Shotgun Review: OL Ranks the Best New Shotguns for 2012
The smoke has cleared, the numbers have been crunched, and the results are in. See which shotguns took home top honors.
Great Buy Award: Akkar 600 Superior Semi-Auto It didn’t take long for this little 28-gauge from the Turkish firm Akkar to charm the entire test team. It’s as nimble and handy a bird gun as you could want and comes at such a great price ($523), we couldn’t help but anoint it this year’s Great Buy in the shotgun category. A 28-gauge doesn’t have much recoil to begin with, but when you shoot it through a gas-operated semi, what little it does have disappears completely. When a 28 also balances nicely between the hands and has enough heft to swing well, what you end up with is something like the Akkar 600. The lines and finish on the gun aren’t fancy, but you can tell it was designed by someone who knows how to make a simple and stylish shotgun that will appeal to bird hunters. The metal is done in a satin finish, and the rib is tipped by a simple brass bead. See video for the Akkar 600 Superior Semi-Auto. AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
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Comments (4)
I was interested in the Akkar 600 and even found it on Budsgunshop.com for $380 no tax+free shipping. Then I start trying to find other reviews. I found NOTHING... I looked at Akkars sight and it was sketchy. Doesn't even give you half the normal specs I am used to wanting to see(weight? ,total length? ,length of pull? parts diagram to help understand function?). Also short warranty and probably not worth trying to use. All that said it could be a great gun but I couldn't take the chance.
Yep, I would have to say, I'd rather have a gun chambered for 3.5s, and not use 'em, than have a gun with a 3 inch chamber and not be able to shoot 3.5s if I needed to for some reason.
Also, congrats to OL for finally including some lower-priced shotguns in their test, you actually have some I would call affordable!
Erik- You are correct, a 3 1/2 inch shell makes a big difference when waterfowling or turkey hunting, however, a 2 3/4 inch is all you need when hunting upland game. The only thing the extra 3/4 inch of reciever does then is make you tired. The author was referring to the fact that it is often hard to find a non-magnum gun nowadays.
I would love to come learn how to hunt waterfowl with you in Missouri, and you are welcome to come try out the Idaho mountains for Chukar with me!
Brian
I am truly getting tired of the "experts" dissing the 3 1/2" chamber. You are flat out wrong when it comes to the performance aspect. And admitting you're a wimp when it comes to recoil would be totally embrassing and quickly dis-credit your credentials! Please come with me on a frosty December day on the northern Missouri River waterfowling and show me how a 3" is the same as a 3 1/2" Shell. And I'm talking steel shot, not the expensive $30+ box stuff.
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Yep, I would have to say, I'd rather have a gun chambered for 3.5s, and not use 'em, than have a gun with a 3 inch chamber and not be able to shoot 3.5s if I needed to for some reason.
Also, congrats to OL for finally including some lower-priced shotguns in their test, you actually have some I would call affordable!
Erik- You are correct, a 3 1/2 inch shell makes a big difference when waterfowling or turkey hunting, however, a 2 3/4 inch is all you need when hunting upland game. The only thing the extra 3/4 inch of reciever does then is make you tired. The author was referring to the fact that it is often hard to find a non-magnum gun nowadays.
I would love to come learn how to hunt waterfowl with you in Missouri, and you are welcome to come try out the Idaho mountains for Chukar with me!
Brian
I am truly getting tired of the "experts" dissing the 3 1/2" chamber. You are flat out wrong when it comes to the performance aspect. And admitting you're a wimp when it comes to recoil would be totally embrassing and quickly dis-credit your credentials! Please come with me on a frosty December day on the northern Missouri River waterfowling and show me how a 3" is the same as a 3 1/2" Shell. And I'm talking steel shot, not the expensive $30+ box stuff.
I was interested in the Akkar 600 and even found it on Budsgunshop.com for $380 no tax+free shipping. Then I start trying to find other reviews. I found NOTHING... I looked at Akkars sight and it was sketchy. Doesn't even give you half the normal specs I am used to wanting to see(weight? ,total length? ,length of pull? parts diagram to help understand function?). Also short warranty and probably not worth trying to use. All that said it could be a great gun but I couldn't take the chance.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)