IPSC / Dynamic Shotgun Pump and Semi-Auto, What Length is Recommended?

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Hi all,

Looking to get a new shotgun for IPSC or Practical Shotgun. My Mossberg is not up to the task as it does not have chokes, is heavy, and only has a 6+1 shot capacity.

What's the go-to pump shotgun for IPSC-type shooting? Is it the Benelli Supernova? What barrel length is best - 26" or 28"?

Similarly, for semi-auto choices, it seems the Beretta 1301 Comp Pro is pretty much out-of-the-box ready, but do people prefer the 21" or 24" model? Are there any other choices I should consider, like the Benelli M2 SP in 26" or 28"?

I likely won't use it for clays, so it's solely for practical shotgun use, should I get a shorter one for easier maneuverability?

Thanks!

[u/Q-Ball7]

What's the go-to pump shotgun

None. Buy a semi-auto.

If you truly can't/won't afford that, buy a base model Nova; you can still load that reasonably quickly and can save up for an M2 afterwards... if you don't dread this type of competition by then, of course; this is a lot of rounds to put through a shotgun in one day. Pistol grips won't help you in this game so the Supernova isn't really an upgrade.

My Mossberg is not up to the task as it does not have chokes, is heavy, and only has a 6+1 shot capacity.

And most importantly, you're not loading it with any speed whatsoever. Fitting chokes and extending the tube is trivial, but you're not going to have much luck loading doubles. IPSC Shotgun is, to a point, a competition about how fast you can reload, so any gun you can't do that quickly with is handicapping you.

This is the real reason why competition lineups tend to be dominated by Benellis (and knockoffs) and the odd Versamax (for its 3.5" chamber)- you actually stand half a chance of being able to do 2x2 loading reliably on those guns.

You will also want actual sights, not just a bead.

should I get a shorter one for easier maneuverability?

The M2 Speed is only available in the one barrel length.