Modifying my 835 into my perfect turkey gun.

[davisd9]

I am the type of person that tries to only make changes to my turkey gun if I can see a functional reason for it.  I try not to do it just because I like it because many times that adds things we do not need and they get in the way of our hunting.  I am not a good enough hunter to take those types of chances.  My 835 started off as your standard camo 835.  I bought it from walmart in the summer of 2011 and its pattern was MO break up w/ a 24" barrel.  It came with the standard UltiMag X-Full choke.



First things I did to the gun was add a Star Dot Choke to shoot the Hevi 3.5" 6s from and added a Simmons Pro-Diamond 4 x 32 mm scope using a DNZ scope mounting unit..  I added the scope because I have a terrible habit of getting excited and lifting my head up off the stock when I shoot.  The scope forces me to keep my head down and I have become much more successful (the two years I have used this gun I have harvested 7 longbeards).

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I decided to add a limbsaver to the gun and to camo the scope.  I used the MO graphics to put the camo on the scope.   I added the camo to the scope so it could blend in better, I know black is fine but I have to give myself every advantage possible, and the limbsaver to make her a bit smoother to pattern.





My next modification was after I hunted with the gun in 2012.  With the scope on the gun I had a bit of trouble putting the safety back on.  I did not feel comfortable with this so I researched an after market safety and decided upon a tactical safety.  I have to say putting the gun on safety and taking it back off safety is much easier.  This would be the best modification overall in my opinion.



I thought I was done and there was nothing else I could add to the gun for functionality.  Well midway through the 2013 season I was working a strutting bird in a field and he was about to walk down my gun barrel, 3 steps from down it at 40 yards or so.  At this point the bird stops and goes into the standing alert position.  I sit there holding the gun for 5 minutes and when he decides to take those 3 -4 steps and stop I pull the trigger and clean miss, knew it as soon as the gun fired I missed.  I had recently added a pistol grip to my dad's 11-87 so that he could grip it better with his arthritis.  I played with his and decided that I wanted to add one to my gun so that I could hold it up for a longer period of time without starting to wobble.



As with the scope, I need all the advantage I can get so I decided to dip the butt stock to match the gun.  It is a little brighter but I am very happy with it and now I think my 835 is complete to make My Perfect Turkey Gun!

[allaboutshooting]

There is just nothing like modifying a gun to meet your exact needs and desires. You've done that and it looks great as well. Congratulations.

Thanks,
Clark

[outdoors]

GOOD STORY AND SOME NICE MODS      

[grayfox]

The gun looks great & thanks for sharing your story with us.  I always enjoy reading about what others are doing to they're guns to improve them for their own personal liking.

[Uvagobbler]

Awesome job on your modification! I changed out the old hard recoil pad on my 11-87 and replaced it with a limbsaver pad. It was money well spent. I also used the mossy oak graphics on my game camera security box and it turned out great.
                                                 Good luck,  Mike.

[davisd9]

Thanks guys!  Cannot wait to get her back in the woods!

[chatterbox]

Awsome job! It came out great!

[beagler]

Very Nice!

[trkehunr93]

Lookin' good Donald! 

[RAY]

Very cool.  I have the same gun and removed that hunk of rubber they call a recoil pad too.  I went out and got a LimbSaver and haven't looked back. That scope is a great idea.  I like the camo job you did too it.

[surehuntsalot]

good looking turkey gun.....good luck with it

[ScottyPotty]

Looks good!  I was thinking of trying to get a stock like that on my 835.  Can you still get a good cheek weld with that stock? 

[alclark2]

I like my scope also. I need the new stock on my 835. Lookin good buddy

[davisd9]

Looks good!  I was thinking of trying to get a stock like that on my 835.  Can you still get a good cheek weld with that stock?

Ordered stock from ATI and they offer a check riser extra for 10 bucks. Did not know if I would need it so I held off. For my scope I do not need a riser. I can firmly place my cheek on the stock and see through the scope with no issue.

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[davisd9]

I like my scope also. I need the new stock on my 835. Lookin good buddy

http://www.atigunstocks.com/144-mossberg-12-gauge

Mine is the traditional. Just bought the butt stock, did not need forearm. Very simple to install. Only issue I have with stock is once it is on you cannot pull trigger out without loosening. Not a big issue as I only clean that area, unless it gets wet, once a year and that is after the season.

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