farm/home shotgun

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trespass

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I've had an old mossberg 500 pump around for years as my house shotgun..the old girl is about due for retirement. Looking at the benelli M2 (a semi auto) as my replacement. Any recommendations or concerns on use of a semi-auto or of this particular model? thanks.
 
As far as autos go, the benelli is very reliable. They do kick harder than most other autos.

Some people swear by the pump action and nothing else, but I find the benelli to be just fine for an all around shotgun...just a little pricey.
 
is this for home defence? do you trust semi-auto guns for that purpose? if it doesnt matter then the beneli is a good choice, a beretta would also be good.
 
home defense

yes, it would be the house defense gun...I was alittle dubious of going with semi-auto also, but have noticed the Marines, etc going to the autos, so maybe the concern is not warranted anymore? ....it's one reason I posted this to see if the semi was a poor choice or suitable.
 
most semi's need to be fired from the shouler or they wont cycle every time. also i hear that if you add extra weigh to the gun like lights and side sadles it will effect the reliability. to me this makes sence, please correct me if i am wrong.
 
Benelli make a gun (M3???) that can convert to a pump from a semi. Migth be a good choice for a gun that will sit behind the door most of the time.
 
I also have a Mossberg 500 due for retirement. I had and sold a Bennelli Super 90 SWAT Model. The only downside with the auto is it would only function with #4 shot and up. I don't know if over penetration is issue with you but I prefer shotguns that will fire all types of loads. Also one of the most imtimidating sounds is a pump being racked. I currently use a Stoeger Coach Gun for all my scattergun duties. Two separate triggers for two separate barrels, I doubt very much it will fail me. The Stoeger also has a very short overall legal length as it lacks a reciever, an important consideration when fighting indoors. Also very few people hang around after one blast from a 12GA. Remember Doc Holiday was the deciding factor at Tombstone and he used a doublebarrel. That being said I would get another pump.
 
Pump preference.

In choosing your next shotgun, keep a few things in mind.
Even though the technology involved with semi-auto shotguns has changed/improved dramatically in recent years, they do still require a little more maintenance than your average pump. If it will sit behind your door or a truck seat for a while (like mine does) you may consider sticking with a pump.
Another consideration is modification. Do you want an additional barrel? How about an extended magazine tube? Sidesaddle or other accessories? Due to the large amount of use pump guns get from LE and the HD market, these accessories are generally somewhat cheaper for pump guns. Also, they are slightly easier to install on pump guns.
A third consideration is size/weight. It has been my experience that my pump guns have generally been lighter than my autos.(I have had a couple of each). Also, the pump guns seem to be bit less bulky than the autos.

All that being said, my current and only shottie is a Mossberg 500. I have a 20" barrel and tube extension that rides on it for SD. I also keep a 24" barrel in the closet as it makes and excellent feild gun.
If you are dead set on a semi-auto, may I suggest the Benelli Nova and Super Black Eagle series. Both are designed to be feild guns, but I am sure that any good gunsmith can make any changes you like, including barrel length. They are also both a tad less expensive than Beretta's offerings, and just as much gun.
Good luck to you, whichever you choose.
 
The Benelli Nova is a pump...if you are considering a pump, I think that the Remington 870 Police is hard to beat.
 
Most semi's are gas or recoil operated with downsides to both. I would go with a Mossberg 500,Remington 870, or Winchester 1200. You can't go wrong with any of them. Pick a model that comes with a heat shield also.
 
I used a Benelli Pump a few years ago night shooting rabbits. My M1 Super 90 gummed up due to the really cruddy ammo we used. The bolt slid forward so slowly it took about 5 seconds to get into battery!

We were sponsered by Benelli on the trip, so I triued a new Nova. FANTASTIC PUMP> I really rate them, I think they are awesome guns. Smooth as silk, and handles well. I shot 4 rabbits in 4 seconds with it, which totally impressed the Benelli agent. Having siad that, I am not sure they have a short enough barrel for HD use, or slug and buckshot. I dont think you can get a 20 inch barrel for example, unless you chop one down.

Thus, when it comes to pump guns, you cannot beat a 870. I sold the M1 and got the 870- i had one for years before and traded it on the m1- and have never looked back.
 
Nova Special Purpose

Benelli make a Nova with an 18.5 inch barrel, ghost ring sights and a 2round extension. Its a pretty cool shotgun.
 
Only problem with the Nova is the 12-14pound trigger and the stock that is almost impossible to cut down. Actually I think I can correct these problems , but the loooong pump stroke for those 3.5" shells certainly ain't slick like a Wingmaster 870! :cool:
 
Mathman

Mathman is quite right, the Nova is indeed a pump.
I apologize for the oversight and confusion I might have caused.
 
If the Mossberg 500 filled the need for "years" as your house shotgun, why not replace it with the same thing?
You are already used to it and know how to handle it. That would probably be a good thing in a home defense situation.
But then again I am very partial to the Mossbergs, I have two myself.
As far as the Benelli, I have only shot one once before at a skeet shoot. It functioned fine all day with different shooters. All of the shooting was with 2 3/4 inch #8's.
Will
 
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