Which Semi 12? 11-87/Gold/SX2/390/?
- Thread starter Quadzilla
- Start date
Lets see. I started with an 11-87 for this purpose. It was junk, never did get it to be reliable. Bought a Browning Gold Hunter 3.5". It was a good shotgun, and I shot it pretty well. I needed to knock the glare down, and could not paint the wood. I sold it and bought a SuperX2 3.5". There are not enough good words available for the X2. It is simply awesome. The Beretta is nice, but for less thana grand you are not getting 3.5" so it is not a do it all type in my mind. 3.5" capability for waterfowl and turkey sure is nice. The Benelli guys are going to pipe up I am sure, but I do not like the SBE, only marginally better than an 11-87 in my book.
I think the SuperX2 is the ultimate. Weak point would be accessories, not a lot out there yet.
I think the SuperX2 is the ultimate. Weak point would be accessories, not a lot out there yet.
retiredsquid
New member
Ditto on HSMITH's comments.
Rich
Rich
I've owned an 11-87 and a Beretta 390 and found both to be reliable guns. The only drawback for "serious" purposes with the 390 is the shell capacity which is limited to 3+1. I've not found the need yet for a 3-1/2" shell and live quite nicely with 2-3/4" for most purposes and rarely feel the need for even 3".
If I gave up my breaking guns and was limited to only one, I'd get a Beretta 391.
Paul
If I gave up my breaking guns and was limited to only one, I'd get a Beretta 391.
Paul
I own 3 out of the 4. No gold.
The SX2 is a great outfit if you want the option of 3.5" shells. If not, why have the extra weight and expense.
The 390 is a great gun. mine was totally reliable until the last time I cleaned it. I still aint figgered out what I did but thats fodder for another thread. great for bird hunting and clay games.
11-87. I got one and it's OK but I wouldn't want it for my only SG.
If primary was home defense I wouldn't pick any of those 4 and would opt for a pump.
The SX2 is a great outfit if you want the option of 3.5" shells. If not, why have the extra weight and expense.
The 390 is a great gun. mine was totally reliable until the last time I cleaned it. I still aint figgered out what I did but thats fodder for another thread. great for bird hunting and clay games.
11-87. I got one and it's OK but I wouldn't want it for my only SG.
If primary was home defense I wouldn't pick any of those 4 and would opt for a pump.
retiredsquid
New member
My Super X2 is the 3" field grade version. If I were buying a new semi-auto 12 gauge right now it would be the Winchester Super X2 in the Sporting Clays version. It comes with two gas compensators: one for light 2 3/4" target loads and the other for heavy field loads up to and including 3" magnums.
I still haven't found any reason for me to have a 3 1/2" magnum gun.
BTW: The Super X2 has back bored barrel and uses the Browning Invector Plus screw-in choke system.
I've owned several Remington 1100s, a few 11-87s, and an 11-96. I own a 20ga. Browning Gold Classic. I've got to say that I prefer the Super X2 over all of the other 12ga. guns I've owned.
Rich
I still haven't found any reason for me to have a 3 1/2" magnum gun.
BTW: The Super X2 has back bored barrel and uses the Browning Invector Plus screw-in choke system.
I've owned several Remington 1100s, a few 11-87s, and an 11-96. I own a 20ga. Browning Gold Classic. I've got to say that I prefer the Super X2 over all of the other 12ga. guns I've owned.
Rich
I've stayed out of this til now for a very simple reason. I've little or no experience with any of the current autos.
Still, I've heard a lot of stuff through the grapevine. Never have I heard a discouraging word about the X-2.
Heard little bad about the 391, and the Extrema I shot recently handled nicely despite all the drop in the stock.That of course, is corrected with the shim kit.
As for 3 1/2" shell capability,I remain quite unenthused. So do the goose guides I know.
HTH....
Still, I've heard a lot of stuff through the grapevine. Never have I heard a discouraging word about the X-2.
Heard little bad about the 391, and the Extrema I shot recently handled nicely despite all the drop in the stock.That of course, is corrected with the shim kit.
As for 3 1/2" shell capability,I remain quite unenthused. So do the goose guides I know.
HTH....
All around?
When you say "all around" -- here's what I think of:
1. Hunting (birds and deer)
2. Defense
3. Competition
So I think you need to find a gun that has:
1. Options for multiple barrels (18.5" for defense, longer for hunting and competition)
2. Options for multiple sighting systems (GRs for defense, scopes for slugging deer, etc)
3. Barrels with removable choke tubes (open for defense, others for birds)
4. Ability to chamber multiple shell lengths (dunno if 3.5" is a pre-requisite, I don't hunt!)
5. Ability to take mag tube extensions (defense and competition)
6. Ability to accept/availability of the appropriate accessories (e.g. weaponlights for defense).
That's a tall order -- but I think the Remington 1100 and Benelli M1 Super 90 fit all the above. The others you mention fit most but not all.
Justin
When you say "all around" -- here's what I think of:
1. Hunting (birds and deer)
2. Defense
3. Competition
So I think you need to find a gun that has:
1. Options for multiple barrels (18.5" for defense, longer for hunting and competition)
2. Options for multiple sighting systems (GRs for defense, scopes for slugging deer, etc)
3. Barrels with removable choke tubes (open for defense, others for birds)
4. Ability to chamber multiple shell lengths (dunno if 3.5" is a pre-requisite, I don't hunt!)
5. Ability to take mag tube extensions (defense and competition)
6. Ability to accept/availability of the appropriate accessories (e.g. weaponlights for defense).
That's a tall order -- but I think the Remington 1100 and Benelli M1 Super 90 fit all the above. The others you mention fit most but not all.
Justin
jthuang
There is a version of the SuperX2 that might meet your defense requirements. Check it out here:
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/superx2/sx2_practical.htm
Add a longer choked-tubed barrel and you'd be set.
Paul
There is a version of the SuperX2 that might meet your defense requirements. Check it out here:
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/superx2/sx2_practical.htm
Add a longer choked-tubed barrel and you'd be set.
Paul
because
I still use a '74 SX1. Had chokes put in-original 28"(mod) bbl. At one time 10k rds per year. It is still my everything gun, and 2.75" chamber, geese didn't know that.
SX2 be my choice in 3", have used, not the same as my machined SX1, but very nice. Yea tried the 3" shells-ok Have no use for 3.5" personally. played with pattern board. Educational.
390 second pick.
word is old boy whom did the SX1, had a hand in the SX2 and Gold
Really tho--which one fits you--that's the one to get.
I still use a '74 SX1. Had chokes put in-original 28"(mod) bbl. At one time 10k rds per year. It is still my everything gun, and 2.75" chamber, geese didn't know that.
SX2 be my choice in 3", have used, not the same as my machined SX1, but very nice. Yea tried the 3" shells-ok Have no use for 3.5" personally. played with pattern board. Educational.
390 second pick.
word is old boy whom did the SX1, had a hand in the SX2 and Gold
Really tho--which one fits you--that's the one to get.
discussion of optional barrels
a mossy or 870 combo is probably bargain priced if that is the only shotgun in the house but a "spare" barrel for a 390, SX2, and alot of others will cost more than a good used pump dedicated to home defense.
I see little use for extra barrels when you can have a weapon all setup and ready to go at no additional cost.
a mossy or 870 combo is probably bargain priced if that is the only shotgun in the house but a "spare" barrel for a 390, SX2, and alot of others will cost more than a good used pump dedicated to home defense.
I see little use for extra barrels when you can have a weapon all setup and ready to go at no additional cost.
I was faced with the same decision 2 months ago and went with the 3" SX2, its a great gun. Out of the box it shot AA lite trap loads and walmart cheapies perfectly. The high rib on the SX2 makes it easy to shoot and it breaks down in a simple manner for cleaning. I really doubt I'll live long enough to ever wear the gun out.
Super!
What a great discussion, guys. Thanks for the input. To respond to one of the comments: I would like the option of using this gun for deer hunting, but it won't be a defense gun. So a few basic accessory barrels would do fine for me.
I'm a little surprised at the runaway support for the SX2, but it must be a great gun to get such uniformly wonderful reviews. The 'newness' factor is there - maybe these guns won't have there problems for a few years yet - but the early returns are impressive.
I wonder if Browning/USRAC has done itself in by producing a shotgun that is as good or better than the Gold series, at a signifcantly lower price.
I find it hard to believe that the SX2 would have engineering advantages/features that had not already been built into the Gold. Does that make sense?
I did have my hands on a Benelli Super 90 in 20 guage that a poster mentioned, and that is one slick little light handling gun. Wouldn't want to use it all day in the duck blind, but it would be a dream to carry.
Keep those comments coming!
What a great discussion, guys. Thanks for the input. To respond to one of the comments: I would like the option of using this gun for deer hunting, but it won't be a defense gun. So a few basic accessory barrels would do fine for me.
I'm a little surprised at the runaway support for the SX2, but it must be a great gun to get such uniformly wonderful reviews. The 'newness' factor is there - maybe these guns won't have there problems for a few years yet - but the early returns are impressive.
I wonder if Browning/USRAC has done itself in by producing a shotgun that is as good or better than the Gold series, at a signifcantly lower price.
I find it hard to believe that the SX2 would have engineering advantages/features that had not already been built into the Gold. Does that make sense?
I did have my hands on a Benelli Super 90 in 20 guage that a poster mentioned, and that is one slick little light handling gun. Wouldn't want to use it all day in the duck blind, but it would be a dream to carry.
Keep those comments coming!
The Browning Gold and Winchester SX2 are the same gun with different finishes and feature sets.
The SX2 Practical looks good for combat competition.
I have a 60 yr. old Remington Model 11 that has been restored, with MMC apperature sights added with removable choke tubes. I have an extended mag for IPSC matches. It shoots slugs and shot very nicely. I am not ready to replace it.
The SX2 Practical looks good for combat competition.
I have a 60 yr. old Remington Model 11 that has been restored, with MMC apperature sights added with removable choke tubes. I have an extended mag for IPSC matches. It shoots slugs and shot very nicely. I am not ready to replace it.
Matthew Courtney
New member
The 1100 is a great gun. The only drawback is most do not handle 3 inch shells. The 11-87 not only handles 3 inch shells, but is designed to be more reliable with lighter loads. I have both and the only difficulties that I have encountered have been ammo related (Fiocchi). My brother has a 30 year old 1100 that my dad shot thousands of rounds through. The only difficulty experienced with that shotgun was a broken extractor in its 27th year. That's 27 years of serious duck hunting in south Louisiana. You do have to clean 'em every now and then.
Stay SafeI have a 11-87 it is a hunting gun. It never jams, never missfired and this is afte10 years in phesant fields, duckblinds and laying out in fields hunting geese. It has the original O-ring. The last time I was out for geese I got two came home cleaned it and dumped 8 soybeans out of the receiver. It works and is reliable.
Len S
Len S