What Semi-Auto Shotgun?

MP-44 · January 1, 2020, 07:04 AM

All-around use; rabbits, squirrels. doves and very, very informal clay pigeons. I want quality & walnut. I have a Benelli M4 so I am covered in the slug & buckshot department. I would like to keep the purchase under 1k

I have considered finding a used, local Remington 1100, used S&W 1000, and a new Beretta A300 Outlander. These choices were mainly due to looks, price and I stumbled across them.

Any reason t stay away from a used 1100 that looks well taken care of? A lot have fixed chokes.

Suggestions, opinions and info would be appreciated...TIA!

oldshotty · January 1, 2020, 08:54 AM

You should look at the V3, it has a very good modern gas system similar to the M4.

MP-44 · January 1, 2020, 09:03 AM

Quote:

You should look at the V3, it has a very good modern gas system similar to the M4.

Thanks, that does look like it meets my needs and I like the looks.

MP-44 · January 1, 2020, 11:55 AM

Quote:

You should look at the V3, it has a very good modern gas system similar to the M4.

26" or 28" ?

Ben Dover · January 1, 2020, 02:32 PM

My preference is the Remington 1100.

Time tested and well proven.

Virginian · January 1, 2020, 04:06 PM

I still prefer the looks of polished bluing and the feel of a steel receiver, so I would go 1100 or an 11-87 premier if you want 3" capability.

44caliberkid · January 1, 2020, 05:27 PM

As a young man, my dad invested in a new Browning Auto 5 in 16 gauge, and it was the only shotgun he ever owned, used for everything from geese down to clays. In 1979, my then new bride gifted me with a Browning Auto 5 Light Twelve for Christmas. It has been the only shotgun I have ever used, except for a SxS double for Cowboy shooting. Beautiful blue, excellent wood, never failed, and I always felt confident shooting it.

Scorch · January 2, 2020, 01:26 AM

Agree, Browning Auto-5 over anything else. Or a Benelli Super Black Eagle, possibly as reliable as an Auto-5.

Virginian · January 2, 2020, 11:45 AM

I had a Browning Auto 5 once, that was more than enough. Nothing wrong with them but not for me. I like the feel and pointability of an 1100 or 11-87. In truth I shoot a Wingmaster better than anything else I have ever owned, and that includes a whole bunch of shotguns.

chadio · January 2, 2020, 12:02 PM

Been shooting the Beretta AL 391 for a spell....

It is a pleasure to shoot, a challenge to clean, but worth it to me.

FITASC · January 2, 2020, 01:14 PM

Depends on one's budget. The Berettas are great shotguns, but pricier than others.

T. O'Heir · January 2, 2020, 02:28 PM

Waterfowl seasons over in VA? Only matters because that's the time to be looking at used shotguns in shops.
"...a used 1100..." Probably the easiest to find and to find 'stuff' for than any Italian shotgun.
Like FITASC says, it'll depend mostly on your budget. But also the relative availability of barrels and/or choke tubes. Any waterfowl in the mix? Choke tubes or not water birds need a different barrel length than upland critters.

dgludwig · January 2, 2020, 06:07 PM

I'd look for something that is not so much different as it is special, a Browning Double Auto. Still findable and still affordable, this 12 gauge, two-shot only, Belgium-made shotgun, designed by John Browning's son, Val, has a "short-recoil" action which allows it to have one of the shortest, if not the shortest, receiver of any semi-auto shotgun. The receivers were mostly made of alloy but the earliest ones could also be had in steel. The alloy versions came in several different colors and all Double Auto receivers were hand-engraved.

I've had many, many repeating shotguns over the years but none handle as well for me as the Double Auto.

tmd47762 · January 2, 2020, 10:47 PM

The used 1100 is a hard idea to beat. 12 or 20 would do what you ask of it just fine. Clean them regularly and they will work.

XDforever · January 4, 2020, 03:12 PM

Mossberg just released their 940 JM. Semi automatic replacement for the 930 line. It looks great! First model released has the 24" barrels and 9+1.

I am going to wait until they release an 18"-20" model before I jump though.

Joe

reynolds357 · January 5, 2020, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MP-44

All-around use; rabbits, squirrels. doves and very, very informal clay pigeons. I want quality & walnut. I have a Benelli M4 so I am covered in the slug & buckshot department. I would like to keep the purchase under 1k

I have considered finding a used, local Remington 1100, used S&W 1000, and a new Beretta A300 Outlander. These choices were mainly due to looks, price and I stumbled across them.

Any reason t stay away from a used 1100 that looks well taken care of? A lot have fixed chokes.

Suggestions, opinions and info would be appreciated...TIA!

The V3 is awesome. Leave the S&W alone. I have one torn down in a box trying to find two parts I need to fix it.

scottycoyote · January 6, 2020, 11:48 AM

i just picked up a browning maxus in a trade a few months back and so far im pretty impressed....i like how easily it breaks down and 2 weeks ago shot a round of sporting clays with nary a hiccup.

Also a fan of the benelli black eagle, you should be able to find either of these either on sale or used for $1k

JWT · January 6, 2020, 03:24 PM

Remington 1100 in very good used shape are not hard to find.
Cannot go wrong with one of those.

Auto5 · January 9, 2020, 10:05 PM

I might be partial to the Auto 5. I've got 4 of 'em.

std7mag · January 10, 2020, 03:45 AM

I bought a CZ720 this past spring.
Comes in a really nice (to me) plastic case, with socks for barrel and buttstock/action.
5 chokes with tool in plastic case.

I originally bought it for spring turkey, but just ended up taking it out for walks.

I've been doing some squirrel, pheasant, rabbit hunting this fall/winter.
Love this gun!
Have been steadily filling the freezer.
Accurate, light weight, soft recoil, easy to clean.
$500.

I highly recommend them!!

Rob228 · January 11, 2020, 05:41 AM

1100s are great, Berettas are too but you spend some more. No experience with the S&W. If you like it and it fits, you will not go wrong with the 1100 or the A300.

HighDesert · January 11, 2020, 10:40 AM

Another vote for the Benelli Super Sport, if you’re going semi auto. Love the 1100 and 1187s I’ve shot. Very nice rifles. Biggest deterrent for me on those were their weight. Not noticeable, when you shoot a couple of boxes, but you rarely shoot 50 rounds when out blasting clays. More like 3 - 400 when I’m out with my crew having fun. The Remingtons are heavy. I’m no weakling, but I don’t weigh a ton either, so weight is a factor when hanging a barrel out in front of me over and over.

There’s a huge difference in how the Remington and Benelli shoot tough. To me, Remington is a bit softer and feels like it pushes back on you longer, whereas the Benelli is a really short pop to the shoulder. My right shoulder is a mess from previous injuries, but the Benelli doesn’t hurt it, so not like the “pop” is a concern. The two shoot way different though. I’ve shot a couple of Barrettes too. Nice rifles, but didn’t get a chance to cycle them as long as the other two, so can’t say how they compare as with the above. Was really thinking about getting my wife one though. She love the 20g she was firing...

roadrocket · January 17, 2020, 11:15 AM

the breda semi autos are not mentioned i have 3 of them and have had no issues with them they are an excellent gun.

Husqvarna · February 14, 2020, 01:09 PM

Franchi affinity

Inertia

Mine has been 100% even with 24gram loads

Lightweight

MP-44 · February 14, 2020, 01:14 PM

I ended up going a completely different route, I acquired a Browning Citori

January 1, 2020, 07:04 AM	#1
MP-44 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: VA Posts: 396	What Semi-Auto Shotgun? All-around use; rabbits, squirrels. doves and very, very informal clay pigeons. I want quality & walnut. I have a Benelli M4 so I am covered in the slug & buckshot department. I would like to keep the purchase under 1k I have considered finding a used, local Remington 1100, used S&W 1000, and a new Beretta A300 Outlander. These choices were mainly due to looks, price and I stumbled across them. Any reason t stay away from a used 1100 that looks well taken care of? A lot have fixed chokes. Suggestions, opinions and info would be appreciated...TIA!

January 1, 2020, 02:32 PM	#5
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	My preference is the Remington 1100. Time tested and well proven. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

January 1, 2020, 04:06 PM	#6
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	I still prefer the looks of polished bluing and the feel of a steel receiver, so I would go 1100 or an 11-87 premier if you want 3" capability. __________________ What could have happened... did.

January 2, 2020, 01:26 AM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Agree, Browning Auto-5 over anything else. Or a Benelli Super Black Eagle, possibly as reliable as an Auto-5. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 2, 2020, 11:45 AM	#9
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	I had a Browning Auto 5 once, that was more than enough. Nothing wrong with them but not for me. I like the feel and pointability of an 1100 or 11-87. In truth I shoot a Wingmaster better than anything else I have ever owned, and that includes a whole bunch of shotguns. __________________ What could have happened... did.

January 1, 2020, 08:54 AM	#2
oldshotty Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2018 Posts: 12	You should look at the V3, it has a very good modern gas system similar to the M4.

January 1, 2020, 05:27 PM	#7
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,098	As a young man, my dad invested in a new Browning Auto 5 in 16 gauge, and it was the only shotgun he ever owned, used for everything from geese down to clays. In 1979, my then new bride gifted me with a Browning Auto 5 Light Twelve for Christmas. It has been the only shotgun I have ever used, except for a SxS double for Cowboy shooting. Beautiful blue, excellent wood, never failed, and I always felt confident shooting it.

January 2, 2020, 12:02 PM	#10
chadio Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2011 Posts: 931	Been shooting the Beretta AL 391 for a spell.... It is a pleasure to shoot, a challenge to clean, but worth it to me. __________________ Ex - Navy, Persian Gulf Veteran. Loved shooting the M14, 1911, M60, M2

January 2, 2020, 01:14 PM	#11
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,443	Depends on one's budget. The Berettas are great shotguns, but pricier than others. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

January 2, 2020, 02:28 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Waterfowl seasons over in VA? Only matters because that's the time to be looking at used shotguns in shops. "...a used 1100..." Probably the easiest to find and to find 'stuff' for than any Italian shotgun. Like FITASC says, it'll depend mostly on your budget. But also the relative availability of barrels and/or choke tubes. Any waterfowl in the mix? Choke tubes or not water birds need a different barrel length than upland critters. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 2, 2020, 06:07 PM	#13
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I'd look for something that is not so much different as it is special, a Browning Double Auto. Still findable and still affordable, this 12 gauge, two-shot only, Belgium-made shotgun, designed by John Browning's son, Val, has a "short-recoil" action which allows it to have one of the shortest, if not the shortest, receiver of any semi-auto shotgun. The receivers were mostly made of alloy but the earliest ones could also be had in steel. The alloy versions came in several different colors and all Double Auto receivers were hand-engraved. I've had many, many repeating shotguns over the years but none handle as well for me as the Double Auto. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

January 2, 2020, 10:47 PM	#14
tmd47762 Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 96	The used 1100 is a hard idea to beat. 12 or 20 would do what you ask of it just fine. Clean them regularly and they will work.

January 4, 2020, 03:12 PM	#15
XDforever Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 171	Mossberg just released their 940 JM. Semi automatic replacement for the 930 line. It looks great! First model released has the 24" barrels and 9+1. I am going to wait until they release an 18"-20" model before I jump though. Joe

January 6, 2020, 11:48 AM	#17
scottycoyote Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2005 Location: southwestern va Posts: 830	i just picked up a browning maxus in a trade a few months back and so far im pretty impressed....i like how easily it breaks down and 2 weeks ago shot a round of sporting clays with nary a hiccup. Also a fan of the benelli black eagle, you should be able to find either of these either on sale or used for $1k __________________ "i got the most powerful gun in the world........an .88 magnum. It shoots thru schools......"

January 6, 2020, 03:24 PM	#18
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Remington 1100 in very good used shape are not hard to find. Cannot go wrong with one of those.

January 9, 2020, 10:05 PM	#19
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	I might be partial to the Auto 5. I've got 4 of 'em. __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

January 10, 2020, 03:45 AM	#20
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I bought a CZ720 this past spring. Comes in a really nice (to me) plastic case, with socks for barrel and buttstock/action. 5 chokes with tool in plastic case. I originally bought it for spring turkey, but just ended up taking it out for walks. I've been doing some squirrel, pheasant, rabbit hunting this fall/winter. Love this gun! Have been steadily filling the freezer. Accurate, light weight, soft recoil, easy to clean. $500. I highly recommend them!! __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

January 11, 2020, 05:41 AM	#21
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Hampstead NC Posts: 1,450	1100s are great, Berettas are too but you spend some more. No experience with the S&W. If you like it and it fits, you will not go wrong with the 1100 or the A300.

January 11, 2020, 10:40 AM	#22
HighDesert Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2014 Posts: 128	Another vote for the Benelli Super Sport, if you’re going semi auto. Love the 1100 and 1187s I’ve shot. Very nice rifles. Biggest deterrent for me on those were their weight. Not noticeable, when you shoot a couple of boxes, but you rarely shoot 50 rounds when out blasting clays. More like 3 - 400 when I’m out with my crew having fun. The Remingtons are heavy. I’m no weakling, but I don’t weigh a ton either, so weight is a factor when hanging a barrel out in front of me over and over. There’s a huge difference in how the Remington and Benelli shoot tough. To me, Remington is a bit softer and feels like it pushes back on you longer, whereas the Benelli is a really short pop to the shoulder. My right shoulder is a mess from previous injuries, but the Benelli doesn’t hurt it, so not like the “pop” is a concern. The two shoot way different though. I’ve shot a couple of Barrettes too. Nice rifles, but didn’t get a chance to cycle them as long as the other two, so can’t say how they compare as with the above. Was really thinking about getting my wife one though. She love the 20g she was firing...

January 17, 2020, 11:15 AM	#23
roadrocket Member Join Date: September 17, 2007 Posts: 72	semi autos the breda semi autos are not mentioned i have 3 of them and have had no issues with them they are an excellent gun.

February 14, 2020, 01:09 PM	#24
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	Franchi affinity Inertia Mine has been 100% even with 24gram loads Lightweight

February 14, 2020, 01:14 PM	#25
MP-44 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: VA Posts: 396	I ended up going a completely different route, I acquired a Browning Citori