Hello...I am shopping for a good 12 gauge semi auto shotgun. I am looking for less recoil than the body-abusing Rem 870, 1100's. Shot an entry level Charles Daly today, and it wasn't too bad. Just for shooting clays...looking for accuracy and reasonable cost, but mostly something I can shot all day long without feeling it for a week. A friend suggested that I look for a "gas powered " model? aren't all semi autos gas powered? Not sure, I am a rifle guy. Any recommendations?
Good semi-auto shotgun?
- Thread starter lance658
- Start date
Most auto shotguns are gas operated but a fine exception to this is the Benelli.The newest version [ M2] has special recoil absorbing pads. Important for recoil is; a stock that fits you well.A recoil pad of the gel type like Benelli or some of the high tech rubbers.Use of target loads [standard or light]. Weight of gun .The newest gas autos, whether by Remington, Winchester or Beretta have been designed to minimize recoil.
last year, i bought a Verona SX-405 when i was looking for the same thing. its lightweight, but gas operated and i put a limbsaver recoil pad on and with light target loads, its a pussycat to shoot. 4 rounds of trap are no sweat at all. there are certainly better guns out there but for a total of $350 with the recoil pad and a fibre optic sight, i can't argue with the price and its been 100% reliable and as accurate as this novice can make it be.
Bobby
Bobby
Thanks for the response, I've been waiting since Mete for additional advice. I fired the 12 ga again and he's right, the gun has to fit, and you can shoot pretty much anything.
Is Verona the manufacturer? Because that's the price range I am in...also, have you found a tube (mag extender) for it. I'd like to put 8 shells in it, I'm lazy and hate to reload....just being honest.
Is Verona the manufacturer? Because that's the price range I am in...also, have you found a tube (mag extender) for it. I'd like to put 8 shells in it, I'm lazy and hate to reload....just being honest.
Lance,
Verona is the name they are sold under anyway. the gun is Italian designed and Turkish built by a company who's name i can't remember off the top of my head. check out one of the gun auction sites and you'll see plenty of them. i do not know of any mag extenders for it. they come in wood or synthietic, take up to 3 inch loads, have aluminum receivers, gas operated, come with 3 choke tubes and a wrench and are 5+1 capacity. i think they are good value for the money but they won't win any beauty contests for ya. i think i paid $319 for mine new with a 28 inch barrel. i put a magnetic fibre optic sight on it and a limbsaver and i love shooting it. i'm not all that great on the trap line and don't shoot very often so i didn't want to wrap up several thousand dollars in an on again off again hobby. it serves its purpose very well and would make a fine hunting gun too.
Bobby
Verona is the name they are sold under anyway. the gun is Italian designed and Turkish built by a company who's name i can't remember off the top of my head. check out one of the gun auction sites and you'll see plenty of them. i do not know of any mag extenders for it. they come in wood or synthietic, take up to 3 inch loads, have aluminum receivers, gas operated, come with 3 choke tubes and a wrench and are 5+1 capacity. i think they are good value for the money but they won't win any beauty contests for ya. i think i paid $319 for mine new with a 28 inch barrel. i put a magnetic fibre optic sight on it and a limbsaver and i love shooting it. i'm not all that great on the trap line and don't shoot very often so i didn't want to wrap up several thousand dollars in an on again off again hobby. it serves its purpose very well and would make a fine hunting gun too.
Bobby
tokarevman
New member
LOL body-abusing 1100, mine kicks about as bad as a .22. Have you ever shot an 1100? there great guns i would not trade my 30 year old 1100 for a new Charles Daly or wierd spanish or Turkish built shotgun. You can get on used 1100 for about 350 to 400 bucks and you kinds kids will get plenty of use about it. Just rember when you buying a new shotgun you get what you pay for.
HSITH is 100% correct. If your going to be shooing clays with it, I would suggest the Beretta 391.
The 391 recoils like a powder puff, and is the most poular semi-auto on the Sporting Clays circuit for a very good reason.
Also if you hunt in Argentina, you already know that the 391 and a few Benellis rule the loaner racks. That is because the 391 can that the punishment of thousands of rounds and not fold like a cheap suit.
off topic.
With 1oz max FITASC rule ,and the trend toward lighter loads in SC you might also want to look at an O/U. K80 has his obvious favorite
I prefer the 682.
Get it fitted, grease it and a quality an O/U will last a lifetime
The 391 recoils like a powder puff, and is the most poular semi-auto on the Sporting Clays circuit for a very good reason.
Also if you hunt in Argentina, you already know that the 391 and a few Benellis rule the loaner racks. That is because the 391 can that the punishment of thousands of rounds and not fold like a cheap suit.
off topic.
With 1oz max FITASC rule ,and the trend toward lighter loads in SC you might also want to look at an O/U. K80 has his obvious favorite
I prefer the 682.Get it fitted, grease it and a quality an O/U will last a lifetime
All right Tokarev, settle down, I think we all know I'm a big sissy...truth be told, I have an old shoulder injury (repeated) that I have to nurse every now and then. I won't go for surgery, so one night I sleep wrong or in a weird position, and, well anyone who has had a shoulder injury knows the rest- three days of Tylenol with Codeine...
I actually have not fired an 1100 so I was going by someone else's recommendation. I will check them out....I would love a Beratta or X2, but I have that Italian disease, "myfunds'alow". It's ok, I'm Italian so I can say this kind of off-color stuff about myself.
But thanks for the advice, I will try to hunt around for a friend or acquaintance or has one of these///
I actually have not fired an 1100 so I was going by someone else's recommendation. I will check them out....I would love a Beratta or X2, but I have that Italian disease, "myfunds'alow". It's ok, I'm Italian so I can say this kind of off-color stuff about myself.
But thanks for the advice, I will try to hunt around for a friend or acquaintance or has one of these///
tokarevman
New member
Sorry sorry i did not know about the sholder thing, but no an 1100 being the heavest out of the group it does not kick bad. I am very 1100 biased incase you could not tell lol. The Berattas are a good gun but dont they have that anoying buttong to push to get the action to close?
All is forgiven....You know what, I may try an 1100 with all of the recoil reducers out there. Let me pick your brain.. you sound like you know this weaapon really well.
What is the highest cap mag ext tube I can put on an 1100, or the highest that you've heard of? If you're like me, you research something and know it inside and out( ie Ruger 10/22 that I am picking up on Friday, just can't figure out if a bull barrel addition will hinder my ability to find a good selection of inexpensive replacement thumbhole stocks).
I think I have held an 1100 at a nearby gun shop, but figured it was too much iron, but weight=less recoil, so I am going to hit the stored tomorrow. Know anything about the 1187?
Thanks for all the info, both previous and future
What is the highest cap mag ext tube I can put on an 1100, or the highest that you've heard of? If you're like me, you research something and know it inside and out( ie Ruger 10/22 that I am picking up on Friday, just can't figure out if a bull barrel addition will hinder my ability to find a good selection of inexpensive replacement thumbhole stocks).
I think I have held an 1100 at a nearby gun shop, but figured it was too much iron, but weight=less recoil, so I am going to hit the stored tomorrow. Know anything about the 1187?
Thanks for all the info, both previous and future
I just bought a Remington 11-87... Can't believe it hasn't been suggested for you post as I'd think it'd fit th bill perfectly.
I understand it is very similar to the 1100 - just a slightly beefed up, modernized version of the same functioning weapon! But don't take my word for that - I've never had an 1100 and am pretty new to my 11-87.
The 11-87 does at least seems top notch so far!
I understand it is very similar to the 1100 - just a slightly beefed up, modernized version of the same functioning weapon! But don't take my word for that - I've never had an 1100 and am pretty new to my 11-87.
The 11-87 does at least seems top notch so far!
tokarevman
New member
I have never really looked to hard for mag. ext. tubes but i have seen them around and the highest i have seen is 8rounds a quick serch on ebay got me this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36258&item=7145722787&rd=1
The 11-87's are also good guns that i know of but have never shot one, I got my 1100 from my dad about 9 years ago and he got it from his dad, and the only thing i have done to it was put a modern barrel on it becaus it was made before screw in choke tubes were invented. I put about a case of shells through it a week sometimes more. "I live about a mile away from a skeet and sporting clays corse". I just recently bought a Ruger Red lable and i love it but it has spent more time in the safe becaus i can not put down the 1100 lol.
The 11-87's are also good guns that i know of but have never shot one, I got my 1100 from my dad about 9 years ago and he got it from his dad, and the only thing i have done to it was put a modern barrel on it becaus it was made before screw in choke tubes were invented. I put about a case of shells through it a week sometimes more. "I live about a mile away from a skeet and sporting clays corse". I just recently bought a Ruger Red lable and i love it but it has spent more time in the safe becaus i can not put down the 1100 lol.
I've owned most of the autoloading shotguns available. The 1100 might just be the softest shooting autoloader out there. With a recoil reducer in the stock or just another pound of weight recoil would be negligable with most target loads.
I have an older 1100, from the early 70's. It says a lot about my opinion of the 1100 that I still own it and 20+ shotguns have gone down the road since I bought it. It is a good gun, mostly problem free but I still think the SuperX2 and the 391 are more durable and more reliable. The old 1100's and the SuperX1 are very good if not great shotguns but I think the golden age of autoloading shotguns is RIGHT NOW!!!
I have an older 1100, from the early 70's. It says a lot about my opinion of the 1100 that I still own it and 20+ shotguns have gone down the road since I bought it. It is a good gun, mostly problem free but I still think the SuperX2 and the 391 are more durable and more reliable. The old 1100's and the SuperX1 are very good if not great shotguns but I think the golden age of autoloading shotguns is RIGHT NOW!!!
Lance658:
You mentioned that you were shooting the Remington Heavy Target Load. Perhaps this is contributing to your shoulder discomfort.
If I may make a suggestion, try the Winchester AA Xtra-Lite load. It provides 2.75 dram-equivalent of powder pushing a one-once load of No. 7.5, 8, or 9 shot, and generates a muzzle velocity of 1180 fps. I find this to be a very effective and comfortable load to shoot all day from the 16-yard line at Trap.
Hope this helps.
Good luck, and good shooting!
You mentioned that you were shooting the Remington Heavy Target Load. Perhaps this is contributing to your shoulder discomfort.
If I may make a suggestion, try the Winchester AA Xtra-Lite load. It provides 2.75 dram-equivalent of powder pushing a one-once load of No. 7.5, 8, or 9 shot, and generates a muzzle velocity of 1180 fps. I find this to be a very effective and comfortable load to shoot all day from the 16-yard line at Trap.
Hope this helps.
Good luck, and good shooting!
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I can tell you this. I recently bought a Remington 11-87 with a fully rifled barrel and cantilever scope mount. I can shoot 3" mag sabot slugs through it ALL DAY LONG. I seriously cannot believe how "gently" this gun recoils even with a 3" shell.
By the way the difference between the 1100 and the 11-87 is chamber size, everything else is identical. The 1100 is only chambered for 2 3/4" shells. The 11-87 is chambered for 3" shells so you can shoot both 2 3/4" and 3" shells in it.
With a smoothbore, I would think your best choke for slugs would be modified.
By the way the difference between the 1100 and the 11-87 is chamber size, everything else is identical. The 1100 is only chambered for 2 3/4" shells. The 11-87 is chambered for 3" shells so you can shoot both 2 3/4" and 3" shells in it.
With a smoothbore, I would think your best choke for slugs would be modified.