Best semiauto shotgun...?

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:29 pm

I am at the crappiest part of the year financially, but did just hear from my Class-II dealer that the sales of my Striker shotguns were finalized, so after paying off the new roof and other debts, perhaps this autumn I will sell an AR-15 and get some 'gun-fund' money. One of the 'bucket-list' guns is a good semiauto 12-gauge, for mostly 'home-protection' but one I could take to a skeet shoot or duck hunting if need be. I'd NOT want one that was finniky about ammo.

I've always just used a pump (took the Striker-folder to a friend's house for a "skeet party" once, though...

), but was curious as to options with the semiautos.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:31 pm

Options are many in the semi auto dept but it would be hard to beat a benelli

Post by **Old Savage** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:39 pm

Rem 1100 or 11-87.

rogn · Post by **rogn** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:44 pm

Mossberg has the price market and the military and 3 gunners cant fault it. Not the most refined, but function is a consideration.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:17 pm

I really wanted the Benelli M-4 but couldn't justify the cost ( in my mid). The guy at the
shop showed me a Mossberg 930 and was really taken with it. Got home and researched the snot out of and went back the next day and bought it.

Love this thing and it's fed everything I've run through it, slugs, light target, 00, etc. About half the cost of the Benelli.

jb

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:59 pm

2ndovc, tell us more.
Could you make a valid, understandable recoil comparison to pumps?

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:18 pm

Mescalero wrote:2ndovc, tell us more.
Could you make a valid, understandable recoil comparison to pumps?

Kinda like a semi auto pistol over a revolver. With the bolt and spring absorbing some of the
recoil the gun is very controllable even during rapid fire. Growing up with pump guns ( Model 12s)
I really had to control the urge to pull back on the Mossberg!

Caught myself a couple times
saying to myself "Just pull the trigger idiot!"

It's been murder on the red squirrel population around my cabin. Stuffed full Winchester light trap loads I've
really thinned the destructive buggers out.

I've been wanting to try some of the Agulia Mini shells. It seems to feed them fine but I haven't
fired any of them yet. Just have to get used to the location of the safety. I'm used to it being on the trigger guard but I do like the location.

jb

86er · Post by **86er** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:32 pm

My Benelli always goes Bang,Bang, Bang with any ammo and with much abuse. The new Mossberg shotguns are made in Texas and have been doing well, getting the NYPD contract.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:33 pm

don't know what's best but turkey, our treasonous nato ally is making this one.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... +*CA+Aprvd

watch the video. the first batch sold out in about a week. it has what look to me like the right sights, similar to the mossy.

the stoeger is another one but lacks the good sights.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... Grip+Stock

I like the mossberg a lot, but can't find it for 400 bucks

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 4:30 pm

Having spent a little time at clay sports, and other times shooting shotguns with others, I have concluded that it's a matter of when, not if, an auto jams up. I believe this to be true about all other firearms, as well. This has not precluded me from owning them, just sayin'

The odds are heavily in favor of it working properly when you need it, but, Mr. Murphy is really an evil old bastage

I sure like this one. 870 TactiCool, goes out the door with 27 OO Buck (counting the two ammo wallets)

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:14 pm

You sure you want to keep that ratty old Remington?

jb

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:24 pm

I had the benelli M4 fully tricked out. I chose to sell it and I now have a NIGHTHAWK 870 fully tricked out with HYdrecoil absorbers with a collapsible stock, extended mag tube, night sights, and side saddle, green color, rubber for grip. I like the 870 platform and have just enjoyed going through a ton of ammo breaking this one in. The slicked up action and trigger makes this one a shooting machine.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:30 pm

2ndovc wrote:You sure you want to keep that ratty old Remington?

jb

Wanna Trade?

Actually, I wouldn't do it....the Ratty Remington is a pretty sturdy piece of equipment....

Panzercat · Post by **Panzercat** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:32 pm

Researched this topic at length back when I was looking to replace my Mossberg 500 and naturally stumbled across the 930. Every report I've seen is that you can feed it nearly anything light to heavy and it will burp it up without complaint.

That said, if I were really looking to budget- and I almost always am -I'd look at an H&R Excell Auto 5. This guy has a brief review of said shotties, their performance and mods. And it comes in at half the cost of its main competitors. Not to say you'll go wrong with a Mossberg, but their are alternatives and they don't cost $600+.

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 6:09 pm

Quite frankly I'm a SNOB when it comes to shotguns !

I like QUALITY side by sides and to a lesser degree over and unders .

I have however been known to own a few Remington 1100's over the years . As well as a Benelli Super Black Eagle .

So at the moment if I wanted a decent semi auto shotgun for lets say dove hunting I'd go with a nice old Remington 1100 12 gauge 2 3/4" with a 26" IC barrel or Rem Chokes . And if that couldn't be found I think I'd go with the relatively new Benelli DeVinci 12 gauge 3" .
Actually either of the ones mentioned in a 20 gauge would be nice also !

Marlin32 · Post by **Marlin32** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 6:16 pm

I'm a bit of a shotgun snob myself, Given parameters, I would go with a Browning Silver or new A-5 or Maxus. I am sure the Berettas are ok (safety is in the wrong spot) Benelli's I do not like, ugly, and I have handled them time and time again, and I just don't like them. I have tried to, but just can't do it.

Franchi I think has some decent semis,

Personally, I have a thing with Browning A-5's (the recoil old types) Love them.

But, not sure exactly what you are looking for.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:18 pm

Remington 1100 +1 (or is that 4??? )

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:23 pm

I've heard a lot of turkey hunters around here like a Benelli, the Super Nova I think. With the Benelli line does anyone know if they use the same basic receiver and just change options on it or if they are all together different?

I've always liked Remingtons, carried 870s and kept them around the house. I had an 1100 for a while but sold it when things got tight way back when. I've been thinking about another "gas pipe" as they call them, but now they say the 11-87 is a more refined version that is also more flexible. I'm not sure I ever had problems with my 1100 but somehow the 11-87 is better. I do recall in years past seeing an 1100 or 2 set up as tactical versions with an extended bolt handle and a few other things.

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:31 am

Mescalero wrote:2ndovc, tell us more.
Could you make a valid, understandable recoil comparison to pumps?

There are two basic systems...inertial (like the Benelli) and gas (like the Remington)...the gas ones are known to have lighter recoil than the inertial ones.

I don't have much experience with them but did a ton of research before I bought a used 11-87. Like any guns, they all have their fans and detractors. However, given everything I've read, you can't go wrong with any of the following:
Mossberg 930
Remington VersaMax, 1100, or 11-87
Benelli SBE, M1, M2 or M4
FN SLP
Winchester SuperX2

Here's a nice thread on converting an 11-87 to an HD shotgun.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtop ... 7&t=309034

I have three barrels with mine...26" VR for birding, 21" smooth bore with IC barrel and rifle sights for 3 Gun and an 18" open bore (cut-down VR 30" with FO front sight) for HD. I also use Dave's Metal Works accessories for extended mag tubes (10+1, 8+1), operating handle and Easyloader.

Many people do not recommend a semi for SD for a few reasons. As said earlier, all semis fail at some point. A pump is more reliable. Some semis won't fire reduced recoil ammo out of a short barrel (e.g., some Remingtons) because they only have one gas port and are intended for full loads. Likewise, some gas semis need to be braced against a shoulder to use the expelled gas efficiently...so no holding the shotgun out to the side or above your head to shoot around cover in a SD situation. However, inertial shotguns have problems when you start adding lights, lasers, side saddle, etc. to the gun, changing the mass and distribution.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:51 am

I've got a neighbor who loves his Saiga... It will make a mess in a hurry AND it has an evil 10rd magazine.

Otherwise, go with an AA12.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:43 am

I want that frag round, seen any on the shelves ??

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:27 pm

I forgot I've had a few of the Ithaca MAG-10 and Remington SP-10 10 gauge semi auto's !

Two of the Ithaca and one of the Remington's and they all did nicely on paper and were not that bad in the recoil department . If you want it for HOME DEFENSE they would be fine but with shorter barrels then I had on the Ithaca's both of those were 32" . the Remington was 26" with screw in's .

These things make excellent buckshot deer guns if one is inclined to carry them . But not of much use on the skeet field or dove field I am afraid . Well the Remington would be fine on skeet or dove with the IC choke . But the other two were FULL ONLY .

44-40 Willy · Post by **44-40 Willy** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 1:29 pm

I'm pretty happy with my old Remington 11-48.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 1:37 pm

Grizz wrote:I want that frag round, seen any on the shelves ??

Make your own.

Not hard. Especially in 12ga...

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 3:38 pm

ya but I liked those little flippin fins, that's above my pay grade.

and the remote detination is a little challenging.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 3:53 pm

Grizz wrote:ya but I liked those little flippin fins, that's above my pay grade.

and the remote detination is a little challenging.

Not for any kid who's ever been into model rockets...

Prox fuzes aren't really that hard to make any more...

44shooter · Post by **44shooter** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:06 pm

Not really a semi fan, but Benelli's are highly regarded. And they should be for what they cost. I do use my grandaddy's old Remington 58 on doves and clays. It has never jammed on me and I can shoot it pretty well. My 870 Express Turkey does double duty as a defense/varmint gun.

Panzercat · Post by **Panzercat** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:30 pm

44shooter wrote:Not really a semi fan, but Benelli's are highly regarded. And they should be for what they cost...

I'm thinkin' most people missed the part about his finances judging by the suggestions so far.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:55 pm

Panzercat wrote:
44shooter wrote:Not really a semi fan, but Benelli's are highly regarded. And they should be for what they cost...
I'm thinkin' most people missed the part about his finances judging by the suggestions so far.

That's why I said Saiga...

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:53 pm

I didn't know the Bennellis were recoil operated.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but don't the gas operated guns do a better job of reducing recoil?

44shooter · Post by **44shooter** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:02 pm

Rusty wrote:I didn't know the Bennellis were recoil operated.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but don't the gas operated guns do a better job of reducing recoil?

Benellis do use recoil to load but in a far different manner than the Browning system. They call it inertia driven. Yes, gas autos are softer on the shoulder.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:05 pm

Rusty wrote:I didn't know the Bennellis were recoil operated.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but don't the gas operated guns do a better job of reducing recoil?

Between 'recoil' and 'gas' operated, I'd assume that one would be more ammunition-tolerant than the other, and/or more reliable in general...is this the case...?

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:21 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:Otherwise, go with an AA12.

1. That is a cool shotgun (better than the Strikers I used to have).

2. It is hard to respect a gun company who will develop something that the AA12 for sale "only to police and military", given world history.

Seeing this part of the video was especially chilling...(ignore the initial advertisement):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... R7c#t=324s

Unfortunately the "urban theater" they are talking about may be when Obummers storm-troopers start coming door-to-door looking for unregistered 30-round magazines (OR if we last long enough to elect some drug-war-crazed Republican in four years, looking for unregistered bags of marijuana

).

Still. . . my first reaction (like with most guns) is . . . "I WANT one. . . !"

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:35 pm

AJMD429 wrote:
Rusty wrote:I didn't know the Bennellis were recoil operated.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but don't the gas operated guns do a better job of reducing recoil?
Between 'recoil' and 'gas' operated, I'd assume that one would be more ammunition-tolerant than the other, and/or more reliable in general...is this the case...?

AJ, I can only relay what I've read from researching a 3 Gun semi-auto shotgun. Frankly, all of the recommended shotguns seem to occasionally have problems -- even Benellis -- at some point. By the same token, hanging out on the boards at Shotgun World, I also see all of the people who swear by their rifles...regardless of the ammo they use, e.g., Remingtons shooting 1/2 oz shot on up to full powerhouse loads. I've seen people complain about Benellis with "cheap" ammo, and I've seen people complain about Mossberg with any kind of ammo (check out this video and comments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOUUzGvHm1E). I've seen issues with Browning, FN and Winchester reliability, yet others say they are flawless.

I think any of the choices will serve for birding and HD (unless it's a long barrel), and each will have its own sweet spot. So, if one doesn't like a particular brand of ammo...don't buy it...simple solution. Keep the semis clean and in their sweet spot and you'll get years of use out of them. For example, the Remington receivers are rated for 250k-300k rounds!

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:42 pm

Ah heck Doc-------------you got enough guns for Home protection

Get one that is pure joy to shoot and everyone in your family will love it(on skeet or birds)
Find a nice 1980's-90's Rem LT 1100 Skeet in 20ga(that someone also mainly used it for self defense in the home.

(little use)

Feels about like one of your AR's when it goes (pop)or ok slightly a tad more.

And it gets the job done!(their purdy too)

BILLYDIXON · Post by **BILLYDIXON** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:51 pm

Ive been shooting a 1100 12ga skeet for about 25 years. Had a super 90 M1 in a gun shop on loan and put over 3000 rds thru it with out cleaning. Mainly skeet it even shot 7/8 ounce. Should of kept it. Had a really cool 870 that some moron dropped in the mud and fired it. Looked really cool and it was cheap. I cut it down to 18 1/2 and looked cool because it had a rib on it.
BD

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:29 am

AJMD429 wrote:
Old Ironsights wrote:Otherwise, go with an AA12.
1. That is a cool shotgun (better than the Strikers I used to have).

2. It is hard to respect a gun company who will develop something that the AA12 for sale "only to police and military", given world history.

Except that as a select-fire only weapon it is by default pretty much LE/.mil only.... regardless of what the mfg may or may not believe about RKBA or abusive government.

Seeing this part of the video was especially chilling...(ignore the initial advertisement):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... R7c#t=324s
Unfortunately the "urban theater" they are talking about may be when Obummers storm-troopers start coming door-to-door looking for unregistered 30-round magazines (OR if we last long enough to elect some drug-war-crazed Republican in four years, looking for unregistered bags of marijuana ).

Still. . . my first reaction (like with most guns) is . . . "I WANT one. . . !"

Yeah. Just remember, MOST of the cool guns wew initially developed for .gov use and only later became civilian mainstays...

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:40 am

anything in the beretta family, and remington..

took my special purpose 11-87 12ga remington out turkey hunting this past weekend
This thing has been under water and in all types of bad weather and still
works after 20+ years of hunting.....has taken deer, ducks and turkeys!

wm · Post by wm » Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:25 pm

The only semi auto shotgun that I have ever gotten along with was my Browning Auto 5 and a similar Remington 12 that I should never have let get away.

On the other hand my buddy swears by his Benelli. It works great for him and it is reliable for me but I can't hit a darn thing with it. It just does not fit me.

And theres the rub.......when shooting in the field, out of a duck boat, at moving targets, the only good shotgun is the one that fits you and shoulders smoothly and right on target without any fidgeting.

My advice is go to a local skeet or trap or sporting clays shoot and get to know some of the guys and try some different ones.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:24 pm

madman4570 wrote:Ah heck Doc-------------you got enough guns for Home protection
Get one that is pure joy to shoot and everyone in your family will love it (on skeet or birds).

You're right. If they make it past the Mossberg 8-shot pump gun and 10-shot 45 Colt levergun and 14-shot Para Ordnance 1911, then the AR-15 or 375 Ruger comes out of the closet, depending on if it's a hyped-up gang of drug-nuts, or a rogue elephant...

I've thought even about a Ruger Red Label since I loved one I shot a few years back, but also thought semiautos looked like fun on the skeet field and just in general. Pretty much been a pump-shotgun guy.

irl104 · Post by **irl104** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:25 pm

Remington 1100 I had two of them since 1974. I replaced a broken firing pin for 6.00 and never had any other issues. They still work perfectly and by the way, I bought them both used.