Shotgun guys.. Remington SPR453/Baikal MP153?

[Nostril Cheese]

Friend of mine has one of these and says its a good shotgun. I've been getting into trap shooting and wonder what you guys think for $200.

Worth getting as a trap shooting starter or more money for something better?

[targa911S]

No. Baikal/Russian guns are way over built and handle like a 2x4. If you break anything on it just throw it away as there are no spares to be had. Even from the manufacturer.

[legion]

I have the SPR453 and SPR310 (over/under). I plan on replacing both eventually with higher-quality shotguns, but I've had them for about 10 years and am in no particular hurry either. Like most Russian firearms, they are built like tanks but the fit and finish is poor. They are great beginner, barn, or field guns. If you are just trying to figure out if you are interested in trap, it is a fine shotgun.

The SPR453 is a BIG shotgun. I'm 6'1" and it's about the right size for me. It is too big for anyone much smaller. It will shoot 3½" shells, so it has a long receiver.

One thing to look out for on the SPR453/MP153, it will slam fire if you set the tension on the recoil spring too tight (which may be necessary to cycle 3½" shells). The spring on the firing pin is pretty soft and can fail to arrest the forward momentum of the firing pin if the recoil spring closes the action too hard.

[Seahawk]

No personal experience with the MP153 but it is great to read you are getting into trap shooting.

I enjoy it very much.

As mentioned, make sure the gun fits you and you are comfortable with it. It should come with four extended choke tubes. Experiment with them a bit to see what works best for you. Tough to beat that price.

If it doesn't, do a few searches and you'll learn more about chokes and trap shooting, what is available, than you thought possible.

Plus, extended chokes put you 1" closer to the target...a shooter like me need all the help I can get

[Nostril Cheese]

My friend has a variety of quality shotguns, Beretta, Benelli, etc.. The one I liked most was the Remington 1100. felt "right", very controllable. I'm just not sure I want to lay out that cash yet.

I havent fired the SPR453 yet. We shall see how it goes. I'm really enjoying it so far. Really good range instructor at the local park.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

My friend has a variety of quality shotguns, Beretta, Benelli, etc.. The one I liked most was the Remington 1100. felt "right", very controllable. I'm just not sure I want to lay out that cash yet.

I haven't fired the SPR453 yet. We shall see how it goes. I'm really enjoying it so far. Really good range instructor at the local park.

Excellent. Getting a good grounding is very cool.

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by targa911S

No. Baikal/Russian guns are way over built and handle like a 2x4. If you break anything on it just throw it away as there are no spares to be had. Even from the manufacturer.

Or just buy two and have a ton of spares??

[jyl]

Originally Posted by legion

One thing to look out for on the SPR453/MP153, it will slam fire if you set the tension on the recoil spring too tight (which may be necessary to cycle 3½" shells). The spring on the firing pin is pretty soft and can fail to arrest the forward momentum of the firing pin if the recoil spring closes the action too hard.

I'd destroy a gun that had such a slam fire risk. Seems like huge liability. Basic shotguns are cheap. Including ones that don't pose this risk.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

The one I liked most was the Remington 1100. felt "right", very controllable.

Ya can't go wrong with an 1100. Me, I shoot a Ithaca featherlight. Bottom eject so a lefty can just pick it up and shoot.

If you want the truth, it's not so much the gun as it is the shooter. My nephew goes to some shoots locally. He has a Mossberg 500 and places in the top 5 or better at most events against guys with much more expensive guns. Me, I can't hit anything in the air but put it on the ground running and I'm decent.

[ThomO]

If you are only doing trap shooting try to find a used BT99