Best Semi-Auto shotgun on the market?

[fishing4fun]

I'm going to start looking for a new semi auto shotgun. I'm an 870 guy. I've had mine since I was 12 (31 now) and now I would like to try a semi auto. I like the feel of the Berretas, but am not opposed to getting anything else. I'd like to here some critiques on all the shotguns. What is everyones oppinions. Good or Bad.

Thanks

[huntnfish]

I started out the same way as you. I used my 870 for about 10 years before I wanted to try something new. I looked at a lot of guns and the only two that I was interested in were the Benelli SBE and the Winchester SX2. I ended up going with the X2 in a 3 inch version because I really didn't think I needed to shoot 3 1/2's. I have had it for about 6 years and I can't even imagine shooting another gun. It is by far the smoothest and best shooting gun I have ever shot. I have thousands of rounds through it and only a few jams, but those were mostly with light loads and at times where I didn't clean the gun real well. Semi-auto's aren't like your old 870 where you don't have to clean it very often. A semi-auto needs to be cleaned very regularly for it to funtion properly. Good luck with your choice. Once you get used to an auto, it is tough to go back to a pump.

[mtwalleye]

I would also recommend the Winchester SX2. Very reliable gun. I shoot the 3 1/2" model for trap, sporting clays, and ducks/geese. No problems.

[sweept]

If you are 870 guys why not try the 1187. I used to shoot the 870 and switched to the 1187 about 8 years ago, absolutely love it and have had no problems. It just takes an occasional cleaning.

Our South Dakota Hunting Grooup consisits of 5 Guys, 3 1187's and 2 Browning Golds and those two Browing boys are always struggling with Jambs.

[picksbigwagon]

My buddy has a benelli montifeltro, I would buy one of those, no question. Franchi and stoeger use the same inertia system as benelli, but those monti's are awesome. light, quick to point, and cycle shells flawlessly.

[CodyDawg]

I shoot a Beretta 390 and it just went over 10,000 rounds without a jam. My pheasant hunting group consists of 5 Beretta autos and they never jam. To be honest about it, my old 870 jammed more than my Beretta. Although I am not a fan of Benellis, they are pretty good as well. I would take the various Beretta and Benelli's out on a test drive and whichever one fits you best is the one for you. Dont be tempted by the cheaper ones, unless you are happy with a jam every hundred rounds or so.

[Guest]

I'd steer clear of the Browning Gold hunters.

I've had alot of problems with mine.

[Kodiak]

cause the 1187 wieghs 25lbs! go SBE or just keep your 870

Franchi Varimax 912 -biggest mistake in my life, it is a gas gun, it has some similarites to the benilli but steer clear of that gun.

Benelli SBE - best gun i have ever had or ever will have!! cannot be recommended enough.

Stoeger M-2000 - just got it with the slug barrel/bird barrel combo, to be a deer gun and backup gun if ever needed. Shot about 200 rounds through this gun and jammed once, not a bad gun at all would recommend is very similar to benelli recoil system.

get one with 3.5" chamber that is all i shoot on ducks and geese.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Hey Fishin!!!

Take Kodiak and my advice and buy a mans gun, Benelli SBE II…

“Benelli SBE - best gun i have ever had or ever will have!! cannot be recommended enough.”

I second, third and fourth that!!!

Just make sure you get one that will fire the 3-1/2” in rapid-fire semi-auto matter.

The one thing I cannot stess enough though is make sure when you shoulder it that it fits you.

When you pull up a long gun on a bird you want to make sure you do not have to take the time to re-adjust then pull the trigger.

If you want to try one out, I could maybe set you up to try a SBE for a weekend. (But it might cost you, what do you have in the "Fish Freezer")

[KidWalleye]

I too would like to get into a new semi. Does anyone know where you can test shoot guns before buying them?

[PierBridge]

Berreta 390/391.........

[paceman]

I have been shooting a Bennelli M-1 super 90 for 8-9 years and it has never jammed ever, I have used it for geese, ducks, pheasants. I have hunted hard in every condition and it has never failed. The best gun I have ever owned.

[fishing4fun]

SD Angler,

I only have some rainbow trout in the freezer right now. And actually I really like the way the Benelli Montifeltro fits right now. I've been out to Kjergaards alot lately pricing and shouldering alot of guns. Actually I'm going to demo a couple used guns tonight at the trap range. Tuesdays are our night to shoot trap. I've only shot once this year. But shot a 23 none the less with my old trusty 870.

When are you coming down? Ducks opens this weekend, but I think I'm going to spend time chasing some walleyes. Like I said I don't have any in the freezer either.

[The Yeti]

Benelli. Hands down...

[get-the-net]

I have to agree with the Yeti. If you want one semi-auto that can handle everything, go with a SBE. No jams, it swings well, and with a slug barrel I also use it for deer hunting. It has placated my shotgun buying urge for over 7 years now.

[lawdog]

[Note from admin: Cool it with the attacks Lawdog!!]

[CodyDawg]

I wish I had a quarter for every time I have seen a SBE jam on the sporting clays course. I could take ya'all out for lunch.

[Rost]

What's up Aaron! Everyone has their opinion on this one. You've definately opened a can of worms .

I love my Benelli M1. You'll have to cash in your 401k to buy one, but you'll love it! I bought mine when they were still cheap in 1996 for $815 (college loan $$ ).

I'd just go and ask Steve K. He'll shoot you straight about what guns are good and bad.

Good luck this weekend!

[fishing4fun]

Hey Corey,

Email me so I have your address again. My computer crashed a couple days ago and I lost everyones. Ya I've been Kjergaards about a dozen times now. I think I'm going to go with a Beneli Montifeltro. It fits really nice!

Later

[Rost]

You've got mail..

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Geez!!!!

Justfishin…

I was just funin ya!!! You don’t have to go an insult me with that “Trout Talk” Watsss-up wit dat???

Hey give me a call let me know what is happening down there.

We both know no matter how much money we put into a Scatter Gun, on the range our 870’s will still perform as they did 20+ years ago. Even if you shoot a backwards version!!!!!!!! JJJJ

But the field is a different story. (What is happing next weekend??)

What is the Pheszzy population this year is it worth coming down???

If you want to shoot my SBE II for a couple weeks let me know. (But you will OWE ME Buddy) when do you guys draw the line for coming this way for fishing open water??

After harvest is pretty much compete???

You know who…

By the way who the he!! Is Rost???

[randallt]

Benelli SBE

[fishing4fun]

SD Angler

I don't know when we'll be able to get up there. TJ and I talked yesterday about it. Maybe right after harvest gets over. I there are some real big muskies being caught right now. We just have to find time.

The Pheasant pop is as plentiful as I have ever seen it. Should be a good year. Went out yesterday and shot some flying carp. I took Koda my new black lab. She did great. Made 2 retrieves, one in the cattails and one in the water. I was very impressed

OK about these shotguns. I'm still not sold on an auto. My 870 is bulletproof. I very rarely miss with it!! SD angler can admit to that. So why should I want to go to an auto. I know I want one, and I still don't know why. I think it's just the joy of buying another firearm.

Rost is a freind of mine from Ivanhoe, who moved to Maidison S.D.

What's up Rost. Kill anything this weekend? I shot 3 Mallards. I was fun finaly getting out.

[Kodiak]

Lawdog don't be jealous, you know benellis are the stuff! Codydawg, what are you buying us for lunch? a pack of 25cent juicy fruit??? benelli's don't jam. Let me guess you guys use the 1187's is that the model or how much they weigh?

[83walleye]

Benelli and Beretta are pretty much the ticket these days. Benelli extremely reliable, but a bit more recoil. Beretta also pretty reliable, but with much less recoil. Benelli is an inertia(recoil)-operated action, and Beretta is gas-operated. Both balance well, shoot easily, come in wood and synthetic, and shoot 2 3/4", 3", and there is a 3 1/2" model in each. Benelli's a bit more expensive, maybe $900 vs $750 Beretta.

[stork225]

If you're talking about the SBE and Xtrema models everywhere I've been they are both between $1000-$1200. A new SBE for $900??? Sign me up!