What is the best auto for the $$$

C

confused

New member
I don't do a lot of shotgun shooting other than goofing around and blowing holes in objects.I have an old pump for that and it works great.I would like to add an auto shotgun to the gun safe but don't want to spend big bucks for it to sit there.
I thought about it too long on a nice used CZ for $300 at a local gun shop and it is gone.What is a good quality used brand/model to look for that won't cost an arm and a leg?
Thanks.
 
You will probably find more quality used Remington 1100's out there than any other brand. Not sure what they are selling for now, but that would probably be the best bargain.

On a new gun the Stoeger 2000 is the best buy. They are still around $400-$450 I think however.
 
Let me preface this by saying that I was born and bred shooting Remingtons. I've owned lots of their rifles and shotguns both new and used. They just fit my body type better than most guns and I've always had good luck with them. I've also owned a Franchi and a Benelli that were very good.

I've bought several 1100s and 11-87s for $350-$400 in the last few years. In fact, I just bought a Benelli M-1 for under $600, so bargains are out there.

I know that a lot of people have had good luck with Stoeger, Charles Daly and Mossberg autos but I've never owned one.
 
I would love to pick one up for $300-$350.I can get several good new ones in the $600 range but I don't have the extra cash to pony up right now.
I would love to have the FN SLP but that is out of the question for now.
Call me crazy but I don't care about having a safe queen/show poodle.A workhorse is good enough for me.
 
Add a hunert to your budget and get a new American built mossberg. Their 20 SA is imported but most are made here.
Brent
 
I agree that the 2000 is a great buy. I have a couple that have been great for my sons.

A friend bought this used Uplander off gunbroker for around $250:
Uplander.jpg


It is well regulated and he likes it. Of course, it is not an O/U but it is pretty.
 
The old-style Beretta 390 @ Wallyworld is hard to beat for $590, I'd guess. I've shot an old, plain Jane 1100 synthetic for years. The 1187 is just too heavy and unbalanced with the beefy stainless gas system for me. Personally, I like the older guns ('cause I'm old), so I shop the used racks for SKB's (Ithacas), older Franchis, Berettas, and the like. An old Browning Auto 5 is bringing a premium price these days also. The Mossberg 930 and 935 should have the bugs worked out by now, but who knows? I'm hoping to stumble across a good old Ithaca 51 or newer Franchi 612, but I know my luck. Hope yours is better!

-7-
 
I think one of the best values in semi-autos right now ( and still be a long term durable gun ) are the Beretta 390 / 391's. They aren't "show guns" just good reliable everyday guns ..... and new they're around $ 1,000 / used maybe $ 600 ...

There is a lot of difference in guns - that will show up as you shoot a few years. Many of us put 10 - 12 boxes a week thru a primary gun / or easily 12,000 - 15,000 shells a year .... and the Beretta 390's / 391's have proved they can stand up to that level of use for 4 or 5 years without a major rebuild. If you're looking at a gun that is half the price of the Berettas - you have to ask yourself about the quality of the components in the gun / it isn't just the name ..... and I'm not really a Beretta fan personally.

Remington 1100's have been solid work horses as well for many years - and there are a lot of them around used under $ 600. I would recommend one of these as well.

Personally, one of the best semi-autos on the market for the money to me - is the Benelli super sport - an inertia operated gun with the Benelli comfort tech system in it. But that gun is selling for about $ 1,800 in my area right now so its out of your budget comfort zone. I use the Super Sport as my "travel gun" - airlines can't beat it up / its synthetic carbon fibre .... and it does a lot of things well - hunt some quail, ducks, pheasants, shoot some Skeet, Trap etc ....

Honestly, if you're just shooting casually - why not just stay with a good pump gun ( Rem 870, Browning BPS, whatever pump gun you like .... ). When your budget loosens up a little consider a good semi-auto down the road.
 
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Ok, I'll weigh in. During the last 4 years I have bought a lot of guns. My position changed a bit and I was no longer traveling the world all of the time and I had a bit of "extra" money and a lot of pent up desire for shooting sports.

I have a 70's era Remington Wingmaster, 20 ga that I love. But I wanted to explore the realm of auto loaders. I first bought a beautiful used Remington 11-87 Premier. It fit me and I shot it well. Problem was I could never get it to cycle reliably. I then bought a Stoeger M2000. Now lots of folks will deride the Stoeger, but I and many others have found it to be a very reliable shotgun. For the $399.00 I spent for it at Dick's I have no complaints whatsoever. I did have to shorten the stock, due to the LOP being too long, but other than that it has been great.

Next, I had a buddy call me from a gun store one afternoon and told me that they had a nice A390 for $450.00. Twenty minutes later, it was mine. This is my favorite of the 11 shotguns I now own. I have put thousands of rounds through it at skeet and sporting clays and have had no issues of any kind.

Finally, I found a Beretta AL390 (the "Walmart" gun) at Bass Pro Shops for $549.00. I marched in with my 11-87 Premier, added $250.00 and walked out with one. It is my hunting gun. Same boring reliability as the A390, but with synthetic stock so I don't have to worry about messing up the pretty wood in the Dove fields.

I have seen the same guns at Cabelas too. So, in my simple minded opinion for ~$560.00 or so, the Beretta AL390 is one of the best shotgun values available.

For a totally budget driven decision the Stoeger M2000 won't let you down either.

I know if I like the Stoeger so much, why get the 390's? For high volume shooting, such as clay sports, and dove hunting (when you are lucky), it does smack just a bit harder than the gas driven Berettas.

My two cents worth.
 
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