SXP Review & Finish
Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 1:05 pm
This will be a fairly brief review, as time is working against me today.
I find little to be amiss with the SXP Black shadow. It's as smooth as glass, and the first impression of quality is reinforced as time goes by. It's quick to the shoulder, and seems to hit where aimed, and recoil seems almost non-existent. I have not tried any heavy loads yet, but compared to a youth model 1300 20 ga. wood stock with a limbsaver recoil pad, it is night and day. The 1300 smacks me in the upper jaw, but a sligtly longer like-new Hogue standard stock (13 3/4 LOP) may fix that.
The issue I have with the SXP is one of a learning curve, since I have utilized auto-loaders for a long time over the years. I find that if the forearm is tightly gripped your hand can actually impede how quick the gun cycles. While hunting quail, I found I was having difficulty getting the next round chambered. Same was true with the little 1300, so it will just take more practice...I find that with the SXP the fired round is usually gone, then I have to remember to stroke it
My concern now is that the finish on the barrel, and perhaps the receiver as well is not so great. A Mossberg matte finish is a lot deeper. I easily put a light scratch in the 26" barrel taking the gun from the trunk. I will be more careful with the 24"- which BTW, I like a lot better.
The receiver area just above the trigger guard - where my finger probably is resting- already shows a slight rub mark! I am torn between sending it back to Winchester central or not. Their policy is no warranty, just like Browning, but I also was told Browning wants everything to go smoothly with this model. They also say that if a repair estimate is not accepted, you will be responsible to pay a $30 return shipping fee. So...I guess the worst to expect is I pay a fee if they do not fix it free. Perhaps I will get a new receiver out of the deal in the best case: they won't be re-finishing it.
I find little to be amiss with the SXP Black shadow. It's as smooth as glass, and the first impression of quality is reinforced as time goes by. It's quick to the shoulder, and seems to hit where aimed, and recoil seems almost non-existent. I have not tried any heavy loads yet, but compared to a youth model 1300 20 ga. wood stock with a limbsaver recoil pad, it is night and day. The 1300 smacks me in the upper jaw, but a sligtly longer like-new Hogue standard stock (13 3/4 LOP) may fix that.
The issue I have with the SXP is one of a learning curve, since I have utilized auto-loaders for a long time over the years. I find that if the forearm is tightly gripped your hand can actually impede how quick the gun cycles. While hunting quail, I found I was having difficulty getting the next round chambered. Same was true with the little 1300, so it will just take more practice...I find that with the SXP the fired round is usually gone, then I have to remember to stroke it
My concern now is that the finish on the barrel, and perhaps the receiver as well is not so great. A Mossberg matte finish is a lot deeper. I easily put a light scratch in the 26" barrel taking the gun from the trunk. I will be more careful with the 24"- which BTW, I like a lot better.
The receiver area just above the trigger guard - where my finger probably is resting- already shows a slight rub mark! I am torn between sending it back to Winchester central or not. Their policy is no warranty, just like Browning, but I also was told Browning wants everything to go smoothly with this model. They also say that if a repair estimate is not accepted, you will be responsible to pay a $30 return shipping fee. So...I guess the worst to expect is I pay a fee if they do not fix it free. Perhaps I will get a new receiver out of the deal in the best case: they won't be re-finishing it.