Jeff Thomas
New member
These two firms seem to both produce excellent Rem 870's for police tactical and home defense use. Any opinions on the best company? Anyone have experience with both so they can contrast the differences?
Vang Comp vs. Scattergun Technologies
- Thread starter Jeff Thomas
- Start date
Rich Lucibella
Staff
Jeff-
I think they can be viewed in different fields. Scattergun specializes in creating tactical (sorry, Kodiac) shotguns. Vang specializes in barrel work that reduces recoil and pattern size.
If I ever get off my dead butt, I intend to provide a preliminary review of the Scattergun 870 which I recieved last week. Noteworthy is the fact that the barrel is going off to Vang as the pattern size is simply unacceptable. Scattergun is not responsible for this...it's luck of the draw with Remington, as I understand it.
Rich
I think they can be viewed in different fields. Scattergun specializes in creating tactical (sorry, Kodiac) shotguns. Vang specializes in barrel work that reduces recoil and pattern size.
If I ever get off my dead butt, I intend to provide a preliminary review of the Scattergun 870 which I recieved last week. Noteworthy is the fact that the barrel is going off to Vang as the pattern size is simply unacceptable. Scattergun is not responsible for this...it's luck of the draw with Remington, as I understand it.
Rich
Rich: Please inform us what is unacceptable about the Remington patterns. Isn't a scattergun (cylinder bore) supposed to give a wide pattern? I believe that Vanguard can tighten patterns quite a bit. How much is too much and is it worth it? A Defensive shotgun is meant to be used in CQB and should have a wide pattern supposedly!? I have been drooling over SCT Rem 870 in the Standard Model but am curious about the name brand of the "1100 candlepower light". How tech is this feature per the cost or should I add my own?
Rich Lucibella
Staff
snowman-
The limited training I've had with the defensive shotgun has emphasized it's role as a "surgical" weapon. In my case, I was shooting a 14"x14" paper with 2 3/4" 00 Buck. At 8 yards (25 ft), the group was 5.75" with one pellet off paper; at 17 yards (50 ft)the group was 13" with two pellets off paper.
The group sizes aren't terrible, but the fliers cause me some concern. I believe the 870 can be tuned to get the entire group within head size at 15-20 yards.
The fore end light provided by Scattergun is a SureFire.
Rich
[This message has been edited by Rich Lucibella (edited 01-14-99).]
The limited training I've had with the defensive shotgun has emphasized it's role as a "surgical" weapon. In my case, I was shooting a 14"x14" paper with 2 3/4" 00 Buck. At 8 yards (25 ft), the group was 5.75" with one pellet off paper; at 17 yards (50 ft)the group was 13" with two pellets off paper.
The group sizes aren't terrible, but the fliers cause me some concern. I believe the 870 can be tuned to get the entire group within head size at 15-20 yards.
The fore end light provided by Scattergun is a SureFire.
Rich
[This message has been edited by Rich Lucibella (edited 01-14-99).]
Rich Lucibella
Staff
snowman-
There's your answer. Vinny can extend his reach by 50% with a 35% *reduction* in spread.
Rich
There's your answer. Vinny can extend his reach by 50% with a 35% *reduction* in spread.
Rich
Jeff Thomas
New member
So, if we're willing to spend the cash, is it a good move to have SCT do all the work except the barrel? And then have Vang do their work on the barrel? Personal preference, I'm sure, but what do y'all think?
Jeff, If you'll look at VangComp's website you'll notice that they do complete 870 packages, utilizing your 870 or supplying one themselves. They; however, use the MMC ghostring sights (which have a fabulous reputation) and stay with the standard Remington stock, although I believe they shorten the length of pull and install a diff. recoil pad or chamfer the edges. It mainly goes down to your preference on sights - do you want the Scattergun sights or the MMC ghostrings? Obviously, the Vang barrel modification is the heart, next to the sights, of the package. My preference would be to go with the Vang Comp 870 package, barrel modiications done, and dedicated surefire fore-end. As to the MCS porting, I'm not sure as to what the overall opinion on shotgun porting is, that's probably a whole new thread! I have porting on my Marine Mag. 870 (on an improved cylinder bore, I believe) and like the almost absent muzzle rize, but would like the decreased pattern size of the Vang barrel mods. also. EricO
Jeff Thomas
New member
Bought a couple of great VHS tapes yesterday - Gunsite ( http://www.gunsite.net/ ). Watched 'Tactical Shotgun I' this evening, and I learned, among other things, that apparently Gunsite has a tactical shotgun package for sale as well. They use the MMC sights, as well as Vang Comp barrel work. I'll have to check them out - they're about 2.5 hours away, so we'll have to take a ride up there.
Rosco Benson
New member
Jeff; you may or may not be able to get "Vang" barrel modifications through the Gunsite smithy. An acquaintance told me that Vang has filed a lawsuit against Gunsite. This may be BS or it may be the facts. It should be easy enough to verify.
Rosco
Rosco
Rich Lucibella
Staff
Gunsite is no longer selling Vang barrels. Ted does his own brand of backboring.
Rich
Rich
Jeff Thomas
New member
You're right about Gunsite not selling Vang Comp barrels anymore, and the law suit as well.
Spoke with Hans Vang today - heck of a nice guy. Willing to spend a few minutes with me to discuss options, clarify some things off his web site, etc. He handles 'dumb' questions with great tact.
All things being equal, I prefer doing business with people I like. Hans seems to be a little more expensive than SCT, but that seems to be explained by the barrel work and MMC sights. And, your comments are correct - he does a package similar to SCT's. All in all, seems to be good value for an exceptional, proven package.
Thanks again for all the comments.
Spoke with Hans Vang today - heck of a nice guy. Willing to spend a few minutes with me to discuss options, clarify some things off his web site, etc. He handles 'dumb' questions with great tact.
All things being equal, I prefer doing business with people I like. Hans seems to be a little more expensive than SCT, but that seems to be explained by the barrel work and MMC sights. And, your comments are correct - he does a package similar to SCT's. All in all, seems to be good value for an exceptional, proven package.
Thanks again for all the comments.
Rich Lucibella
Staff
Curiouser and curiouser.
Jeff-
Did Vang indicate that he had *filed* a suit?
Rich
Jeff-
Did Vang indicate that he had *filed* a suit?
Rich
Jeff Thomas
New member
Rich - let me answer by saying that I understand the suit is now a matter of public record, and will be tried in the U.S. District Court in Arizona. And, olegunftr, I think your dinner is safe.
[This message has been edited by Jeff Thomas (edited 01-21-99).]
[This message has been edited by Jeff Thomas (edited 01-21-99).]
Tripemaster
New member
I have a Scattergun-technologies built Remington 870 (their "standard" model), and am extremely pleased with its patterning ability. With Federal tactical 00 buck it maintains all pellets within a 6 inch radius at 25 yards. It performs similarly with all other loads I have used. I participated in a tactical shotgun training course last weekend using this gun, and it patterened by far the best of any gun that was there (no one had a Vang, however). I opted for the modified choke when I ordered it, but beyond that I think it really is the luck of the draw with the barrel you get from Remington.
I have sent a number of 870s to SGT for their refurb work, and have been extremely pleased with the results. Then the barrels went to VangComp. Great guns and now with a lot more life left to them. 8 inches at 25 yards, with Tac Buck, out of the Vang barrel, seems pretty consistent with our guns.