What 3 1/2 inch do you like?

M

malachi

New member
I saved enough cash for a new 12 ga. 3 1/2 inch semi. Just not sure what I want. A couple friends shoot Browning Golds, and another a Beretta Extrema. All claim they have the best.
Benelli points the well for me, but I can't rule out Remington. Thats what I have hunted with most of my life. I may go with a left handed model this time and hope it doesn't just confuse me after a lifetime of shooting right-handed guns.
Any suggestions? Southpaws please join in.
 
You can get used to a lefty version of a gun with no problem. I have no 3.5" guns that I would buy. 3" mags are enough for me. I don't like having to go to the Dentist to have fillings replaced.
 
Can't go wrong with a Benelli Super Black Eagle. It will shoot 2 3/4", 3" as well as 3 1/2" without any problems. Easy to take down and clean and the recoil even with 3 1/2 shells is not bad at all.

sbe2-large.jpg
 
I now shoot a SBE II and absolutely love it. And this is after going to the store dead set on a Beretta Extrema II (Beretta is the only other shotgun I have ever owned). My best advice is go and "feel" the different lines and see what fits you best. I think that is by far the best "test". Especially if you can shoot them. IMO, the Beretta and the Benelli, are both excellent guns, with personal feel being the determining factor. Best wishes on your new gun (BTW, I have no experience with Remington or Browning, that is why no comment). My dad shoots a Browning gold fusion and loves it.
 
super black eagle sounds great, is it possible to extend the magazine though? not familiar with autos at all. 3+1 is sufficient, but i like the idea of more rounds for HD.
 
My favorite kind of 3.5" magnum 12 gauge auto loader is the pump action 3" kind. There is nothing that a thousand+ dollar 3.5" autoloader can do that my 20 year old 870 express can't. But if they really fit your fancy, I suppose thats a good reason to get one. Me for instance, I'm buying a Fal for no other reason than I want one.

About Remington autoloaders, I've never shot one that didn't jam on me.
 
SuperX2, fantastic gun.
Click to expand...

ding ding ding!

can't say enough good stuff about the sx2. it'll eat dove loads to the biggest super-mag all day long, really reliable and durable, and comes at a considerably lower price than a lot of shotguns that could compete with it. the only reason i'd consider anything else is if you want an inertia system as it's cleaner than the gas-driven semis.
 
Direct quote from BenelliUSA
"Magazine extensions are only available for Law Enforcement now". "No
retail sales".
 
I personally don't like Benelli, but you can still get the extensions through a number of sources. I've seen too many break down in the duck blinds to suggest it, although they have a loyal following. I really like my Browning Gold, and will not part with it. It is the most comfortable and reliable shotgun I have ever owned, with the exception of the A5 (but can't get those in 3.5). The SX2 is a very close relative to the Gold, and I also looked at one before I got the Browning. I also own an 11-87 supermag that is also a very nice gun, and very comfortable, as I grew up shooting an 1100. The only other semi I would have is a Beretta-very nice, reliable guns.
 
I guess I should have added the fact, while my guns are 3.5", I have only shot two boxes of it. I like to decoy my birds in close, and if I can't kill 'em with 3", then I don't need 3.5". However, if I found a deal where the price was virtually the same, I would buy the 3.5's.
 
Another SX2 vote here - mine's the Waterfowl model and I've never shot a 3.5" shell. Dura-Touch coating should be mandatory on synthetic duck guns.

(I can't wait to see the SX3/Browning Gold when they're released, especially the 3" Superlite Hunter that will weigh, if reports are accurate, 6.75#.)


"There is nothing that a thousand+ dollar 3.5" autoloader can do that my 20 year old 870 express can't."

Nobody has ever asked to borrow my Express. They ask about the SX2, so that's something extra it can do...draw attention/curiosity/whatever. :)

I have a '93 and my uncle has an early one. I know my $700+ used SX2 MOSG (MSRP = $1215) is much softer to shoot than the Express (with an Decelerator pad on it), has a better trigger, is faster (is this a fast gas action design or what?), looks better plastic and all, and is just generally all around more fun although it does weigh quite a bit more than a 12 ga. Express.

The Express is a fine gun and I've certainly gotten my $199 out of it.

John
 
I had thought Hans Vang made extensions for Benelli's, but right now, his websight seems to be gone. He didn't go out of buisness or anything did he?
 
I would go with the new super x 3. The Winchester name carries a lot of weight with me and they are cheaper than the super black eagle 2.
 
super x3

great gun its a browning gold without the browning price tag!!!! i have a browning gold 3 1/2 30" walnut and its been a great gun. if you want nice walnut go with the browning if you dont care or want syn x3. i WOULD NOT get a remington every other company has updated their auto but them its gotta be close to 40 years old even though its a good auto its not as good as the new ones
 
also note the x3 and gold will shoot all three now problem hell my gold kicks 2 3/4s out about 3 yards
 
I looked at 3 1/2's for about a year. The guy that owns the local gun shop is a good friend of mine and sells LOTS of shotguns. He gives me the straight scoop (although as with everyone, there may be a little personal bias).

As noted above, a disproportinate number of the 3 1/2 Remington 12 gauge autos have been less than stellar. Too many problems ejecting. He won't stock them and is hesitant to special order.

Winchester/Brownings are better but still not the program.

In his opinion (and everyone at the shop), the SBE is the program, closely followed by the 391.

After much discussion, I went with a SP-10 Remington. I've got a 3" 870, so a 3 1/2" is pretty much duplication. According to a couple of the guys that hunt a lot, the 10 gauge is worth 10 yards over the 3 1/2". Downside is that the shells cost a little more, but I'm gonna shoot maybe 20 a year so big deal. The other downside is the weight. A bear when you carry but great when you shoot. HTH
 
Wait untill you have to carry that bad boy for any lenght of time! It weighs a ton! I got rid of my SP-10 over a year ago because it was so heavy.
 
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