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What is the best and most affortable SEMI-AUto 12gauge?
- Thread starter Mr.XD9mm
- Start date
You don't say what you intend to do with it. Sporting clays? defense? Those are quite different.
What you eventually get will be a matter of personal preferencel. I like the Browning Auto-5/Remington Model 11. They are only available used. I have one to which I have mounted rifle sights. I use it in IPSC 3 gun competition, but I could also use it for deer with slugs, or home defense. I have also used it for sporting clays.
Most people will vote for something like the Remington 1100 or 11/87, or the Winchester Super X Model II. All are good, just depends on your preferences. Consider the possibility of having multiple barrels to convert the gun for specific tasks.
What you eventually get will be a matter of personal preferencel. I like the Browning Auto-5/Remington Model 11. They are only available used. I have one to which I have mounted rifle sights. I use it in IPSC 3 gun competition, but I could also use it for deer with slugs, or home defense. I have also used it for sporting clays.
Most people will vote for something like the Remington 1100 or 11/87, or the Winchester Super X Model II. All are good, just depends on your preferences. Consider the possibility of having multiple barrels to convert the gun for specific tasks.
Skeetin'870
New member
Beretta 3901 you can pick htem up for 400 and they are every bit as good as the top of the line semi auto berettas. Mine was stolen this morning and i wish i had it to shoot the people with.
Remington 1100
I like the Remington 1100 in 12ga. A couple of years ago I was also debating on which semi-auto shotgun to get (Remington, Beretta, Benelli, etc.). I ultimately went with the Remington 1100 and I'm very happy with it.
It's very reliable (gas operated), soft shooting, durable, and fairly affordable (although the retail price has gone up a lot since I bought one a couple of years ago). I use it mostly for clay use and it works well, even with light target loads. It patterns well and also fits me pretty well. For my needs, it is a good all-purpose semi-auto. Also, although I don't take such great care of it (I don't really clean it too often) it still keeps on cycling reliably.
My 1100 came with a 28" barrel. However, I also picked up an extra 22" barrel that has a fiber optic front bead and a metal mid bead for fun. It's actually the same barrel that is sold on the Remington Competition Master 1100 http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/1100_competition_master.htm).
The only drawback with the 1100 is that if you want to shoot 3" Magnum shells out of it, you're probably better of getting an 11-87 or some other gun. I believe that most of the 12 ga 1100's are configured for 2-3/4" shells, although I seem to recall there is one version of the 1100 that accepts the 3" long shells. I prefer the 1100, because it more reliably cycles the lighter target loads that I use than a 3" gun.
Definitely check the 1100 out. You can probably find a good deal on a used one in your area.
I like the Remington 1100 in 12ga. A couple of years ago I was also debating on which semi-auto shotgun to get (Remington, Beretta, Benelli, etc.). I ultimately went with the Remington 1100 and I'm very happy with it.
It's very reliable (gas operated), soft shooting, durable, and fairly affordable (although the retail price has gone up a lot since I bought one a couple of years ago). I use it mostly for clay use and it works well, even with light target loads. It patterns well and also fits me pretty well. For my needs, it is a good all-purpose semi-auto. Also, although I don't take such great care of it (I don't really clean it too often) it still keeps on cycling reliably.
My 1100 came with a 28" barrel. However, I also picked up an extra 22" barrel that has a fiber optic front bead and a metal mid bead for fun. It's actually the same barrel that is sold on the Remington Competition Master 1100 http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/1100_competition_master.htm).
The only drawback with the 1100 is that if you want to shoot 3" Magnum shells out of it, you're probably better of getting an 11-87 or some other gun. I believe that most of the 12 ga 1100's are configured for 2-3/4" shells, although I seem to recall there is one version of the 1100 that accepts the 3" long shells. I prefer the 1100, because it more reliably cycles the lighter target loads that I use than a 3" gun.
Definitely check the 1100 out. You can probably find a good deal on a used one in your area.
exoduster16
New member
I have an 11-87 and have not been disappointed. I have kept real clean and have taken good care of it since I got it about 8 years ago. It has a 2 3/4 in. or 3 in. capability and I have put 1000+ rounds through it and it functions flawlessly still to this day. I've put slugs, all kinds of buckshot, 3 in. magnum shells, just everything and it has NEVER JAMMED. Not once. Not even a hiccup. I love this gun.
sagia 12g HANDS down
basically its a shotgun in the form of a ak47, but on steroids
supercheap and realible.
extra mags are expensive as hell though. because ATF likes to put a squeeze on importers and remmington when it bought out EAA stopped importing saiga stuff because it was basically competition. currently there arent US mag makers... but sooner or later somone will start producing the mags here in the US... and after the initial buying frenzy the cost will drop down and things should be good.
but yeah saiga 12 is best bang for buck
basically its a shotgun in the form of a ak47, but on steroids
supercheap and realible.
extra mags are expensive as hell though. because ATF likes to put a squeeze on importers and remmington when it bought out EAA stopped importing saiga stuff because it was basically competition. currently there arent US mag makers... but sooner or later somone will start producing the mags here in the US... and after the initial buying frenzy the cost will drop down and things should be good.
but yeah saiga 12 is best bang for buck
CorpseEater
New member
Hey Ignition, I don't know if you've heard yet or not, but a new importer picked up the saiga line, and from what I've heard theyll be stocking the 5 rounders. 8 and 10 rounders will still be expensive and hard to get ahold of until some US manufacturers start.
expeditionx
New member
EAA was never bought out by Remington. What happened is EAA lost their association with the company that used to export arms from Russia "IZHMASH". EAA is still open for business. Remington gained a contract to distribute a certain "IZHMASH" brand of shotgun. Remington never bought out anyone.
The new importer is RAA in the United States
heres the website http://www.raacfirearms.com/test/index.htm
The ATF wont allow RAA to import magazines larger than 5 rounds for the shotgun or they will declare the saiga shotguns as Destructive Devices and that would screw up everyones day. Its a direct ATF threat to RAA.
Apparently the ATF is out to make a case against anyone that is not authorized to have a semiauto shotgun with a detachable magazine over 5 rounds. If they declare the saiga shotguns destructive devices registration is the next step. Some states wont allow DD's for civilians.
Mags over 5 rounds for the saiga shotguns are likely to screw up alot of peoples saiga ownership.
The new importer is RAA in the United States
heres the website http://www.raacfirearms.com/test/index.htm
The ATF wont allow RAA to import magazines larger than 5 rounds for the shotgun or they will declare the saiga shotguns as Destructive Devices and that would screw up everyones day. Its a direct ATF threat to RAA.
Apparently the ATF is out to make a case against anyone that is not authorized to have a semiauto shotgun with a detachable magazine over 5 rounds. If they declare the saiga shotguns destructive devices registration is the next step. Some states wont allow DD's for civilians.
Mags over 5 rounds for the saiga shotguns are likely to screw up alot of peoples saiga ownership.