Budget semi-auto Gun!!

F

fattsgalore

New member
Whats a good budget semi-auto shotgun. Under $500 if it exist.
I'm not an old'fashion pump-action guy.
I like the idea of volume.
 
Have you heard of the Saiga? Detachable magazines.
I think they are going for around $500 now.
You can get 8- or 10-round mags for it, though they are extremely expensive (~$100 for one). On the other hand, is there another shotgun like it that takes such large detachable mags?
 
i would highly recommend a Remington SPR453 (Spartan 453, Baikal MP153). they can be found for less than $400 new, 4+1 capacity, built like a tank, come with 4 screw in chokes, and the capability to shoot 2 3/4", 3", and 3.5" shells. they also come with an adjustable gas system (something not found in alot of guns 2-3 times the cost) that allows you to shoot the lighest 2 3/4" target loads to the heaviest 3.5" magnum loads you can find. i have used mine extensively for skeet and sporting clays, and a few times for bird hunting, and i have no complaints whatsoever. i usually shoot with a friend who has a Remington 11-87, and mine always performs as well or better than his. he also gets jealous that i can shoot 1 oz. shells as well as 3.5" shells and he can't, yet he paid almost $200 more for his gun.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/SPR_models/SPR453_autoloader.asp

if you have any doubt about how well this gun is built, check out this video. (the video is of a baikal mp153, but the SPR453 is exact same gun with a few updated parts):

http://www.svmag.com/test_baikal.wmv

:cool:
 
So far I'm very pleased with my NEF "Excel Auto 5", which was $351 plus tax brand new (12 ga, front & rear FO sights, camo, 22" turkey gun). Comes with four chokes, including x-full, and a mag plug for upland game It's made in Turkey for NEF. Runs flawlessly, is lightweight, and handles 3.0" mags:

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/excell.aspx

Other models there too of course.

There is also an amazing deal on a shotgun at CDNN which I'm going to pick up.
 
Look for a Smith and Wesson 1000

I just got one for $250, and it eats all kinds of 12ga. They are around for even less if you look. Made by Howa in Japan. Quality stuff for that price.
Steve
 
I would be a little leary about a cheap auto shotgun. I have this terrible foreboding feeling about cheap semi-auto guns.
 
Would someone mind teaching me about the chokes, it's alien technology to me. (i'm never to proud to ask whats what)

I've looked into the Saiga12 not to long ago and i really like it. I personally like the simply hunting version not those tricky tactical ones. Magazine fed is really cool.
I like the Remington too.
 
chokes change how much the shot pattern spreads after it leaves the barrel.

from smallest pattern to largest: cylinder, light skeet, skeet, improved skeet, improved cylinder, light modified, modified, improved modified, light full, full, extra full, super full.

the Remington SPR-453 i mentioned above comes with improved cylinder, modified, full, and extra full chokes.
 
A used Beretta or Benelli should fit that category for you ( especially an older model ). Just find a clean one that's been well cared for and you'll still get a lot of use out of it. My first choice would be a Benelli / 2nd a Beretta / 3rd a Remington 1100 or similar series - but I'm not a big fan of the "gas guns" - they're a lot more trouble to keep clean.
 
Look for a good used shotgun. A browning gold can be found for around $500. Also a good 1100 or 1187 is around that price range. Stay away from new budget semis. They may shoot good for the first couple thousand rounds but they will soon show their true colors.
 
CZ and Stoeger both make semi-auto shotguns in that price range, I haven't had a chance to check any out at the gun shop but the stoeger looks like it uses the system that benneli uses.
 
I will add a word of caution about Charles Daly. They're an importer not a manufacturer and they've changed their source for their semiauto shotguns quite a bit over the last 10 yrs or so. Their quality and service has suffered as a result. They have a reputation for FTF problems (light primer strikes) I had one that did it once and afterwards never trusted it again. I got rid of it recently. One gun shop I took it to wouldn't even take it in trade, their rep is so bad that the gun shop no longer would carry them new much less used. The other offered me 275 for the gun (which retailed for about 500.00 new at WM), luckily I'd only paid 350.00 for mine when a local WM was closing out of their guns so I wasn't out much. The trade value should give you some indication of their quality.
 
I cant comment on prices in the USA, but Just keep a beady eye out for second hand guns. A good used browning or remington will give you far less problems than a el cheapo commie or turk gun. Dont forget, trap guns do hundreds of thousands of rounds, so stay away from a ex skeet or trap gun. unless you are sure its not heavily used. My 1100 has fired 25,000 + rds and is still going strong.
 
If you can come up with just a little more money CDNN has Remington 1100 Tacticals in OD green for $569

Is this a hunting or defense gun?
 
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