opinions on semi auto shotguns?

[avenger79]

I was looking for opinions on semi-auto shotguns. Looking for a good hunting gun with excellent reliability, great finish, long lasting finish, fair pricing.
Used to have a Browning auto and loved it. Sold it because it was too pretty to take hunting.
Looking for synthetic stock and camo finish, going to use for pheasant, duck, and turkey.

So far I looked at Franchi Affinity, Beretta A400, and was thinking Remington Versamax and Benelli(?) and Browning Silver

opinions?
Pricing I was thinking 800-1500

I did consider a Browning BPS pump but not sure if I can get it in camo

 

[agallant80]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I have a Stoeger semi which is just a Benelli with plastic parts insteas of steel in some places (triggar guard etc). The gun is great. It has been dropped, wet, a few thousand rounds of ammo shooting trap have been through it, I have used it as a walking stick in the mud. The abuse list goes on and on. I was going to upgrade it with a Winchester SX3 but I decided the old girl has done me well and I don't care if she gets a ding or dent in her.

With that said she needs a cleaning every 250-350 rounds or else she will have a misfeed.

Keep in mind I shoot a lot of trap so I am using the cheapest shells I can find on her.

 

[avenger79]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

good point, hadn't really considered Stoeger. I do have their o/u and like it quite well.

 

[gm280]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I hear Benelli's are very good reliable guns. But seriously, most any quality manufactured semi-auto gun will last for years and years with proper reasonable care. I use an old SKB XL900 semi-auto which are no longer made and it looks and works like new still. So pick one and use it and keep it maintained and cleaned and enjoy... The 2nd amendment IS the binding post for America's freedom!

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

Not to disagree w gm 280 on his Benellis thoughts... But... I have both a Benelli Super black Eagle and a M 90. I have had jamming issues on both. And its the same type of jam. The first shot goes off fine, but the spent shell doesn't get ejected all the way and when the bolt comes forward the spent shell is sticking out of the side of the gun. Its a quick easy fix,but I have not been able to get a follow up shot when needed. Its happened with trap loads all the way up to goose loads, with both guns, both well taken care of and clean.
I would personally go with a recoil operated semi over a gas operated. I have both and cleaning a gas operated is far more labor intensive as all that spent gas and powder operates a piston in a chamber leaving much residue. At least on my guns. A few thoughts for you....Paul

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I am eyeing a new Browning A-5. The new generation.

I've always been an A-5 fan. The older ones, of which I have two, are great guns but you have to maintain them.

The new version can handle heavier loads and seems to have overcome the older issues.

A little Browning Story.

My father actually wore out an A-5 hunting. You name it: Ducks/Geese/Pheasants/Doves/Grouse/Turkeys and Deer (slugs). He never pointed the gun at a clay bird. Everything was shot and loose. The gun should have been retired.

On a whim, he then wrote a letter to Browning and described the situation and asked them if they could rebuild it. He loved the gun.

They sent a letter back and had him take it to a gun dealer that could ship it to them. They said they would see what they could do. He did and off it went.

About three months later, he got a call from the gun dealer that asked him to come down. The dealer and a Browning Rep. gave him his completely re-furbished A-5 back-COMPLETELY Re-Furbished. No charge! Same serial #.

As Dad has passed, that gun is now mine. Before he passed, he and I put one box of shells through it. That's it.

I AM a Browning fan-forever.

 

[gm280]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

Not to disagree w gm 280 on his Benellis thoughts... But... I have both a Benelli Super black Eagle and a M 90. I have had jamming issues on both. And its the same type of jam. The first shot goes off fine, but the spent shell doesn't get ejected all the way and when the bolt comes forward the spent shell is sticking out of the side of the gun. Its a quick easy fix,but I have not been able to get a follow up shot when needed. Its happened with trap loads all the way up to goose loads, with both guns, both well taken care of and clean.
I would personally go with a recoil operated semi over a gas operated. I have both and cleaning a gas operated is far more labor intensive as all that spent gas and powder operates a piston in a chamber leaving much residue. At least on my guns. A few thoughts for you....Paul

I appreciate what your saying, but gas operated guns will always have more cleaning issue then any recoil operated gun. That's a given. But my main point was you seriously can't go wrong with any quality semi-auto loader if you take care of them. We all always look for the "best" of most anything (best O/B, best oil, best resin etc.), but in reality it comes down to opinions most of the time. I've next owned a Benelli gun before but they are listed as some of the best on so many websites. I've used Mossberg, Remington, SKB, Winchester, and the list goes on and on... And honestly, I've never had much of any problem with any of them. I even shot trap for a hobby for a while too using the SKB XL900.

 

[agallant80]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I appreciate what your saying, but gas operated guns will always have more cleaning issue then any recoil operated gun. That's a given. But my main point was you seriously can't go wrong with any quality semi-auto loader if you take care of them. We all always look for the "best" of most anything (best O/B, best oil, best resin etc.), but in reality it comes down to opinions most of the time. I've next owned a Benelli gun before but they are listed as some of the best on so many websites. I've used Mossberg, Remington, SKB, Winchester, and the list goes on and on... And honestly, I've never had much of any problem with any of them. I even shot trap for a hobby for a while too using the SKB XL900.

+1 pretty much anything you buy will work. Its more a matter of how nice you want it to be.

 

[avenger79]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

+1 pretty much anything you buy will work. Its more a matter of how nice you want it to be.

LOL

I tend to agree with this as well, but now an than there is a stinker in the bunch you should watch out for.
Case in point, I recently bought a Springfield XD s. Nice gun, except it has been at the Springfield shop for about 3 months now having recall work done. Hope to see it again some day. LOL

 

[southkogs]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I've shot the Benelli and really liked it. I have a Remington Wingmaster (older one) and it's a nice shooting gun, but a little heavy. Ultimately, I still like my pump action Mossberg.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I'm going to always go for "old school". Beautiful firearms with nice wood stocks.

Otherwise, you tend to play into the "anti"s that site your firearm as extreme.

Even "anti's", that I know, appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of an old school, fully functional, firearm. IME.

IMHO, it's hard to justify a firearm, to an "anti", that looks like it belongs to RoboCop.

"Classics" are much easier to explain.

 

[Volphin]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I'm partial to the Mossy and the Beretta.

Too bad about that XD... but I stick with the traditional 1911A1. Both my SAs eat whatever I feed them.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

Too bad about that XD... but I stick with the traditional 1911A1. Both my SAs eat whatever I feed them.[/QUOTE]

Amen to the 1911 A1. Classic!

Everyone knows what that looks like. It's the International symbol for: Pistol.

 

[avenger79]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I'm going to always go for "old school". Beautiful firearms with nice wood stocks.

Otherwise, you tend to play into the "anti"s that site your firearm as extreme.

Even "anti's", that I know, appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of an old school, fully functional, firearm. IME.

IMHO, it's hard to justify a firearm, to an "anti", that looks like it belongs to RoboCop.

"Classics" are much easier to explain.

Fleet - I to love my wood and blued classics. Have a few, this time would like the camo version. not the "murdered out" all black swat team style. Funny I picked up an issue of Shotgun news last night to brush up on the new stuff. the entire magazine was filled with AK's, AR's and handguns.

as to the 1911 I love mine to.

The XD is very compact so nice. but it does torque a bit if you shoot a whole box through it. leaves a blister on the trigger finger after 50-100.

 

[avenger79]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

I did see on Browning's site they do have a BPS in camo. hmm could be a nice choice.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

Fleet - I to love my wood and blued classics. Have a few, this time would like the camo version. not the "murdered out" all black swat team style. Funny I picked up an issue of Shotgun news last night to brush up on the new stuff. the entire magazine was filled with AK's, AR's and handguns.

as to the 1911 I love mine to.

The XD is very compact so nice. but it does torque a bit if you shoot a whole box through it. leaves a blister on the trigger finger after 50-100.

No isue with "camo" per say. That can ne added/removed.
,
I just find issues when firearms look more like machines than what most folks deem a "firearm". The anti's, and uninformed, can tell the difference between a classic and RoboCop. The latter sends them into apoplectic fits.

But hey, I turned 55 today, I'm a dinosaur.

 

[younggun]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

My uncle has a beretta outlander and loves it

 

[avenger79]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

My uncle has a beretta outlander and loves it

hmm haven't heard of that one. will look for it.

 

[avenger79]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

No isue with "camo" per say. That can ne added/removed.
,
I just find issues when firearms look more like machines than what most folks deem a "firearm". The anti's, and uninformed, can tell the difference between a classic and RoboCop. The latter sends them into apoplectic fits.

But hey, I turned 55 today, I'm a dinosaur.

just for entertainment go look at the latest issue if Shotgun News. The one shotgun in there had two barrels side by side, magazines for both all black, nothing but a ridiculous "home defense" option.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: opinions on semi auto shotguns?

Here you go Kel-Tec KSG
7+7+1=15 shells (if you go shorty's there is room for 25)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W638QRLqUyc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLDsgGgE5UM

The OD color is the first gun I've seen that looks better OD than black. imho
Yea, I know not semi, but boy is it fun to shoot. Yes it is heavy when loaded. lol