Best Semi Auto Shotgun

[YourBobersDown]

I am looking to buy a Semi Auto Shotgun. I am looking for reliability and the lease amount of kick. ( 3 broken vertebrae) I thought my Shotgun days were over until I shot my grandfathers 12 gauge this weekend. It was made in 1912 and was one of the first semi auto 12g guns so I am not sure I will find another. I am looking to spend around $1000.00 or so.

I wanted input on what you guys think would be my best choices for duck, goose, grouse, and Pheasant. If possible I would like something I could easily put a slug barrel on for deer hunting as well. (that will be purchased later, not included in $1000.00) so let me know what you all think is the best way to go.

[dan z]

your going to get replies like the only good gun is the one that fits.... every gun fits different you could spend 3,000 on a casear guerini(sp) and shoot like He%% or buy a remington 11-87 and shoot awesome. If it were me buying a semi I would shoulder everything made by benelli SBE SBE2 M2 montefeltro(sp) legacy.... the are many to choose from good luck on your purchase...

[brittman]

Beretta autos operate flawlessly also. I own the 391, but the Xtrema is built similar. They are gas operated and should have a little less lick than inertia driven Benellis. I have shot the gun in temps down to -5 F and it did fine.

Waterfowl hunting? I would go synthetic stock and forend.

IMO: Browning has struggled with autos since they moved away from the A-5. My Rem 1100 was my go to gun but I wore it out. It always struggled though with dakota dust and sub freezing temps.

[YourBobersDown]

Is there a place to go and shoot different guns near Forest Lake area, or do I need to become friends with a bunch of people to try out all the different style?

[buck 037]

Like Dan z said a gun that fits.( feels good), really rem. win. barreta, brown there all good i personally have rem and win. both really nice prefer the sx2 though, would say you should really look at the sx3(win)real sweet gun.

[BullFighter]

Another VOTE for Beretta

[Seabass77]

Chevy vs. Ford = Benelli vs. Beretta

[SledNeck]

I have a Browning Gold 3.5" that I bought in 99 and it still works fine today. I wouldnt say its the best, but I believe it has the best safety in the industry!

[koonie]

Slug barrel for benelli- good luck finding one and if you do you will also have to get a new forearm. Very expensive.

That said, plently of people shooting deer with their regular barrel.

[Fish&Fowl]

Benelli

[hhguide]

Remington

[srj]

I finally hung up the 870 this year and went to an autoloader. Shot my buds Brownings, Remingtons, Benellis and Berettas before buying. I don't need more than a 3" so it came down to a Benelli M2 or the Beretta Urika 2. I chose the Urika 2 in black synth. It has noticeably less recoil than the others, is very light and GM had it for $849 with a hard case, multiple chokes, etc. Also $200 in Beretta bucks--good for all the stuff in their e-catalog. I got a nice field case, another choke, some other stuff.

I liked the raised rib on the M2 over the Urikas flatter rib but adjusted after shooting a bit. No problems, pretty simple take down. Good gun.

[fishhawk1750]

beretta urika 2, great deals at fleet farm

[paul pachowicz]

I've been just poking around lookin at gun prices lately. Believe me, I am sticker shocked. Not only shotguns but rifles as well. Now, after reading these posts about prices makes me be aprreciative of my old Berreta A-L2 that I bought in 1989 from a guy for 125.00 that was "in need of money". I have no idea how these guns makers got so proud of thier products 'specially after seeing and hearing about the quality or lack thereof.

[HugoBox]

If recoil is a big concern gas is a good choice. That said, unless you're trap shooting or plan on running through 50 rounds a day I don't think the recoil on any of them is too bad unless you bump up to the 3.5 inch loads. I've got a Browning Gold that came out the first year they were made and its operated flawlessly. Not sure about the comment above about Browning struggling since they quit with A-5's?? That said, I really dig the Beretta Xtrema.

Its still really Chevy/Ford. I live fairly close to Forest Lake and would be happy to let you put a few rounds through my gun if for nothing else than to give you a feel for one of the guns.

[duckhunter889900]

Beretta Xtrema all the way

[CodyDawg]

I believe the Xtrema is out of his price range. But the Beretta 391 Urika is in it. I would highly recommend it. I know of 9 Beretta owners (390s and 391s) and every one of them are thrilled with them. Perfect reliability. Perfect.

Shoulder a few and note which ones come with shims for the stock to change it in case they dont fit you perfect. The Beretta does I think.

[dogs]

I am dissapointed in my Berretta 391, I like to indulge myself with a new shotgun once and awhile. But have had this 391 for @10 years and I treat things very poorly(but its my money) I can't find a reason buy another shot gun it to dependable. As far as getting gun that "feels good" get a good gun and have it fitted.

[Bigslugger]

I love my Browning Gold Fusion. Wouldn't trade it for the world. It doesn't take 3 1/2" shells but still kills ducks and geese with 3". Also a very nice trap gun. The gas piston makes it easy on the shoulder. It is also very light, that is also a plus.

Now that Browning bought out Winchester (or the other way around) the SX3 is the exact same gun as the Fusion butt only with the 3 1/2" chamber. My neighbor bought one of these and it is also a very nice gun also

I also 2nd SledNeck on the safety on the Gold line. It is very nice and I mean very. Easy to locate and turn off and on with thick gloves on

Both of these guns are top of the line with a reasonable price range unlike the SBE2 and Xterema 2

[ac777]

BENELLI

[mrfish1991]

i have a benelli montefeltro...its a sweet trap/skeet gun

hasnt had much use in the field for me...but my grandpa used it while he was alive and he loved it

[2thepointsetters]

BENELLI

WHAT HE SAID

[WaveWacker]

I love my Benelli Sup. Black Eagle. If there isn't a need for 3.5" you could go with the M1. Easy to take apart and clean. Not that others aren't good. Mom has a Bronwing Gold. Probably does shoot a little "softer" then the Benelli as it is gas operated instead of the Benelli inertia system. I could shoot 3" slugs out of that Bronwing all day long when I use to dread shooting them out of my 870 (not a semi-auto gun). I have never shot slugs out of my Benelli to compare to the Browning however.

[WalleyesWest]

I would stay away from the Benelli unless all you wanted to do was shoot 2 3/4 inch shells. I have always shot browning, my dad bought me one (gold hunter) for my 11th birthday 12 years ago and I just had my first problem with it this year. To say the least it is wore out. So I was in your boat this early fall and borrowed some guns shot them all Benelli, Beretta, SX3, and many others. I came up with the conclusion that I didn't need 3 1/2 incher. so I went with the fusion and couldn't be happer its light and pulls up pretty close to my old friend. I don't care what annyone says the Benelli's kick I am yong and shoot lots of shells every year they kick and Jam. yes Jam the owner's know what I am talking about but are too prod to admit it.

[berfish]

Get what fits and feels best. The SBEII fit and felt the best for me. I love the thing. I haven't had any problems with it and know a lot of others who haven't had any issues either. I have a couple buddies that coyote hunt when it is well below zero and they have had no problems with cold or anything else. My other hunting buddies have the Beretta Extrema and Extrema2. Both are great guns and I have never seen anything go wrong with those either. They cycled a little slow when it was cold out...probably from too much lube though. It was a toss up when I bought my SBEII between the SBEII and the Extrema 2. I went with the SBEII because it just felt like a perfect fit.