Best Semi Auto Shtguns

H

hacook

Inactive
I am looking for a new-to-me semi auto shotgun. I wanted to draw from everyones knowledge. Which one is the best.

Thanks,
Heather:D
 
There are 2 primary differences - some are gas operated ( Beretta, Browning, Remington, etc ) - some are inertia operated ( Benelli, etc ).

The gas operated guns - need more maintenance, shoot dirtier, have a fair amount of exhaust gases that tend to be in your face ...

The inertia guns - have a little more recoil, unless they mechanically deal with it somehow, shoot cleaner, no gas in your face...

Personally, I like the Benelli - my favorite is the Super Sport - carbon fibre stock, comfort tech recoil system in it - and in a 12ga I like the 30" barrel. I use it as my travel gun / and a one gun that does everything pretty well - vs a dedicated Skeet or Trap gun.

On the gas gun side - I would probably look at the Beretta 391.
 
Beretta 390, try and get one before the 3901 came out if you can. Mine shoots anything and does it well. Used market around $550.00 to $650.00 depending one the stock, chokes etc.

Beretta 390

Clint
 
Thank you for all your advice! I am going to use it for clay. I have not been able to try hunting yet.

Thanks
Heather
 
Another plus on a gun like the Benelli Super Sport is the weight - with the carbon fibre stock and a 30" barrel in 12ga it only weighs 7.2 lbs - which is almost 3/4 lb or so lighter than most of the gas guns.

I have a 12ga and a 20ga version - which is around 6.3 lbs and a 28" barrel so its even lighter ( same comfort tech stock in it, same carbon fibre ) - but they are guns I use a lot for new shooters - even my granddaughters that are now 13 and trying some shotgunning.

Not to be sexist - but there are guns made by Browning, Beretta etc that are made for young shooters or ladies - the grip area is a little smaller, the length of pull is shorter, barrels may be 26" instead of the traditional 28" .. etc / not everyone wants an 8 lb or 8 1/2 lb gun for clays or in the field ......
 
Thanks,
I wasn't sure if there were different guns for women. I am not super small, but I have run across guns that are too big for me. Maybe I should have added that to the question.

Thanks
Heather
 
Mossberg... But I am biased!
Actually they are a low dough gun and not the finest made...
But great for a spartan utilitarian like me.
My next shot gun will be one of their SA's.
Brent
 
You are going to get a lot of opinions on this one.

If money is not a first priority and if recoil is not a huge concern, then the Benelli is the best semi auto IMO. With the new Comfort Tech recoil system, recoil has been reduced from before. Probably not as good as they say, but definitely better than before. They are super easy to clean and run a long time.
 
I've owned a few shotguns in my time, and the one I liked the most was the Benelli M1 that I just sold. (Sucks to be me!)
 
Heather,

Best advice is to get to a range and shoot a bunch of clays preferably at a place that does it weekly. I am assuming you have already done this and decided that a semi-auto best suits your needs.

If there are a bunch of folks around then they have/are hopefully helping you. Ask to borrow guns. I know at the club I belong to folks are more than willing to allow you access to their gun. My brothers and I loan ours out all the time and have not turned someone down who as asked yet. Shoot as many as you can both 20 and 12ga. You will find the one that fits you best and feels right. Go with that one.

I have seen many shooters go to the Benelli Super Sport once my brother showed up with one. As others have pointed out it is highly reliable, comfortable and soft shooting. If you are sure that you are going to stick with the sport it would be a worthwhile investment as long as it fits. The Benelli would see most people through a lifetime of shooting.

Good luck in your search.
 
While BigJim is absolutely correct in his assessments - one thing to consider - an inertia gun, especially one that is light, will recoil SUBSTANTIALLY more with the same load over the gas gun.

HEAVY gun plus LIGHT target loads equal LIGHT recoil.

Hunting is usually a case of carry a lot, shoot a little........clays is usually a case of carry a little shoot a lot.

A decent target gun should be in excess of 8 to 8-1/2 pounds; a hunting gun in the same gauge should be over a pound lighter.
 
I agree with OneOunce ( especially in a gun for me ..) but I'm 6'5" and 290 lbs .....

I have a granddaughter ( who may be the best shooter of the bunch out of 10 grand kids )... very competitive, athletic ... but at 13, she is still very young ( lacks upper body strength ) ... and even though she's getting pretty tall at about 5'9" she still only weighs probably 90 lbs .... and while she really likes the O/U's she just can't handle a gun over 7 lbs right now - maybe 7 1/2 lbs

but to OneOunces point, on a light gun, keep the loads light - or they will flat out beat you up ...

Even on the 20ga Benelli Super Sport - the kids use ( and they like the cool all Black and silver look to it by the way ) / I start them with a 3/4 oz reload at 1200 fps in a 20ga - or I get them shooting my Browning O/U
28ga XS Skeet model - to get them into the game without beating them up...... and while I may choose to carry an 8 1/2 lb O/U in the field, hunting Quail or whatever all day ..... I'm tired at the end of the day. On a sporting clays course - I use a "Rugged Gear" push cart / carry the guns, shells, water, etc ...
 
Another vote for Benelli here. Have two Sport lls (12 & 20) and love them. If these were the last clay guns I had I'd be quite happy. :)
 
Beretta A391 if it's for hunting/clays

Mossberg 930SPX if it's for "special purpose".

I'd get the A391 the nod for special purpose too if they made a barrel shorter than 24" for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top