Opinions on 12 Gauge Semi's

kilgore33 · November 6, 2008, 02:45 PM

Looking for an all around 12 gauge semi for Pheasant, Rabbit, Duck and anything else edible that doesn't require a tag. looked at the Browning Silver series, The Winchester Super X3 Composite and the Remington 1100. Any opinions on the quality, reliability of these guns. Own three other firearms, none Semi-Automatic. Trying to make the purchase before January 20th

BigJimP · November 6, 2008, 03:04 PM

All of the Remington 870's are pump guns / not semi-autos. The 870 is a time tested pump gun / there are inexpensive versions like the express all the way up to the Wingmaster. Mossberg / Browning BPS are competitors - good pump guns as well. My personal preference on a pump gun is the Browning BPS. You get a lot of gun for the money, bottom ejection good for left or right handers, stocks are usually cast neutral (so lefties and right handed shooters ) have no issues. A 28" or 30" barrel is my preference for general hunting and clay target games if you go with a pump gun.

Semi-autos... Browning owns Winchester ( for last 5 years or so ) so the Winchester X3 and the Browning Silver series are virtually identical to my eye. There may be some internal differences that I'm not aware of. I think you'll find them both to be good guns. Remington and Beretta also make good gas guns - and they are competitors with Browning / Winchester. My personal preference in semi-autos is Benelli - the inertia system shoots cleaner than any of the gas guns, it cycles quicker - and if you buy a gun with their comfort tech recoil system in it, I think its a very soft shooting gun. Lots of choices out there - in a semi-auto I like a 28 or 30" barrel.

In general, the lighter the gun, the longer barrel I want on it - ( at least up to 30" ) - so it swings smoother and follows thru a little better. Because of the receiver length on a pump/semi-auto a 28" barrel on either type gun / gives you the same overall length as a 30" barrel on an O/U. A 30" barrel on a semi-auto or pump gives me a little longer sight plane - which also helps me on my follow thru a little / but I'm 6'5" and 290 lbs with fairly long arms. If a 30" barrel feels too long / then go with a 28" barrel.

kilgore33 · November 6, 2008, 03:12 PM

Thanks BigJimP. Have the Benelli Nova Pump and love it. Wanted to explore Winchester/Browning. Both the Super X3 and the Silver series look good! Cheers.

BigJimP · November 6, 2008, 03:32 PM

You're welcome - personally, I own a Benelli Super Sport in 12 and 20ga - for semi-autos, and I think they're great guns - but I don't have any doubt one of the gas guns will meet your needs as well.

Gas guns require a little more time and effort - to keep them clean. I can have my Benelli fully stripped, clean and back in battery / while my buddy with his Rem 1100 is still working on his barrel ....it brings little tears to his eyes / and the names he calls me are pretty rude ....but we're friends. If they ever make a Super Sport in a left handed model / he'll have to buy one ...

November 6, 2008, 02:45 PM	#1
kilgore33 Junior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Posts: 6	Opinions on 12 Gauge Semi's Looking for an all around 12 gauge semi for Pheasant, Rabbit, Duck and anything else edible that doesn't require a tag. looked at the Browning Silver series, The Winchester Super X3 Composite and the Remington 1100. Any opinions on the quality, reliability of these guns. Own three other firearms, none Semi-Automatic. Trying to make the purchase before January 20th Last edited by kilgore33; November 6, 2008 at 03:18 PM.

November 6, 2008, 03:04 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 9,963	All of the Remington 870's are pump guns / not semi-autos. The 870 is a time tested pump gun / there are inexpensive versions like the express all the way up to the Wingmaster. Mossberg / Browning BPS are competitors - good pump guns as well. My personal preference on a pump gun is the Browning BPS. You get a lot of gun for the money, bottom ejection good for left or right handers, stocks are usually cast neutral (so lefties and right handed shooters ) have no issues. A 28" or 30" barrel is my preference for general hunting and clay target games if you go with a pump gun. Semi-autos... Browning owns Winchester ( for last 5 years or so ) so the Winchester X3 and the Browning Silver series are virtually identical to my eye. There may be some internal differences that I'm not aware of. I think you'll find them both to be good guns. Remington and Beretta also make good gas guns - and they are competitors with Browning / Winchester. My personal preference in semi-autos is Benelli - the inertia system shoots cleaner than any of the gas guns, it cycles quicker - and if you buy a gun with their comfort tech recoil system in it, I think its a very soft shooting gun. Lots of choices out there - in a semi-auto I like a 28 or 30" barrel. In general, the lighter the gun, the longer barrel I want on it - ( at least up to 30" ) - so it swings smoother and follows thru a little better. Because of the receiver length on a pump/semi-auto a 28" barrel on either type gun / gives you the same overall length as a 30" barrel on an O/U. A 30" barrel on a semi-auto or pump gives me a little longer sight plane - which also helps me on my follow thru a little / but I'm 6'5" and 290 lbs with fairly long arms. If a 30" barrel feels too long / then go with a 28" barrel.

November 6, 2008, 03:12 PM	#3
kilgore33 Junior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Posts: 6	Thanks BigJimP. Have the Benelli Nova Pump and love it. Wanted to explore Winchester/Browning. Both the Super X3 and the Silver series look good! Cheers.

November 6, 2008, 03:32 PM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 9,963	You're welcome - personally, I own a Benelli Super Sport in 12 and 20ga - for semi-autos, and I think they're great guns - but I don't have any doubt one of the gas guns will meet your needs as well. Gas guns require a little more time and effort - to keep them clean. I can have my Benelli fully stripped, clean and back in battery / while my buddy with his Rem 1100 is still working on his barrel ....it brings little tears to his eyes / and the names he calls me are pretty rude ....but we're friends. If they ever make a Super Sport in a left handed model / he'll have to buy one ...