Description
The Iver Johnson 600 12 Gauge Over Under (maker part IJ600-12E) is a walnut-stocked field gun with 28 inch barrels, 3 inch chambers and true ejectors. It gives new break-action shooters a stacked-barrel shotgun with a full five-tube choke set at a price that leaves room in the budget for shells and range fees.
Iver Johnson 600 12 Gauge Over Under Overview
This is the ejector version of the Iver Johnson 600, built on a steel receiver finished in matte black chrome with engraving on the sides. A single trigger fires both barrels, and a barrel selector built into the tang safety lets you choose which tube fires first. Both barrels carry ventilated ribs, a brass bead sits at the muzzle, and the checkered walnut stock and forend are fitted with sling swivels and a recoil pad. 5 inch length of pull, it is a full-size field gun that suits most adult shooters out of the box.
Ejectors and the Break-Action Routine
Open the action after firing and the ejectors kick spent hulls clear of the chambers, while unfired shells are only lifted for easy removal. That speeds up reloading in a dove field or on a busy station. The trade-off is that empty hulls land on the ground behind you, so reloaders who want to save their hulls may prefer an extractor gun or the habit of cupping a hand over the breech. Ejector springs should be kept clean and lightly oiled, and a few dry cycles with snap caps help you learn the timing before the first hunt.
Choke Tubes and Pattern Options
The 600 ships with five internally threaded flush tubes. Iver Johnson lists Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder and Skeet, while one distributor record lists a Cylinder tube in place of Skeet, so check the box contents when it arrives. The tubes follow the common Mobil thread pattern, which makes aftermarket extended or ported tubes easy to find. Use open tubes for close targets and tighter tubes for longer shots, and avoid running steel shot through a Full tube unless the tube is marked as steel rated.
In the Field and on the Clays Course
A 28 inch over/under is a classic all-round length. It swings smoothly enough for crossing doves and flushing pheasants, and it carries enough weight forward to stay steady on a round of sporting clays or casual skeet. The 3 inch chambers accept magnum field loads for late-season roosters, but heavy loads in a 7.3 pound gun do recoil noticeably, so most shooters will spend the bulk of their time with standard 2-3/4 inch target and upland shells.
Value Versus Premium Over Unders
Be realistic about what this price buys. The Iver Johnson 600 offers features usually seen on more expensive guns, yet wood-to-metal fit, engraving depth and long-term resale value will not match an Italian or Japanese over/under that costs several times as much. Budget break-actions can also feel stiff at first; hinge pins and locking surfaces loosen up with use and a little grease. For a hunter who shoots a few boxes a season, or a newer shooter trying the stacked-barrel format, that compromise is easy to accept.
Care and Maintenance
After each outing, wipe the bores and chambers, clean the ejector extractors, and lightly grease the hinge and the forend iron. Remove the choke tubes regularly, clean the threads and apply choke lube so they do not seize. The matte black chrome resists rust better than plain bluing, but the walnut still needs a wipe-down after rain. Store the gun broken down or with the action closed on snap caps, and never store it loaded.
State Laws and Ownership
Over/under shotguns are legal to own in every state, but hunting regulations still vary. Check your state game department for legal shot types, shell limits and blaze-orange rules before the season opens. Pennsylvania buyers complete the PICS background check at the transferring dealer, and some states add their own waiting periods or purchase permits for long guns. Your receiving FFL can confirm what applies where you live.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Iver Johnson Arms
- Model: 600 Over/Under with ejectors (IJ600-12E)
- UPC: 740120787619
- Gauge: 12
- Chambers: 3 inch
- Barrels: 28 inch with vent ribs on top and between barrels
- Sight: brass front bead
- Trigger: single trigger with barrel selector on the safety
- Extraction: automatic ejectors
- Receiver: engraved matte black chrome steel
- Stock and forend: checkered walnut, recoil pad, sling swivels
- Choke tubes: 5 Mobil-pattern flush tubes
- Length of pull: 14.5 inches
- Overall length: 45.25 inches
- Weight: about 7 lb 5 oz (maker spec)
Before You Buy
Federal law requires long-gun buyers to be 18 or older, and this shotgun must ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer with a background check. Heavy 3 inch loads produce sharp recoil in a gun of this weight. Steel shot should only go through tubes rated for it, and the choke set contents should be checked on arrival.
Who It Is For
The Iver Johnson 600 12 Gauge Over Under is a great fit for upland and dove hunters, newer clay shooters stepping into an over/under, and anyone who wants ejectors and five chokes on a modest budget.
Buy the Iver Johnson 600 12 Gauge Over Under at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Iver Johnson 600 12 Gauge Over Under online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more shotguns. For factory details, visit Iver Johnson Arms.
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