Seasonal optics swap (possible gun buy/swap)

[wvmntnhick]

This should probably be in the gun thread but it seems there's higher traffic here. If the mods need to move it, I totally understand. Now here's the deal. I've got my Mossberg 835 that's a dedicated turkey gun. No changes are made to it throughout the year. For some reason I've been drawn to the Stoeger m3500 guns for a while and had a decent offer on one the other day. Unfortunately, as I've taken the time to consider all aspects of the game, as much as I'd like to have it, it's going to sit and collect dust and I'm done with that stuff. However, here's my dilemma. I've got a 20ga that I didn't carry this year as I'd hoped to kill one with the 12 first then transition to the skinny tube. During turkey season it wears a red dot or scope depending on what I'm feeling at beginning of season. It's a squirrel gun in the off season. I hate to keep putting optics on then taking them off. Is it worthwhile to get a second 20ga to use as a field gun and keep this one as a turkey only gun or just keep swapping out the optics? The gun I'd been kind of leaning towards was a Stoeger m3020 or simply another Remington 1187. I'm tired of doing it because I hate wasting the ammo every spring but its certainly cheaper than buying another gun. Think I've made up my mind to stick with what I've already got and save the cash for other things but want some public opinion. Thanks in advance.

[Greg Massey]

I would buy another gun, i have 4 turkey guns 3 - 12 gauge and one 20 gauge with both scopes and red dot's. I have other shotguns both automatic's and pumps. I feel buying guns is a investment, i don't look at it as having to many gun's. I feel in the last several years a gun will bring you more money in the further. Money sure hasn't been bring you anything at the bank that's for sure. I always try every year around January and before turkey season to purchase a couple of guns a year for investment. In the past years i've also inherent guns from my dad , brother and my wife father who have pass away. SO go buy you another gun and look at it as a investment, it's like we can never have enough turkey calls...lol  ... Buy the gun you want..life is to short...

[redjones]

While I only have one dedicated turkey gun myself,unless there's a situation where the money is going to cause problems down the road,why not buy what you want.
I am sure in your mind you have already decided what your going to do,enjoy your new gun.


        Greg

[VaTuRkStOmPeR]

I don't own a single utility gun.

I have 3 turkey shotguns.  One is drilled and tapped wearing a scope, one is drilled and tapped with a Burris FF3 and the other has Williams Firesights loctited on.

Additionally, I have1 waterfowl shotgun and 1 cantilever slug shotgun for deer.

I prefer my guns to have specific purposes and to be optimized for particular applications.

[TRG3]

While I've got a 12 gauge and 20 gauge Remington 870 set up for deer and/or turkeys, I've got "several" rimfires for tree squirrels. This is a reflection of how the game I hunt dictates what I accumulate regarding that season. So...you may be to the point where buying another shotgun will give you more satisfaction than the frustration of continuing to make the changes you noted from season to season. Fortunately, I've got a very understanding wife who sees my hunting "stuff" as an investment and I don't have to justify purchases.

[Farmboy27]

You can buy a lot of ammo to resight the gun for what you'll pay for a new gun!  But if you have the itch for a new gun and have the means, then go for it!  I sure as heck don't need 3 deer rifles to hunt 5-6 days of rifle season! But I have them anyway. I could hunt rabbits and grouse with any of my 12 gauges, but I have a 20 gauge anyway. I could kill coyotes with my 870, but I have a nova. Very seldom have I regretted buying a gun. I respect anyone who uses one gun for everything. But I like having a few choices. I don't ever see myself owning multiple "dedicated turkey guns", but it isn't because I would like too! 

[wvmntnhick]

I don't know. Guess I'm on the fence. It's nice to just grab a gun knowing that it's "the one" and go. May just keep the 20 I've got now as a turkey rig and try to find a beater for small game. Hunting behind the dogs generally leads to a gun finding some serious character marks. Might have to look for a used Mossberg 500 in a 20ga or something. Or perhaps an older 870. Might just keep my eyes peeled for a used sx3. That'd be the ticket right there. Love those things. Of course, I may just leave well enough alone and stick with what I've got. Thanks for the input fellas. Much appreciated.

[hookedspur]

If you go the TSS route you will never carry the 835 again so you
Could sell or trade it for a new M2 and be set foe ear....

[wvmntnhick]

If you go the TSS route you will never carry the 835 again so you
Could sell or trade it for a new M2 and be set foe ear....

Lol. Somehow, I doubt the sale of that 835 will come even remotely close to covering the cost of the M2. Besides, for some reason, I like that heavy beast and the lovely Mossberg rattle the forearm makes. Just something about it I suppose.

[Greg Massey]

If you ever come to West Tenn and need a turkey gun you can use one of mine..

[WV Ridge Reaper]

I'm as firm believer in the more the better.All I need a shotgun for is turkeys.

With that said I own 3 shotguns that are nothing but turkey guns..Greenleaf 1187 and two M2s one 12ga the other 20ga everyone of them have the same sights.

My primary is my 20ga M2 the back up is the 12ga M2

Now in actual turkey season the only time I'd ever thing about going to the "back up" is if the the primary failed or had problems.

I'm a firm believer in use what your confident in...I can kill turkeys with all 3 of them shotguns listed but when I carry 1 and have killed x amount number with why break what's fixed ?

Why would you pull a turkey call out of your vest that you haven't ran for 3 weeks..id pick the one that has blood on it from 2 days ago first

 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wvmntnhick]

If you ever come to West Tenn and need a turkey gun you can use one of mine..

Well, much appreciated. Think I've got the firepower covered though. As for Tennessee, I doubt I'll ever go there for a hunting trip but should that happen, I'll look you up.