugs, Sabots, and Smooth Bore Barrels
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot46.htm

mathman · December 24, 2009, 06:36 PM

Although I appreciate the replies, I disagree. A shotgun with rifle sights by its very nature is a specialized gun for shooting slugs and maybe buckshot. And if you're shooting a distances greater than 25 yards, perhaps a rifle would be better anyway...or at least slugs.

I just don't see the need for the different chokes...I'm just disappointed that they don't at least make it an option to not have the chokes...cuz I don't need 'em.

hogdogs · December 24, 2009, 06:39 PM

Many are available in cylinder bore with out threads for chokes...
Brent

mathman · December 24, 2009, 06:44 PM

Yes, you are right...but the Benelli m2 is not...and I love Benelli shotguns.

troy_mclure · December 24, 2009, 06:56 PM

easy, they thread all their barrels, then add stuff like sights. much easier for manufacturer.

mathman · December 24, 2009, 08:04 PM

But they don't thread all their barrels...the 18" pump models come with fixed cylinder bores...go figure.

December 24, 2009, 02:22 AM	#1
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	Screw in chokes on defense shotguns...why??? Benelli has screw in chokes on some of their semi automatic defense shotguns...why? I just don't see the point in it. If you are buying an 18" barrel shotgun with rifle sights for shooting slugs and buckshot, what is the purpose of changing the chokes? It seems to me that a fixed cylinder bore would be best for these guns...am I missing something? To me, simpler is better. A fixed cylinder bore is better since it is easier to clean and there is no choke to come loose when shooting slugs. Please let me know how you feel on this one. __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.

December 24, 2009, 04:34 AM	#3
noyes Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 1,032	20" Mossburg 590 barrel with Accu Choke . Tuneable use for shooting clays, hunting , home defence. Keeps the buck shot pattern tight in case you have to shoot something at a father distance. Last edited by noyes; December 24, 2009 at 05:26 AM.

December 24, 2009, 06:36 PM	#8
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	Although I appreciate the replies, I disagree. A shotgun with rifle sights by its very nature is a specialized gun for shooting slugs and maybe buckshot. And if you're shooting a distances greater than 25 yards, perhaps a rifle would be better anyway...or at least slugs. I just don't see the need for the different chokes...I'm just disappointed that they don't at least make it an option to not have the chokes...cuz I don't need 'em. __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.

December 24, 2009, 06:44 PM	#10
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	Yes, you are right...but the Benelli m2 is not...and I love Benelli shotguns. __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.

December 24, 2009, 06:56 PM	#11
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	easy, they thread all their barrels, then add stuff like sights. much easier for manufacturer. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

December 24, 2009, 02:35 AM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	It may be a marketing ploy. For law enforcement shotguns, there's often a minimal constriction, where HD guns are usually cylinder. For close-in shooting, I don't see the difference; but, there may be some folks who want a selection. For them, having the screw-ins may be the deciding factor between the Benelli and another gun.

December 24, 2009, 08:00 AM	#4
earlthegoat2 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Lowcountry Posts: 373	Since as a general rule, screw in chokes are highly overrated, I can see where having them could be beneficial to the seller or manufacturer. __________________ I say take off the warning labels and let them sort themselves out.

December 24, 2009, 09:29 AM	#5
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Defense situation of one person may be bedroom distance while another may define that as 100 yard walks in the dark to an Alaskan outhouse with hungry grizzly "bars" lookin' for an easy pajama covered meal. For that I would want MOD choke to help my slug find a sternum to punch or to keep my buck shot pattern a couple pellets strikes tighter... I see the possible needs of threaded 18 inch barrels... Brent

December 24, 2009, 10:24 AM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	It makes for a much more versatile gun, and is much cheaper than extra barrels. I have a 20" rifle sighted barrel for my 870 with interchangeable tubes. With a skeet tube I get maximum spread for HD situations. With a modified tube it is a passable bird hunting gun or will keep buckshot in a much tighter pattern at long ranges. With an extra full tube it is my turkey hunting gun. A rifled tube turns it into a 100+ yard slug gun.

December 24, 2009, 11:10 AM	#7
noyes Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 1,032	The Box O' Truth #44 - Shotgun Chokes and Buckshot http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot44.htm The Box O' Truth #45 - Shotgun Chokes and Buckshot Part Two http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot45.htm #91 - Let's Talk About Buckshot http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu91.htm #46 - Shotgun Slugs, Sabots, and Smooth Bore Barrels http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot46.htm

December 24, 2009, 06:39 PM	#9
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Many are available in cylinder bore with out threads for chokes... Brent

December 24, 2009, 08:04 PM	#12
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	But they don't thread all their barrels...the 18" pump models come with fixed cylinder bores...go figure. __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.