M3500 Waterfowl Special Review
As a hunter and outdoors enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of trying out various shotguns over the years. The M3500 Waterfowl Special is one of the most impressive and reliable shotguns I’ve ever had the chance to test. In this review, I’ll share my experience with this premium waterfowl shotgun, highlighting its key features, pros, and cons.
Key Features and Benefits
The M3500 Waterfowl Special is an upgraded version of the popular M3500 platform, offering a range of features that make it an ideal choice for duck and goose hunters. Here are some of the key features and benefits that set this shotgun apart:
- Enlarged Charging Handle and Bolt-Release: The charging handle and bolt-release are both enlarged for easy manipulation while wearing gloves, making it a breeze to load and unload shells.
- Cerakote FDE Finish: The receiver and stock are finished in a durable Cerakote FDE (Fiber-Optic-Dyed-Epoxy) finish, providing better concealment in marshland environments.
- Realtree Max-7 Finish: The stock is also finished in Realtree Max-7, a popular camouflage pattern that provides excellent camouflage in various environments.
- Inertia Driven System: The Inertia Driven System is a simple yet reliable action that eliminates the need for gas cylinders, O-Rings, and other complicated parts. This makes it a great choice for hunters who want a hassle-free shooting experience.
- Drilled and Tapped Receiver: The receiver is drilled and tapped for installing Weaver 93-style optics bases, making it easy to install high-quality optics.
- Shim Kit Included: A shim kit is included to ensure the shotgun is perfectly fitted to the hunter’s hand, providing a comfortable and secure shooting experience.
- Integrated Recoil Reducer: The stock comes with an integrated recoil reducer, which helps to reduce recoil and make the shotgun easier to handle.
- High-Visibility Fiber Optic Sight: The high-visibility fiber optic sight provides excellent accuracy in low-light conditions, making it a great choice for hunters who need to shoot in challenging environments.
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of the M3500 Waterfowl Special:
Pros:
- Reliable and Easy to Use: The Inertia Driven System makes it easy to load and unload shells, and the enlarged charging handle and bolt-release make it a breeze to manipulate while wearing gloves.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: The Cerakote FDE finish and Realtree Max-7 finish provide excellent durability and resistance to wear and tear.
- Comfortable and Secure: The shim kit and integrated recoil reducer ensure a comfortable and secure shooting experience.
- High-Quality Optics: The drilled and tapped receiver and high-visibility fiber optic sight provide excellent optical clarity and accuracy.
- Versatile: The M3500 Waterfowl Special is suitable for a range of hunting applications, from duck hunting to goose hunting.
Cons:
- Expensive: The M3500 Waterfowl Special is a premium shotgun, and its price reflects its high-quality construction and features.
- Limited Shell Capacity: The shotgun’s shell capacity is limited to 3 ½" magnum shells, which may be a concern for hunters who need to shoot larger loads.
- Requires Maintenance: The Inertia Driven System requires regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance, which may be a concern for hunters who are not familiar with shotgun maintenance.
My Experience with the M3500 Waterfowl Special
I’ve had the pleasure of trying out the M3500 Waterfowl Special for several hunting trips, and I can confidently say that it’s one of the most reliable and enjoyable shotguns I’ve ever used. The Inertia Driven System is a game-changer, and the Cerakote FDE finish and Realtree Max-7 finish provide excellent durability and concealment.
One of the things that impressed me most about the M3500 Waterfowl Special is its ease of use. The enlarged charging handle and bolt-release make it a breeze to load and unload shells, and the shim kit ensures a comfortable and secure shooting experience. The high-visibility fiber optic sight also provides excellent accuracy in low-light conditions.
However, I did experience some issues with the shotgun’s shell capacity. The limited shell capacity may be a concern for hunters who need to shoot larger loads, and I had to adjust the shotgun’s settings to accommodate the larger shells.
Overall, I highly recommend the M3500 Waterfowl Special to any hunter who’s looking for a reliable and enjoyable shotgun. Its ease of use, durability, and versatility make it an ideal choice for a range of hunting applications.
Conclusion
The M3500 Waterfowl Special is a premium waterfowl shotgun that offers a range of features and benefits that make it an ideal choice for duck and goose hunters. Its Inertia Driven System, Cerakote FDE finish, and Realtree Max-7 finish provide excellent durability and concealment, while its ease of use and comfort make it a breeze to handle. While it may be expensive, the M3500 Waterfowl Special is a worthwhile investment for any hunter who’s looking for a reliable and enjoyable shotgun.
