I am looking at buying another turkey gun and give my son my Winchester 1300. I was looking at the 835 Mossberg because I read it throws great patterns. I also read it kicks like a mule and it is very loud because it has a ported barrel. Is this true? Also, I plan on shooting 3" shells out of it. Does this gun kick harder than other pump shot guns? If so why? My 1300 is 6.75 pounds and the 835 is 7.25 pounds.
Thank you for your responses
The ported barrel probably depends on the gun you buy. My 20" 835 isn't ported. My 28" waterfowl barrel is ported however. Yes it kicks! I think any lightweight short barrel pump will kick ya though. It's nice to shoot 3" with the option to try a 3.5" load. I don't notice the bang or the kick when I see a longbeard flopping in front of me :) you're right about it putting up good numbers and nice patterns. The overbored 835 seems to like a choke around .675 range.
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I have been considering the same thing. Not that i really need another turkey gun but I have always wanted to try an 835. The one thing that has kept me from buying one is the loose rattling forearm. Have they addressed the issue in the new models?
Ridge Rooster
If you shoot 3" magnums you will not be bothered by the recoil. I swapped out my factory rubber recoil pad with a Limbsaver recoil pad. It is a pleasure to shoot 3.5" magnums now. I sold my Winchester 1300 to a friend and now exclusively use my 835. The ported barrel is a nice thing to have.
Never thought my 835 was any louder than any other shotgun. I shoot 3.5" Hevi-Shot 2.25 oz #6s and the recoil is not that bad. I never did understand why the 835 got the mule kicking reputation.
835 is a great gun. You can also try the thumb hole stock because they will help with recoil too.
I did notice the other day was my buddies 835 does not rattle anywhere near mine. I am guessing his was a 90 ' s model or early 2000. The stock on his feels solid. Mine was made in 2010 and really feels like it is a toy. I am interested to see the newer ones especially if the rattle is fixed.
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my opinion cant beat the 835 for the price
The 835 got the mule kicking reputation because it was the very first shotgun(1987) to shoot the heavier and longer 3.5" shells. The 835 kicks no harder than any other pump shotgun of the exact same weight. Any pump shotgun shooting 3.5" or even 3" turkey loads of 2.25oz or 2oz loads is going to kick you period. There is no getting around it. They have a lot heavier payload than any deer rifle cartridge. Shooting one 3.5" 2.25oz load is like shooting in all reality 3 and hair more of the 30-06 shells at one time just to put that in perspective.
I have completed most of my range work with the new 835 with the Matthews Harmonic Dampner Recoil Reduction System. If all goes well today, I will publish my "Product Test" article this afternoon.
Mine is the black "Waterfowl" model with a 28" ported barrel and has the LPA trigger.
As soon as I have that completed, I'll post some results and a link.
Thanks,
Clark
The 835 doesn't kicks worse than other 3.5" guns . I have 2 along with other turkey guns and I definitely recommend one.
If you are a Winchester guy...look at the SXP
I really like my American Made 1300 with my Indian Creek 660 choke. It throws excellent patterns with the 3" hevy13 #6 at 40 yards! When I patterned it this year, I had 215 pellets in a 10" circle on big paper.
I would purchase the SXP, but it is made in Turkey and I want to buy an American Made Shot Gun. I purchased my 1300 a month after Winchester shut down their plant in New Haven, and I am still upset that 1300/ SXP and the Model 94 are not made in America. I know the Turkish made gun are very nice, but I hate to see lost American jobs.
Another gun I am looking at is the 870 Sure Shot or the 870 Sure Shot SPS Turkey guns. I beiieve I will purchase 870 or the Mossberg 835. Any opions on these two guns?
Thanks You for all your responses.
Don
I have an old Viking grade 835 and I put a 24 inch ported barrel on it for turkeys. I'm not sure I would say it's louder, but it definitely sounds different. I think my 870 with an IC choke may actually be louder.
Recoil, I really don't think its that bad. I shot 3 inch win XXs for years and never had an issue. I switched to the 3.5s and there is more recoil, but still manageable. The pattern difference for me was worth it.
My 870 is a newer express with a 26 inch barrel with an IC choke and is has every bit as much recoil with 3 inch Hevi 6s as my 835 did with 3 inch shells.
Thanks for your reponses. Recoil does not bother when I am shooting at a bird and I pattern my gun off a Lead Sled. I take one practice shot from my tree seat before the season opener and I am good to go.
Thanks for clearing up the myth that the 835 is the hardest kicking pump gun or the loudest because the barrel is ported and the sound was ear bleeding in a blind. Now I will see if I like the 835 or the 870 Turkey Gun. I plan on putting a Burris red/green dot scope on it
What are your thoughts... 870 or 835?
Thanks Don
Let me know what you decide. I'm down to those 2 guns myself. I posted a thread a week or two ago asking about both guns. If you scroll down the page a little bit you should find it. Lots of good info in there. After reading the responses I'm leaning toward the 870 but still not dead set yet.
I have both the 1300, and the 835 and I prefer the 1300 any day of the week. Not saying the 835 is not a good choice I just like the 1300 all around.
Between an 835 and an 870 here is my choice! 870!
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I have an old Gen 1 Mossberg 835 with the "corn cob" forehand, and recently added a SumToy choke and have been shooting Hevi-Shot 3.5 " shells out of it, and it is Gobbler Killin Machine. Although it kicks like a mule and is a bit old, I have taken several birds over 50+ yards with that gun, so I still can't get rid of it yet.
Life's too short not to buy both.
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Mossberg 835 here
Quote from: alclark2 on May 11, 2014, 12:00:53 AM
Life's too short not to buy both.
I agree.
I'll add that with the 835s they tend to punch most shooters in the face when shooting 3.5" shells. All you'll need to do is add a neoprene pad to that area of the stock and the facial abuse will be reduced.
:morning:
According to Clark, Mossberg has addressed their rattle issue and I say AMEN!!! It drove me a little nuts in the field and I'm real happy they finally made the improvement! After reading Clark's review, I'm gonna buy another one as they are one of the best turkey killers out there for the $, IMHO...
835, no question about it. 870 is a great gun and plenty of turkeys have feel to them, but to me the 835/935 is what comes to mind when someone says turkey gun. What it comes down to is what feels best for you.
That big 835 bore sure can make lemonade out of lemons.
Quote from: stinkpickle on May 16, 2014, 10:43:21 AM
That big 835 bore sure can make lemonade out of lemons.
Amen! They have a reputation of patterning a variety of loads extremely well out of a variety of chokes. You don't find too many guys shooting an 835 having to spend alot of time at the range figuring out which load/choke combo to shoot. Some even have luck with the factory choke that comes with a 835 turkey model. I know mine will NEVER be sold or my Mossberg 500 for that matter. Mossbergs may be inexpensive but inexpensive doesn't necessarily mean cheap. My :z-twocents:!
I agree and like the fact that Mossberg pioneered the 3.5" load for 12 gauge guns. The 835 barrels patterns are amazing. Now they are putting the harmonic dampeners and better recoil pads. Got to love a company that listens to the hunters and offer something other than the same old gun.
Quote from: RAY on May 16, 2014, 11:11:01 PM
I agree and like the fact that Mossberg pioneered the 3.5" load for 12 gauge guns. The 835 barrels patterns are amazing. Now they are putting the harmonic dampeners and better recoil pads. Got to love a company that listens to the hunters and offer something other than the same old gun.
Amen,been shooting them for 40+ years and plan to keep using them.