Remington V3 Tactical a ‘Superior Choice’

By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor

Many shooters do not realize how the choices in personal defense shotguns have grown in the past decade.

   As a young man every shotgun on the shelf was a pure sporting shotgun. From single shot and double barrel shotguns to pump action and self-loading shotguns, the shotgun was intended for taking game. Barrel lengths of 24 to 28 inches were most common with occasional “Long Tom” versions with a 30-inch barrel for goose and duck hunting. I never saw a riot gun until I became a peace officer.

   These light and handy short barrel pump action shotguns were ideal for most uses. We had a shotgun squad at one agency. On the other hand, in a dozen or more instances in which homeowners used a shotgun to defend themselves over the last 20 years I cannot recall anything other than a sporting type shotgun being used. Times have changed.

   Today we have shotguns specifically designed for personal defense and home defense. Some are well suited for 3 Gun competition straight out of the box. One of the most interesting new shotguns is the Remington V 3 Tactical, a shotgun based on the proven V 3 sporting shotgun.

   I was very interested in the V 3 Tactical. My long serving Remington 870 is a great pump action shotgun, and a companion Remington 1100 is a special short (18.5 inch) barrel custom shotgun. The V 3 is superior in every way to these formidable shotguns. The V 3 shotgun has been in use for more than a decade and is a proven shotgun.

   The V 3 is a gas operated self-loading 12-gauge shotgun. The V 3 is famously reliable with 2 ¾-inch and 3-inch shells from game loads to heavy bucks. The V 3 uses a gas regulation system that is innovative and effective. More of the gas ports are exposed with low brass short shells. The system simply uses whatever gas is generated efficiently. This makes training possible with lighter less expensive shotgun shells. Another advantage is that the V 3 kicks less than many shotguns. While I do not consider the Remington 1100 a hard kicker the V 3 kicks less. The system uses relatively small recoil springs as the gas is bled into a gas block. If you are familiar with the Benelli M4 system, the V 3 operates on a similar principle.

   The V 3 Tactical features an oversized bolt release and safety. Speed and positive handling are the goal and the goal is well met with these additions. Just as important the loading port is enlarged for fast and easy loading. On that subject I have seen competitors perform the dual load, loading two shells at once, holding them thumb to thumb. It seems quite a few are able to master this load with practice. I would think 500 repetitions are required. I have occasionally made a very slick dual shell load.

   What separates a true athlete is the quad load. Yes, some are able to load four shells in a rapid motion. I am not saying the V 3 will allow this feature without a tremendous amount of practice but there is no shotgun faster than the V 3 when it comes to a speed load. While the operator is most important when you use a shotgun like the V 3 your talents will be well complimented. The V 3 also features an enlarged ejection port. This makes for positive ejection and ease of speed loading a shell into the port. The rotating bolt head is a positive feature. The V 3 also features a wide trigger and an extended bolt handle.

   The Remington V 3 tested is supplied with optional XS sights. The rear sight is a cross between a true speed sight and a rifle sight and the front ramp is dovetailed into a base.  The sights may be easily changed if needed. The XS sight combination offers a good balance between speed in rapid work with buckshot and precision with slug loads. The barrel is 18.5 inches long. The magazine is an extended type with a seven shell capacity. The forend and buttstock are of a well designed synthetic material. The molded textures provide good abrasion and adhesion. It is simple enough to mount a tactical sling.

   Remington makes great shotgun shells and it seemed only natural to use Remington 12-gauge shells to wring the best results out of the V 3 Tactical. That doesn’t mean Remington was the only brand I ran through the shotgun. That would not be a viable test. I fired loads from most of the major makers, from the top rated tactical buckshot loads to the cheapest cut rate foreign shells. All have run without any failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject.

   The shotgun demands training. Preparation is everything. The Remington V 3 handles quickly, with a good natural point, and as issued with its open choke, will center buckshot on the target to 15 yards, a bit longer with some loads. The piece is very reliable.

   Compared to a pump action shotgun the V 3 is much faster to a follow up shot, transverses between targets quickly, and offers lighter recoil. I also fired a few boxes of the Remington Managed Recoil slugs. These are hard hitters. My experience and research indicates that slugs are more certain stoppers than buckshot at short range and must be used at longer range. The one-ounce slug is accurate to about 50 yards. I was able to fire several three shot three inch groups at 50 yards. This is outstanding for a smooth bore shotgun.

   The V 3 is an outstanding model that will compliment the skills of a trained shooter.