Poll: Help me pick my new, (and 1st) Auto

[MontyCop05]

Have you looked at teh rem 1100s that are being made now?

I have. I'm a big Remington fan. Always have been since I started shooting as a little kid. My hunting rifle of choice is a 700, and I've been hunting with my 870 for years.

It's just time for an upgrade. The 1187 is my fall back option. I wouldn't be upset with one, and I'm more than sure there will be one in my collection at some point. There are just so many other options out there, I'd be a fool to paint my self into a corner by not considering them. Plus I've shot the 1100, the 1187, Benelli's, Beretta's and Brownings, and I have to say the higher end guns do have their appeal. The old Remi 1187 is has an action like a typewriter, but it works. The others are generally smother, faster, and offer more modern perks.

Some of you guys are right; a lot of it is going to come down to handling. It's going to be whats lightest, and points best for me. I can tell you that all the Benelli's I've shot or handled, have fallen right onto my eye perfectly. So we'll see how the Browning and Winchester do as I haven't had any hands on time with their recent offerings.

Keep the post following. I'm a feedback glutton on this one. After this one, it will probably be a few years before I get another shotty so I'll take all the experience you can throw at me guys.

 

[roy reali]

not here

many consider the 10-ga a more pleasant shooting gun.

Here in Nevada 10 gauge shotguns can not be used on state managed properties. I also believe Federal Refuges prohibit them too. I guess they could be used on private property.

 

[zippy13]

re: not here

Roy,
I don't have a clue, do you shoot many geese (or other 10-ga sized targets) in Nevada? I thought you were pretty much isolated between the Pacific and Central flyways.

My initial point was, shooting a 10-ga gun will have less perceived recoil than a similar equivalently loaded 12-ga gun with 3-1/2s. This is due to 10-ga guns typically being heavier and operating at lower pressures. In past threads, members mentioned they'd shot 3-1/2" loads in their 12-ga guns and they weren't going to repeat the experience -- preferring a 10ga for the heavy loads. To those members, getting a 3-1/2" chambered 12-ga had been a waste. I was trying to save the OP from that experience. That's why I asked if he'd shot 3-1/2" 12-ga loads; however, it seems I irked at least one 3-1/2" 12-ga fan.

MontyCop05, the OP, mentioned "skeet/trap" as one of the uses for his new gun. Generally, semi-auto shotguns that will accommodate 3-1/2" shells will only function with the heavier target loads -- the auto-loaders with shorter chambers seem to function better with the lighter target loads (below 3 dram equivalent). In a subsequent post he (the OP) mentioned that he's a "feedback glutton" so I'm guessing he's interested in many varied opinions. He may find your comment on Nevada 10-ga restrictions pertinent to his selection. I can see where a 3-1/2" 12-ga could be attractive where 10-ga guns are prohibited.

 

[MontyCop05]

He may find your comment on Nevada 10-ga restrictions pertinent to his selection. I can see where a 3-1/2" 12-ga could be attractive where 10-ga guns are prohibited.

Zippy,

I'm not interested in getting a 10ga. at this point. I might have one at some point...should I trip over one at a steal of a price, but I'm not exactly looking to add one to my collection. I will be hunting waterfowl with my new gun so I'd like the 3-1/2 capability, but as you pointed out, I also want it to cycle trap loads. This is why the Versamax interests me so much. I trust in Big Green, and if what they say, and if what the gun reviews say are true, it's supposed to have no problems with shells down to 7/8s reloads. However, I doubt there is more than one or two folks on here that have one. Being they're so new and in short supply. Also the chances they are also trolling on this forum reduce my odds even more of getting some good hunter-to-hunter field test review info. I've scoured the net looking for info and only found the a few decent, and what I would call trustworthy, write-ups amongst the advertising propaganda.

 

[zippy13]

MontyCop05,

Thanks for the heads-up.

In a previous thread on the Versa Max, I opined that the gas system was an interesting design concept; but, having the gas inlet array in the forcing cone area could invite fouling problems. Consequently, I wouldn't want to be "the first one on the block" to have one. Were I in your shoes, I'd want some trigger time with the Versa Max before finalizing my decision. I realize this may be difficult with a fresh model.

I assume you are aware of the Versa Max recall. This might be delaying the model's general distribution. Remington recommends against shooting guns that haven't had the hammer enhancement. Upgraded guns will: "contain a 'V' stamped that can be seen by looking in the ejection port or through the carrier."

 

[oneounceload]

Zippy, as someone who lived in the Reno area, I can tell you we had TONS of those damn geese everywhere, especially around our office building, crapping everywhere. There are a lot of them when there is water - and in between Carson City and Reno there are some lakes that usually hold enough water for them. We also walked up a lot of ducks in certain rivers and creek areas, but it was not the same as Maryland or similar flyways.

When lead was legal, I used a 20 gauge with 3" #2..worked excellent

 

[roy reali]

Nevada

Zippy, as someone who lived in the Reno area, I can tell you we had TONS of those damn geese everywhere,

Come on! There ain't geese or any game for that matter in Nevada. Why spread rumors? I don't want people to visit the Silver State and be disappointed.

 

[oneounceload]

I guess you can't see them Roy - they were all over my company's HQ on the south side of town as well as as Washoe Lake, little Washoe Lake, and the Carson River

so stop your trolling

 

[roy reali]

reneounceload

I guess you can't see them Roy - they were all over my company's HQ on the south side of town as well as as Washoe Lake, little Washoe Lake, and the Carson River

They were figments of your imagination.

 

[Chinny33]

Browning Maxus

Browning Maxus 3.5" Waterfowl.

unbelievably lightweight and feel and swing and oh my gosh!

 

[Deerhunter]

MontyCop05


I gave you my vote and commented twice before. I am also a Remington guy. I have a 870 Express Mag and my rifle is a 700 in 270. When I started looking at semi autos my first look was at the 11-87. The guy at Bass Pro wanted to sell me a SBE II. I held a bunch and the 11-87 is noticably heavier than the others. That is when I started looking at the Browning Maxus. Light weight and easy to carry around in the field. I have had it out dove hunting twice.

 

[MontyCop05]

You have left out some of the very best gas operated autoloading shotguns on the market:

The new Browning Maxus

I voted other.....here is why......

I just bought a Browning Maxus a few months ago. It is the 28 inch barrel 2 3/4-3.5 inch chamber model. It handles the light target load on the skeet/trap field with no issues. I shot 2 3/4 inch high velocity 7.5s out of it with no issue. It doesn't kick near as much at my 870 Express Mag kicks with the 3 inch shells. I went with it because I liked the feel. It shouldered good on me. I also like the weight. I wanted to use it for upland hunting, dove hunting and for ducks and geese. I didn't want to be carrying a heavy gun around. I love mine, best choice I could have made and the price was right. $1300

I shoot the 3.5s out of my Browning Maxus. They aren't nearly as bad as the 3s I shot out of my 870 Express Mag. My Maxus is in the Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo. It has shims for adjustments also. It came with 3 chokes and a wrench. Cleaning is easy. I have been out twice to the skeet range with it. Both times I put 125 rounds through it with out an issue. It only took me about 30 minutes to break it down, clean it and put it back together. That is fast since I do a real good cleaning not just a wipe down.

Browning Maxus 3.5" Waterfowl.

unbelievably lightweight and feel and swing and oh my gosh!

That is when I started looking at the Browning Maxus. Light weight and easy to carry around in the field. I have had it out dove hunting twice.

The shotgunners have spoken!

This is why I love this forum. You guys opened my eyes. I didn't even consider the Maxus initially, (1) because I was unaware of it, and (2) I haven't seen any in the stores I had been to looking around. Well, I stopped by one of my local gun shops on the way back from pheasant hunting today, and what do I see but 3 different Maxus models on the rack, along with several SBE II models, two M2's, The beretta's that you guys have mentioned, an SX3, and some others. Well I played with them all. As for the Maxus, they had the Carbon, the stalker, and a stalker duck edition. Needless to say the duck camo is out, but the carbon the stalker were beauties! I love the way the Maxus feels and swings for me. I think I've fallen in love. I'm about 85% leaning towards the Maxus stalker. I'd also like to get my hands on the Maxus hunter with the wood stock before I make the final call. Also, I wanna see if I can handle a 3.5 SX3. Haven found one yet. I will be making my purchase in the next week most likely.

 

[publius]

My vote is for any Beretta. Very reliable and soft recoil. Second place is any Benelli except the Vinci. Might be a good weapon but it feels weird to me and is ugly as hell.

 

[oneounceload]

The only thing I will add to this thread now is to try it before you buy it if at all possible..........beg, borrow, or steal....(j/k), but seriously - shouldering in the store is one thing, firing it at targets with your intended ammo is quite another..........

Good Luck!

 

[LanceOregon]

My initial point was, shooting a 10-ga gun will have less perceived recoil than a similar equivalently loaded 12-ga gun with 3-1/2s. This is due to 10-ga guns typically being heavier and operating at lower pressures. In past threads, members mentioned they'd shot 3-1/2" loads in their 12-ga guns and they weren't going to repeat the experience -- preferring a 10ga for the heavy loads. To those members, getting a 3-1/2" chambered 12-ga had been a waste. I was trying to save the OP from that experience. That's why I asked if he'd shot 3-1/2" 12-ga loads; however, it seems I irked at least one 3-1/2" 12-ga fan.

Zippy:

So you readily admit that you have no actual experience at all with these issues. Have never yourself ever owned and hunted with either a semiauto 10 gauge, or any 3.5 inch 12 gauge. In other words, you have absolutely NO FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE of any kind in these matters.

And the simple fact is that these other posts that you say that you are referrring to here in this forum DO NOT EXIST! There are no such statements made here by others making these arguments to prefer the 10 gauge over the 3.5 inch 12 gauge.

The arguments that you are making here are simply untrue, on a number of levels.

Tell us, do you even have any clue at all how heavy and unwieldy a Browning Gold 10 or a Remington SP-10 is? Any idea at all to what their weight is?

.

 

[Deerhunter]

I have hunted with 2 guys that had Remington 10 gauges. They are heavy, real heavy. I shot them and they aren't bad to shoot but I wouldn't want to carry one around.

Like I said in other posts here....I went with the Browning Maxus. It fit me well and the weight is great. It was noticeably lighter than the Remington 11-87 which was another semi-auto I was looking at. I kept hearing different things about some of the semi-autos chambered for 3.5s saying they had issues with the light target loads. I knew I wanted a semi-auto for all around bird hunting and for shooting at the range. The Maxus has that covered. I have not had a single issue with it. The recoil isn't punishing no matter what you shoot out of it and it will handle all loads. 3.5s kick a lot more than the 2 3/4 target loads but at the same time, you aren't shooting 125 - 3.5s in an afternoon.

 

[zippy13]

LanceOregon,
This vendetta of yours is getting ridiculous and you're embarrassing yourself. With respect to your:

And the simple fact is that these other posts that you say that you are referrring to here in this forum DO NOT EXIST! There are no such statements made here by others making these arguments to prefer the 10 gauge over the 3.5 inch 12 gauge.

You should shouldn't be making bold statements that are so easily repudiated. From last month, in srkavanagh6621's Advice on a new shotgun, post #8, there is:

I love the 10 ga guns so if you are thinking about getting a 3 1/2" 12 ga get a 10 ga the recoil is not as bad as any of my 3 1/2" inch 12's. A 3 inch 12 ga will do the job though and for pheasant may be the better choice. Just go and shoot some of these guns and handle them the best gun for you is the one that fits you the best.

It's clear that member jbaham is expressing his preference for a 10-ga over a 3 1/2-inch 12-ga -- seems you owe Scorch and me apologies.

 

[BigJimP]

Come on Lance, give it a rest man ....

your personal attacks on people are boring and getting tedious ....and predictable ....

 

[hoffbill]

Benelli

I shoot a Benelli Super Sport w 30" barrel for trap, skeet, clays, quail,pheasants, ducks, geese, and it would work fine on varmints up to and including 2 legged ones. Just screw in desired choke (no tool required)
Well balanced, light, east to custom fit as shims and washers come with, butt pads and cheek pads available, no recoil issues, cycles any shell you cram in it without blinking no adjustment required, cleaning consists of easy simple takedown and wipedown, no carbon buildup as gas guns get what's not to like?
It's also available with 28" barrel if you want it shorter. If you perfer wood the Benelli Super II is same action in wood but you give up the Comfort Tech stock so maybe a little more felt recoil. I cannot tell the recoil difference when comparing to gas guns. In any case it will be less than the non-autos you have been shooting.

 

[LanceOregon]

Come on Lance, give it a rest man ....

Jim:

Zippy doesn't know ANYTHING at all on this subject, PERIOD.

He has never owned or shot any of these types of guns that he is talking about.

That is an extremely valid thing to point out.

.