Opinions on Vang Comp Tactical Shotguns

[BC9696]

For designated indoor defense...whaddaya think of this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_kd5eEptO8

[100str8]

A great way to waste $1000 or more on a shotgun that doesn’t need it.

[GeorgeMG]

This should be an interesting thread. Fully expecting carnage. On topic, though, I really don't have much good or bad to say about vc. Beretta is making a honey of a semi auto for about the same price. The Mossberg 940 is damn good for a bit less than the Beretta. It's your money, but there are options for similar money to VC.

[L-2]

https://vangcomp.com/product-category/firearms/

I've never tried a VangComp modified barrel. Over the years, many folks who own them seem very happy with the performance.

Other folks find using Federal buckshot with Federal's "FliteControl" wad technology works just as well. I generally use Federal 00 buck w/FliteControl ammo.

While still others have complaints with VangComp's service as to communication and length of time to get shotguns modified. Buying a presently completed shotgun may be different as to how long it might take to buy and receive one. Maybe completed guns are in inventory and ready-to-ship immediately; I wouldn't know.

I did buy some shotgun "cards"/ammo carriers a couple years ago from VangComp and there was no wait and shipped immediately.

Whether VangComp's shotgun price is worth it or not is entirely up to any buyer.

Another thought is whether to buy an 870 or not at this time. Even though I own two 870 guns, mine are pre-Remarms, and I'd hesitate to buy an 870 due to me being uncomfortable with the current Remarms support. I don't trust that the current Remarms company will support (service/repairs/parts) any problems, should any ever occur. This may or may not be a valid fear, I admit. My two 870s have been very reliable and I hope to never need service/parts/repair.

I trust Mossberg more right now to support its guns, and I see VangComp does sell a VangComp-modified 590A1, which I'd rather choose at this time.

I do like the shotgun as a home defense type firearm, whether indoor or outdoor, btw.

https://wilsoncombat.com/in-stock-firearms/in-stock-shotguns.html

Also, take a look at Wilson-Combat's offerings and prices, to see if they have anything of interest. Another option is to research and estimate what parts might be wanted should a person want to personalize or modify a stock shotgun oneself to achieve what's wanted/needed. I realize some folks would rather buy a modified/customized shotgun ready-to-go rather than buying and installing parts oneself.

Maybe especially in California, shotguns are great, whereas the AR15-in-California, is not so great with CA's various restrictions. In other states, I might recommend an AR15 over the shotgun, but not within California.

[shovelon]

Waiting for a year or more to have the sights silver brazed to the barrel and re-blued would be a deal breaker for me. I like the forcing cone lengthening and back boring idea, but can do without the ports.

The barrel boring should only take a couple months, and there are a host of barrel smiths out there.

wilsoncombat.com looks like an interesting option.

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK I'll take the bait here. These shotguns are as good as it gets. Hans Vang was the Absolute Guru of Police Shotguns. The only thing I disagree with is the use of Rem 870 platform over the Mossberg 500/590 platform. And they can build one on either platform just as easily.

There are several good reasons why I say this. #1 The Ejection Port on a Mossberg 500 is significantly larger than the 870 and this facilitates Single or Port Loading of the gun when you run it dry. However Vang Comp will increase the size of your 870's Ejection Port to be similar to the Mossberg if you request it.

#2. The Bolt Release on the Mossberg is placed behind the trigger guard and is operated by the Middle Finger of your firing hand that doesn't have to move in order to actuate it like the 870's release which is at the front of the trigger guard.

#3 The Safety on the Mossberg is located on the Rear of the Receiver and is accessible with "Either Thumb" making the gun Ambidextrous.

These are all points of preference for me and if I had trained with an 870 I would have learned how to get around all these fine points. There is nothing wrong with the 870 and they have an all steel Receiver as opposed to the Mossberg's Aluminum Receiver. They are just slightly different and I build my own on the Mossberg Platform because they are Cheaper to buy used..

As far as the rest of the gun is concerned they are worth every cent because the workmanship is Excellent and these guns as a Tactical Platform are well proven in the field.

The Vang Comp Process WORKS and significantly reduces the "Perceived Recoil" of the gun with what ever ammo you choose to run. People always talk about Federal Flight Control ammo being as good or better than Vang Comp however Flite Control Ammo ain't that easy to find, and is more expensive as well. Any of My Vang Comped Barrels will pattern anyone's 00 Buck into 7" at 25 yards . They will also put an entire load of #8 birdshot onto a 6" square at 15 yards. They also shoot slugs accurately.

So are Vang Comp Shotguns worth the price? If you learn how to use one efficiently they damn sure are. If you are just going to throw it in the corner of your bedroom loaded with 3" Magnum Buckshot that you are scared to death of, and would only use it on the off chance if somebody invades your house. Probably Not, and you'd be better off just buying a plain gun at Big 5.

You can learn more about this subject on my thread "What I did to my Shotguns" at the top of the page.

Randy

[splithoof]

I would advise anyone interested in social shotguns to first invest in some good training. Find out if a shotgun fits your needs for an offensive/defensive weapon.
If it does, then research the multitude of available models.
As to the Vang products, I have heard mixed reviews from folks I know personally who have actually used such. YMMV

[BC9696]

Well after reading and researching, my order is placed. Went with the 870 because the light control forend isn't available for the Mossberg. In fact, a lot of things are on backorder for the Mossbergs. They had a 870 ready to go and I had em upgrade some things on it. I have the Federal LE 8-pellet shells and some defensive shotgun training already purchased. My Mossberg 930 is just over 47" long, fine for outdoors but not indoors so the VC will fill that need. Pissing away money? Perhaps. But Vegas was good to me so I view it as free...including ammo, training and extra stuff for my battle belt. Cody told me it is supposed to ship right away and after the 10 day wait...I'll give her a dance with the pricey ammo to see what's what. I found VC to be very helpful and professional...not to mention exceedingly patient with my million questions. :-) Stay tuned.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Good for you, and I know you won't be disappointed.

It will only be pissing away money if you don't learn how to use it and then participate in some 3 gun shoots where you get to use it in an Intense Shooting Scenario.

Running a Pump Shotgun is all about Gun Handling and learning how to Single/Port load it and learning how to rack the slide as soon as the hammer drops.

Read my Sticky which has all the info you need on Ammo Handling and Port Loading so you are better prepared for any class you might attend.

Good Luck

Randy

[BC9696]

Agreed. I have scheduled defense training with TJ of All Safe Defense. I have been doing live fire and digital training with my pistols but cannot locate this kinda course for shotgun use. A bear charge scenario would be awesome (I have a Mossberg 930 for that application) and am amazed at the differences. Digital scenarios expose all your weaknesses and force you to better use that 8" between your ears. I was requesting ice cream with my humble pie during my first sessions which had me making mistakes that would land me in both jail and the morgue. Live fire ain't enough...everyone needs to experience a 300* real life scenario. Cuz (beep) happens fast.

[acaligunner]

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

If I had money to burn and the extended wait times didn't bug me, I'd either get a Vang fully worked on or at least send them a barrel.

[W.R.Buchanan]

?Dr. PV. Vang Comp has complete guns in stock right now and can ship quickly, Also barrel work alone in not taking very long. I got my latest one back in less than 2 weeks, about 2 weeks ago! You will be Seeing it in the "What I did to my Shotguns Sticky" this next week.

It is the Mossberg 500 Special Field, Designed to be the lower cost alternative to the Remington 870 Special Field which I can't afford.

I would also like to point out that other Custom Tactical Shotguns like the Wilson Tactical have their barrels done at Vang Comp! I just found that out recently.

Randy


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[100str8]

So far we have learned that if you spend enough money to make your shotgun pattern like a cheap rifle you have made it a better shotgun. IF that was true you could accomplish the same basic thing by just having a screw in choke installed for $150.00. Then you could use a full or extra full or whatever choke you wanted. And yes the Federal buckshot is a bit pricey but you can buy a lot of it for the price of a VC barrel. But hey, what do I know, I am not pimping a sticky or anything else for that matter.

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

?Dr. PV. Vang Comp has complete guns in stock right now and can ship quickly, Also barrel work alone in not taking very long. I got my latest one back in less than 2 weeks, about 2 weeks ago! You will be Seeing it in the "What I did to my Shotguns Sticky" this next week.

It is the Mossberg 500 Special Field, Designed to be the lower cost alternative to the Remington 870 Special Field which I can't afford.

I would also like to point out that other Custom Tactical Shotguns like the Wilson Tactical have their barrels done at Vang Comp! I just found that out recently.

Randy


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If they have a two week turn around on barrels that makes me tempted to send in my 590 for work. Thanks for the update Randy.