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Reviews
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Date of last review
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2
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6328
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16/6/08
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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£60.00
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8.5
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Description:
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The new multi-shot shotgun by UTG, sporting 3 barrels, and shell-fed shotgun action.
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Keywords:
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UTG M3S Multi Shot Shotgun
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crimsonfalcon07
Registered: October 2006
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
Posts: 178
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Review Date: 10/3/08
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £60.00
| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Cons:
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UTG M3S Multi-Shot Shotgun Full Photo Review
By The Crimson Falcon
Each of the various U.S. companies seems to have a strong suit. Echo 1, for instance, has done an admirable job of picking decent MPEG’s to import. TSD caters to people looking for more expensive and higher quality guns. UTG has done a decent job picking MPEG’s, of course, but I’ve always been more drawn to their spring gun selection. They offered me the chance to look at their new multi-shot shotgun, and with their past reputation, I jumped at the opportunity. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that a U.S. company has brought in an affordable shell-fed multi-shot shotgun, so I’m very interested to take a look at it.
Table of Contents
First Impressions
Real Steel History
Appearance/Feel/Build Quality
Internals
Function
Performance
Accessories and Modifications
Pros & Cons
Ordering
The Final Word
First Impressions
As I mentioned before, UTG has brought in some very good spring guns. The M324 and Mk96 are both solid rifles, and of course, the Everblast shotguns (DE M87) really blew away the other budget shotguns of the time. I still own two of them, in fact. So, let’s take a look at this highly anticipated new shotgun. The box is nicely colored and durable, and the gun comes with the usual assortment of UTG goodies.
 
The box contains a manual with virtually no Engrish, a sling (which is crap compared to the sling I got with my M324, but still a good thought), the usual speedloader, and two shells. Okay, at this point, I want to remark that I think UTG made a mistake with having different colored shells. I want my shells to look the same, and it just looks silly to have multi-colored shells. Sadly, the spare shell sets that UTG is marketing come with 3 colors (red, green, black). I would prefer to get sets of shells that are all the same color (I’m guessing the red ones would sell the best), and be able to choose the color. The shells each hold 30 bb’s, which are enough for 10 shots of 3 bb’s, and look pretty good.
Okay, enough about the peripherals. Let’s talk about the gun!
Real Steel History
As you no doubt know, this gun is based off of the Benelli M3. Here’s what World Guns has to say about it:
 http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/ben_m3t.jpg" alt=" http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/ben_m3t.jpg" class="bb-image" />
Type: selective pump-action or semi-auto recoil inertia operated
Gauge: 12
Length: 1040-1200mm
Barrel length: 500-660 mm.
Weight 3.2-3.5 kg
Capacity: 8 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine
“The Benelli M3 is an updated version of the Benelli M1 shotgun. The M3 uses the same inertia recoil semi-automatic system as the earlier Benelli M1, but with the addition of another Benelli patented feature, which allows to the shooter to lock the semi-automatic action and switch to the manually operated pump-action mode and back in the matter of seconds. The action type switch is located at the forward end of the forearm, and is formed as an annular knurled ring. Rotation of this ring either engages the action rods of the pump system and locks the semi-automatic recoil system, or disengages the action bars, locks the forearm and allows the inertia recoil system to operate the action automatically. This greatly improves the versatility of the shotgun, allowing it to fire low-powered ammunition (mostly of special purpose, such as less-lethal rubber or tear-gas projectiles) in the manually operated pump action mode, and to fire full power combat loads with slugs or buckshot in rapid semi-automatic mode. The under-barrel tubular magazine usually holds 8 rounds for police or military versions, or less in some civilian models.
The M3 Super 90 is available with various barrel lengths and stock options, with fixed butt and semi-pistol or pistol grips, or with top-folding butts and pistol grips. Sight options include shotgun-type open sights, rifle type open sights, ghost ring (diopter) sights and various mounts for red dot or low magnification telescope sights and tactical flashlights and laser pointers.
The M3 is a high quality, very versatile shotgun, and is very popular both as a police weapon, and also as a civilian weapon for self defense and sporting purposes (IPSC shotgun).”
Thanks to world.guns.ru for letting me use their information in my reviews.
Appearance/Feel/Build Quality
The gun looks very good, and feels quite solid, although it’s a bit glossier than I’d prefer. It is primarily constructed out of ABS plastic, but still has a nice heft to it, which suggests that it might be weighted. This particular model is the pistol grip version, and the grip itself is textured for a better grip, and has toned down seamlines and a nice smooth finish that feels more rubbery than the rest of the gun.
Another thing that you’ll notice is that there’s a sling mount on the left side of the receiver, suitable for right-handed people. As I’m a lefty, I had hoped that I would be able to swap it to the other side, but it turns out that although you can unscrew it, the axle that it’s mounted on is molded into the receiver. Still, it doesn’t squeak, and is pretty solid, so you’ll be able to sling this gun.
It’s also got a safety switch button built in behind the trigger, which works the same as the DE M87/UTG Everblast shotguns. You just push it one way for fire, and the other way for safe.
The receiver is blank except for a safety warning, and is glossy black plastic. I’ll probably do a spray epoxy hardening mod and repaint it. One thing that you may find troublesome is that it lacks the fake ejection port and bolt that ought to be present (and would allow the shells to be ejected when you use the gun).
To load the gun, you first have to press backwards on a small latch on the right side of the trigger guard. This opens the shell door, allowing you to put in a shell. Each shell is good for 10 shots of 3 bb’s apiece. The shell door is metal, which is very nice, since it’s the part I was most worried about, and is spring loaded, so that it snaps open when the latch is released. Shells feed in smoothly, and this gun works flawlessly with TM shotgun shells as well.
  
The outer barrel is made out of plastic, but feels pretty sturdy, and again, the seamlines are present, but subdued. And, if you want to be able to open a shotgun, you pretty much have to put up with seamlines. All in all, it’s pretty solidly built. The pump handle is tinted more grey than black, and feels pretty sturdy. It has two screws in the bottom if you want to remove it. There’s also a sling mount on the front of the shotgun.
Finally, this shotgun also comes with sights. Both front and rear sights are painted white for easy target acquisition. The sights work pretty well for close range shooting, and, since it’s a shotgun, that’s pretty much all you need.
Internals
The internals of this gun seem to be pretty much the same as the earlier shotgun in terms of the plastic sears, and basic design, although it has three pistons, a tri-nozzle, and three inner barrels. The inner barrels are aluminum, non-crowned, and fairly wide, but they’re stabilized at both ends, and work reasonably well, especially in CQB, which is where you’re probably going to be using the shotgun.
I was unable to find an adjustable hopup mechanism, unfortunately, but I don’t think that seriously detracts from its utility, since, as I said, it’s probably for close range combat, and hopup is only necessary if you want to engage past 100 feet or so. That’s not terribly possible with this gun, unfortunately.
The gun is also capable of slam-firing (if you hold down the trigger and pump it, it will fire each time the pump handle returns to the forward position), but I do not recommend that you take advantage of this feature, as the plastic sears are likely to break if you do this too much. Still, the internals are sturdy, and I don’t see this gun lemoning very quickly. I’ve already fired over 1000 shots through mine (3000 bbs), and it’s still in perfect condition. It will fit most any barrel provided you turn them around and cut the appropriate grooves into them, and I suspect the DBC barrels for the earlier Everblast shotguns will fit as well.
Function
I doubt people are still reading these sections, and if you don’t know how to use a shotgun, you’re in trouble. But, for the sake of consistency, here’s how it works. First, pull that latch by the trigger back to open the shell door. Insert shell with the brass-looking part back, and the bb part front. Then close the door. You can cock the gun by racking the pump handle back, although be careful to make sure that it’s fully cocked and you’ve heard the click. Otherwise you risk damaging the nozzles (this is true of all multi-shot shotguns). Remove the safety by pushing the button behind the trigger, aim, and let fly!
Performance
The performance of this gun is very good within 100 feet. It’s pretty inaccurate past 100 feet, however. But, how does it perform within shotgun ranges? It chronos in at about 290 fps on average (per bb) with .2’s, and that means that it’s going to pack a serious punch, since it’s shooting 3 bb’s that are all traveling close to 300 fps. That’s going to sting from close range. As for accuracy, I shot two sets of groupings from 50 feet, using .2’s (circled in orange) and .25’s (circled in black). The .25’s performed the best in mine. Results seem to vary from gun to gun, however, and as this is a pistol grip, at least some of the inaccuracy is due to shooter error. Here’s a picture of the Q-target with the groupings circled on it.
Accessories & Modications
I don’t see a whole lot of accessories being possible, as it has no rails for mounting anything, although since it’s a clone of the TM, it is mostly compatible with TM aftermarket accessories. It could really use a shotgun shell holder to hold the spare shells that you’re sure to buy. UTG sells spare shells for around 20-25 per pack. The only real internal upgrade that I see being possible is adding DBC barrels. I can’t find my measuring tape, but the barrels are between 250 and 300 mm long.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Shoots 3 bb’s per shot
Durable construction
Shell fed mechanism for extra realism
Portable and maneuverable
Cheapest multi-shot shotgun on the market
Nice sights
Shells feed well
TM compatible
Good stock performance
Cons
Somewhat difficult to cock
Plastic construction
Aluminum barrels instead of brass or steel
No trademarks
Shells are different colors
Not effective for long range (why would you use a shotty for long range?)
No bolt or ejection port
Ordering
The UTG M3S shotgun is available from most UTG approved resellers. I have seen it so far at www.airsplat.com and www.airsoftgi.com, although it’s probably available elsewhere as well. A list of UTG resellers is available here: http://leapers.com/pages/others/distributor.htm. The gun costs around 70 dollars for the full stock version, and 60 USD or so for the pistol grip version. And, as a side benefit, you get the UTG warranty and superb customer service if you encounter any issues.
The Final Word
Overall, I have to say I’m very impressed with this shotgun, and it’s probably going to be my main shotgun, although I prefer full stock models. The multi-shot feature, affordability, TM compatibility, use of shells for magazines, and just sheer amount of fun involved in firing this gun, all combine to make this perhaps the choice for a budget shotgun (and it’s even competitive with the TM shotguns in terms of performance). I’d love to see a full metal version, but it’s certainly a great investment. I hope UTG releases versions with built-in tac-lights and RIS as well, and also provides single-color packs of spare shells. Other than that, I definitely recommend the UTG M3 for anyone looking for a new shotgun.
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Average rounds per kill with the M16 in Vietnam=50,000. Snipers averaged 1.3 rounds. The cost difference was $2300 v. 27 cents.
The ASGAR Project: http://groups.google.com/group/asgar?hl=en
Armory:
Too large to list.
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comrade5
Registered: July 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 482
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Review Date: 16/6/08
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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solid build, shoots 3 at a time
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Cons:
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all plastic
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Note-I got this version with the full stock and it is an excellent weapon.
In the box you recieve the gun, a sling that is alright (but if you are going to be running and moving with this shotty on your back I would get a better sling), two 30rd shells, a speed loader, and some manuals. Not bad for $70USD. I also purchased the 6 extra shells for another $15USD.
I immediately removed the shotgun from the box and gave it a good look over. It is made of all plastic, but it is sturdy plastic, ABS, and nothing wobbles. The pistol grip, the pump, and if you get the full stock version like myself, has a rubber on it. The pump is difficult to pump but has a realistic click sound to it when you do pump it. Loading is easy and fast, which is a plus when under fire.
Each shell holds 30rds which means you have 10 trigger pulls per shell due to the 3 barrels. I shot .2 gram BBs in her and she shot hard. The range is decent for a spring shotgun.
Overall, I would highly recomend this shotty. Whether you want a CQB weapon, a good spring gun, or a side-arm this is a good choice. I have used her many times and I am very pleased with this gun. UTG has really imporoved there products and this shotgun is an excellent example.
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Registered: October 2006
Location: Boulder, CO, USA