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I'm in the market for a bottom feeder so that I can demonstrate loading techniques to club members new to PSG. It won't be a competition gun (love my Bora too much ) and I don't want to spend lots of money.

I'm after a pump but being vertically challenged I've found that I need the long forend found on the Supernova, Hatsan or Winchester SXP. (Any others?).

I know some people have expressed strong views against Hatsans for PSG in the past but was that only for the loading gates on the Semi-autos? I understand the pumps are not the same. I have a problem with long stocks and the Hatsan is the only one that I can find with a 24" barrel and available aftermarket short stock. A Supernova isn't out of the question but it would cost a lot more and is next to impossible to shorten the LOP.

Are Hatsans really that bad?

Any other options?

Rob

I think the Hatsan brand was ruined in PSG circles by the shocking original semi-auto and compounded by the 'speed-feed' update. Because of that, IMO, the pump hasn't seen the light of day, which is possibly a shame as the function of the semi-auto is pretty good, if the pump doesn't have the stupid loading button/double tongue lifter, then there's no reason it wouldn't be a viable gun. I'd be interested to see/handle one to see just how it works, as it seems crazy that they'd have a normal lifter system in the pump, but something overly complicated in the semi.

Mossberg 500/590's are fine guns and can be picked up fairly cheaply. The downside is that they're pigs for dual or quad loading which is an obvious disadvantage.

Thanks Mark

As far as I can see the pump has a normal lifter but I've yet to have play with one.
I've seen one Hatsan pump that's had it's port opened up for quad loading although that one looked a bit extreme to me.

You also can't change the mag tube on the Mossbergs and the forend is a long reach for me. I am comfortable with the long forends that come all the way back over the receiver when racking.

On seeing the title I thought you wanted some Barbel fishing tips!

Or our esteemed Parliamentary Overlords...

Didn't Browning do a bottom-feed pump shotgun in the 80s? Failing that you could always look for an old Ithaca Model 37.

Sounds like a S/H Nova or Supernova would be the way to go then

Blackstuff wrote:Sounds like a S/H Nova or Supernova would be the way to go then

That's the sensible choice but all reports say they are long in the stock. A slightly thinner butt pad is available for the bargain price of £95.

Several reviewers ofthe SPX have 'complained' that the stock is very short so could be worth a look. Minimum barrel length is 26" but I don't think that's a big deal.

I've just found out that the Remington 887 comes with a long forend. I don't know anything about them.

You can get them in 24" barrelled versions but the 26" seems the most common, i'm pretty sure the one I used to have was. As for the stock/LoP i'm 5'9 and average build and had no issues with it, and I prefer a shorter LoP than most. I personally found the forend too chunky though

Stoeger P350, I've seen them go for less than 200 notes 2nd hand, has the same style lifter as most semi-auto shotgun.