ASI Ultramax for wilderness defense?

[Hypnogator]

At the end of the month, my wife and I are going to spend a week camping on our property near Toutle, WA. The good news: Blackberries will be ripe and plentiful. The bad news: Bear scat, both Black and Griz is also plentiful. I'll carry my old S&W Highway Patrolman 6" .357, but I'm thinking for things that go "Grrr" in the night, a 12-ga autoloader with mounted light would be ideal.

I've been looking at a couple of used Mossberg 930 Tacticals, but noticed that my local go-to dealer has an ASI Ultramax 12-ga with 18.5" barrel for ~$200. I've never heard of that model, but supposedly it has good reviews. Has anyone here had experience with one, reliability-wise? Also, does anyone make a magazine extension for this weapon to take it from 4+1 to 6 or 7+1?

As always, y'all's expertise is greatly appreciated!

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Are you dead set on an autoloader? I have never messed with ASI but they seem to have a hit and miss record, of course that was just with a very quick google scan. I would opt for a pump you can get a moss. 88 for about 180 new and some shells and be well off with a gun that you wont mind getting wet and muddy in a camping site. I just bought a moss 500 for 175 OTD at the local pawnshop, when it comes to pumps theres alot of deals out there if you can find them.

 

[Hypnogator]

Looking for autoloader because of the possibility of short-shucking a pump in an emergency, and because the wife may have to use it. Like the simplicity of take off safety, pull trigger.

 

[lemaymiami]

Before you do any buying... You might want to check that state's game regs to see exactly what you're allowed to have with you in the field since most states have ammo restrictions for any kind of hunting (and that goes double for having a weapon in the woods with a light attached to it..). Remember that if you do end up shooting a bear you'll have to report the incident, etc. Post up what you learn for the rest of us...

 

[expat_alaska]

I live near Pe Ell in SW WA. Our blackberries never ripen before September 1. I can maybe understand your concern about black bears, but that far west of the Cascades concerns about grizzlies are a stretch. We live on a 14-acre mini-farm outside of town and have only seen one black bear in the last decade or so. There has only been one incident of one getting into an uncovered dumpster at the Texaco mini-mart during that time.

I agree with others about a pump shotgun rather than an auto. I would suggest that you practice with either type shotgun before taking it into the field. IMO, the pump is a much safer gun for the uninitiated, and don't worry about short-stroking it. I have had an 870 Wingmaster since 1969 and have never short-stroked it, no matter for birds, skeet, or trap.

Just my $.02 worth.

Jim

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Looking for autoloader because of the possibility of short-shucking a pump in an emergency, and because the wife may have to use it. Like the simplicity of take off safety, pull trigger.

The possibility of a cheap autoloader jamming on you is higher than you short shucking a good pump. If your wife has to use it, stock fit and proper technique will do more to mitigate and control recoil than the platform being semi auto.

 

[expat_alaska]

I agree with others about a pump shotgun rather than an auto. IMO, the pump is a much safer gun for the uninitiated...

I guess I should clarify my reasoning. If one fires a pump gun and does not rack it (even with a full magazine), there is nothing in the chamber that will fire, even with the safety off, and one does not need proper trigger etiquette even though that would be bad form.

With a semi-auto and shells in the mag, a pull of the trigger will chamber another live round with the safety off and who knows where the trigger finger is? It is not a gun for the novice, period.

If you and your wife are familiar with your .357, that is ample gun to put down a black bear. I guess you could put a light on it, but a hand-held flashlight in the weak hand will give you an edge.

When I lived in Alaska for 35 years I carried a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 3-screw in a shoulder holster when salmon fishing in case of primarily grizzlies/browns. I never felt undergunned. That .357 should do well for you in WA.

Sorry to be so blunt.

Jim

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I'm trying to find more info on ASI but most doesn't seem like a reliable source.

I'm not opposed to Turkish shotguns, but they can be great or not so great.

One that I've seen that I've liked is, I believe, the FedArm imports. If my memory serves me, they are Sarsilmaz built.

I love Sarsilmaz. They were around $300 for a semi auto.

But if it were me, I'd go with a cheap pump as it may serve you better in the long run as having a fire fight with a black bear is a rare occurrence.

 

[expat_alaska]

But if it were me, I'd go with a cheap pump as it may serve you better in the long run as having a fire fight with a black bear is a rare occurrence.

I like your sig.

 

[#1buck]

I would pass. If you're dead set on a semi auto don't go cheap unless you find a good deal on something you trust. A used but beater 1100 or Winchester 1400 can be had pretty cheap. I'm a big fan of the Remington 11-48 and it's variants the Sportsman and Mohawk. Whatever you get run plenty of whatever ammo you're going to use through it to make sure it functions.

 

[Bralix]

Bennelli Nova/Supernova tube extensions fit. I have a +3 Tacstar on mine. Probably going to get a +4 so the magazine tube is the same length as the 20" barrel. The Ultramax is a 1:1 clone of a beretta extrima 1301. I hope this helps people.

 

[DDDWho]

This is the whole of my shotgun inventory. Its the only pic I have of my Mav 88 (on top). I picked it up last year at Academy for $180. Rumor has it its essentially a 500 with a different safety location. Assembled in Eagle Pass, Texas prolly of Mexican parts. I've shot it some but mainly its for HD and sets in the corner.
I sure as hell ain't gonna cut the barrel off of a Model 12 to use as a camp or HD shotgun.

 

[Hookeye]

Watched my dove buddy shoot his 870 last yr.
BOOM, then a move to eject. Another move to chamber. Find the bird, BOOM.

Very stilted, on a gun that he's had forever, is smooth.

Me? BOOM BOOM.
When the gun comes back on target it's ready to fire.
No conscious pumping.

I've run OU and autos too.
No prob going back to a pump.

Never short stroked one.

Wonder if it's more how we think than how we move.

 

[Hookeye]

I would also not go cheap as possible if wanting to defend myself.

Am happy with my 870 Express Supermagnum Turkey gun though.
Hundreds of rounds, no probs.

 

[SharpDog]

I have no information on the ASI, I have Mossys, 870s and Benelli Super 90s. None of them have failed me but I've been running my Bennys for 45+ years and that is my goto.

 

[Robbins290]

i noticed when i used a pump for field work. when i had to use and my adrenaline was pumping. i racked that shotgun faster and harder under stress then shooting clays/paper. I would not risk using a cheaper semi auto shotgun when my life and my wifes life depended on it. I would practice over and over again with the pump. Even she has her own pump for defense. A youth model, and she was never a shooter till i came along. She has never short stroked it, not once while using the full size before her own.

pump that thing like you are trying to break it, you will not hurt it.

 

[Fiv3r]

I see this is almost a year old thread to the day, but I too wouldn't feel to warm and fuzzy relying on a cheap autoloader for defense.

Short stroking a pump is a real threat. Riding the trigger of a DAO revolver and short stroking it is a threat. Limp wristing an auto is a threat.

I would take any one of those over getting off a round of 12 gauge when i needed two only to see the previous shell stovepiped in the action.

Like Robbins said, shuck that shotgun like you're trying to break it, and you won't have an issue. Pump guns are not subtle. They are big, powerful, and noisy to run.

 

[Boattale]

I've run an M-1 super 90 for nearly 20 years now with zero malfunction. The one in the closet is 870. I totally 100% trust them both. For pete's sake, if you are buying a gun to bet your life on, do you really want a bargain import with a questionable pedigree? Before I went that route to save a few bucks, I would get a H&R single shot and a butt cuff of OO.

 

[deputygene]

At the end of the month, my wife and I are going to spend a week camping on our property near Toutle, WA. The good news: Blackberries will be ripe and plentiful. The bad news: Bear scat, both Black and Griz is also plentiful. I'll carry my old S&W Highway Patrolman 6" .357, but I'm thinking for things that go "Grrr" in the night, a 12-ga autoloader with mounted light would be ideal.

I've been looking at a couple of used Mossberg 930 Tacticals, but noticed that my local go-to dealer has an ASI Ultramax 12-ga with 18.5" barrel for ~$200. I've never heard of that model, but supposedly it has good reviews. Has anyone here had experience with one, reliability-wise? Also, does anyone make a magazine extension for this weapon to take it from 4+1 to 6 or 7+1?

As always, y'all's expertise is greatly appreciated!

Old thread I, know, but I have an ASI Ultramax and it is a decent low price semi auto. It is recommended to run 3.25 to 3.5 dram shells. I broke mine in with two boxes of 3.25 dram birdshot loads, now it seems to work fine with 1oz 1150 fps loads, the same loads my inertia guns will not run at all. About 250 rounds through it now with a couple of double feeds early on, perfect functioning for the last 175 rounds. This is a lightweight 4+1 gas operated semi auto with an interesting gas system. Comes with sling swivel studs, would be easy to carry slung in the woods. Also, it comes threaded for Benelli chokes. I'll try some slugs tomorrow and let you know. I saw this gun on sale for $150.00 and had to try it out. So far I'm glad I did. With the 1oz loads, this gun is a real soft shooter. With reduced recoil slugs, might be perfect for the wife.

 

[Virginian]

Oh wow, now we not only have home defense/urban tactical, but wilderness tactical too ! ! A whole new accessories market. All camo, but then you have a huge array of those.

 

[deputygene]

Oh wow, now we not only have home defense/urban tactical, but wilderness tactical too ! ! A whole new accessories market. All camo, but then you have a huge array of those.

Don't know about all that. I do know this is a light, short, handy shotgun that comes threaded for chokes and has been reliable after a 2 box break in. It's all black, not camo.
I did shoot a box of 1oz, 1600 fps slugs through it before work tonight. Cycled them fine, had a pretty strong kick and threw the hulls about 15 feet away. I took out the cyl choke and screwed in a modified choke I already had. As for what the original poster asked about, this would have been a good gun to have.