Poly choke

[cbourbeau32]

One of the local pawnshops has a Remmington semi auto shotgun for sale for $260. It has a "poly choke". What are your opinions of the poly choke? And secondly is that a pretty good deal for the shotgun? I would rate it at better than 95%. It basically looks new. It has a 2 3/4" chamber. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Charlie

[wink_man]

You fail to mention what model the gun is. Either way, if the gun is 95%, as you state, it sounds like a good buy. My assumption is it's a Remington 11-48, which is a fine gun, just that recoil is a tad more than an 1100 or 11-87, as the 11-48 is a spring operated action like the Browning Auto-5, rather than a gas operated action. I'm also basing my assumption that it's an 11-48 due the the Poly Choke, which is time period correct for that era. While I've never used an 11-48, I have a neighbor that has one in 20 gauge, and he likes it very much.

Poly chokes were a very popular option to a shotgun prior to the screw in choke era, and again, while I never used one, the people I know who have(had) them, never had any complaints and liked them very much. I think the fact that the Poly Choke Company today, is still alive and well is testament to that. Very innovative company, that makes quality products, and right here in the USA, they even have a 'Poly Choke II' designed to be used in place of a standard screw in choke for a variety of shotguns:
  http://www.poly-choke.com/

Considering that a new Poly choke II goes for close to $100, makes the gun an even better bargain to me at that price. If it was me, frankly, I'd buy the gun just for the opportunity to play with and pattern some loads with the poly choke, but of course, I'm a bit of a gun nut. The EX used to say it was a 'disease', I guess thats why they call them EX'S, LMAO. Unfortunatley for her, the kids inherited the same 'disease' and chose to live with the 'gun nut', smart kids them kids, LMAO.

[JPShelton]

I have a 1950 Browning A-5 Light 12 that sports a Poly Choke.  My A-5 is a flat-shooting, 50/50 gun for me and the Poly delivers expected pattern densities with the various choke settings and centers them.  In shooting the gun, I don't even know the thing is there.  All I see is the target, which is as it shoulld be.  Where it shines is in convenience.  I don't have to carry a poo-load of choke tubes or a wrench to change them with.  I don't have to screw around unscrewing chokes and screwing in new ones.  Any choke constriction I need is obtained with a few quick clicks on the selector ring.  I also shoot an 870 with Rem-Chokes and I much prefer the Poly over tubes, particularly for hunting use.  On the sporting course, tubes aren't such a hassle, and that is where I shoot my 870 most (Yeah, I know, you're not supposed to shoot sporting with a "farmer gun," but that doesn't spoil my joy one bit).  Still, I am thinking about buying a Poly II for the 870.

I started shotgun shooting as teen with a gifted Mossberg M-500 and the only thing about that POS gun that I liked was their lame version of the Poly which they called "C-Lect Choke" or something similar.

Where the Poly Choke is concerned, I am a huge fan!

-JP

[dukkillr]

I hate them.  Absolutely can't stand them.  So many wonderful guns (like the one you're looking to buy) were ruined because their owners didn't understand the value of a fixed choke.  Now those guns are sitting on racks all around the country for 5-50% of their value.  They're ugly as sin, they destroy the sight line, and they don't add anything you need. 

The only way I'd buy that gun is if it were less than $50.00 and I could get the barrel cut down for a riot gun.  I wouldn't let one of those hideous choke things get close a quality gun.

[cbourbeau32]

Hey Duk, I am just looking at the gun. I probably won't buy it because I have a 12 ga already. I just wondered about the value. Do you use a O/U or side by side or a single shot to get your fixed choke? Charlie

[dukkillr]

I don't actually understand your question.  But I use pumps, autos, and doubles.  I don't own any singles anymore, and I don't like side-by-sides.  Primarily I shoot pumps.  Winchester Model 12s for upland (28" Mod for pheasants, ducks, doves, fall turkeys, and mixed bag) (26" IMP for quail). 

My point about the fixed choke was this:  Excluding slugs and turkeys, I don't know what you can't do well with a Modified choke.  So if the gun was made with a full (as so many were) you could have it bored out and you're good to go.  The gun still looks good, retains it's classic lines, and has a decent sighting picture. 

Even fans of those things will admit that they destroy the value of the gun... Now if you start with a cheap POS gun (as someone else said above) then I guess it doesn't make much difference in the value.