12 ga Semi recommendations please!

jnsn · September 8, 2002, 09:37 PM

My wife has been shooting a 20ga A5 for a few years. As she gets more into hunting she is thinking abot getting a 12 but wants to get a semi-auto. I have always used pumps so I lack expertise. What are your thoughts about which models to consider? She would be going for geese, duck,and pheasant.Thanks for your help!

Andrew Wyatt · September 8, 2002, 10:18 PM

why not get a 12 gauge auto 5? that would probably be the best gun for her, considering.

Kingcreek · September 8, 2002, 10:47 PM

Beretta 390 or 391 (assuming 3.5" mag is not required).
the stock fit is adjustable, reliabilty is excellent with all loads 2.75 and 3", recoil of the gas auto is quite tolerable, and the 390 synthetic stock version can still be found for around $530.

beagle1 · September 9, 2002, 09:13 AM

I have the A5 in both 20 and 12 and also the 391 in 12 which I got this spring for skeet.
I think that if your wifes 20 does not have the changeable chokes that it would be a good idea to have them installed,other than that if the 20 A5 fits her stick with it,its lighter and will do the job just as well[hunting].
If she is going to get into heavy shooting of skeet or trap then I would advise getting her the 391 gold sporting [very little percieved recoil.
You can't beat those A5's for hunting !!
Best ,Charlie

ReadyOnTheRight · September 11, 2002, 01:29 PM

A Beretta 391 or Benelli Montefeltro will be my next shotgun -- probably not until next season. I really like the feel of both.

After some research, it seems the Montifeltro is best for straight waterfowl hunting -- light, excellent action, easy to clean, but the 391 is a little heavier and has a better follow-through if you are also going to shoot sporting clays with the gun.

HerrJaegermeister · September 11, 2002, 01:54 PM

My longtime hunting partner uses the Remington 11-87 semi and is more than happy with it. He has a matching Reminton SP-10 for goose hunting. He has a rifled barrel for his 11-87 for deer also.

Depending on how tall your wife is, youth stocks are available. These can be adjusted with a thicker recoil pad for an in between fit.

There should be lots of used Remington 1100s around too with lots of barrel options.

I rave about my 870 Wingmaster, but the semi-auto flavor Rems are great too.

Bye

hksigwalther · September 11, 2002, 06:13 PM

I have a few Benelli senis but if you're just looking for function and want to save a little money, I'd go with an 1187. Mine has worked extremely well from light target loads to mags and slugs all with less recoil than the M1s and M3s I have.

9x19mm · September 13, 2002, 02:59 PM

My vote goes to.............. Franchi 612

Stay Safe

retiredsquid · September 13, 2002, 03:48 PM

My vote would go for either the Winchester Super X2 or Browning Gold Hunter series.
Rich

mikey357 · September 14, 2002, 05:09 AM

Having owned several of the recent and current-production 12 ga. autoloaders, I'd recommend a Remington 1100 or 11-87...LOTS of accessories and stocks available, as well as different barrels, choke tubes, etc.--reliable, soft-shooting and a good value, too--my two cents' worth....mikey357

jnsn · September 15, 2002, 06:57 PM

thanks for the input everybody. I think that I will have to borrow some one's for her to see because we went the other morning and she used my winny 1300 and I used an old marlin bolt action. I got two geese and she got one goose and and one big bruise. I don't know if she was holding it off her shoulder or what. I do not know how much of a recoil difference there is between a pump and a semi, but this might have set the idea back.

Kobra · September 16, 2002, 12:30 PM

I second the recommendation for a 12ga A-5. Will find me a good one some day to compliment dad's 16ga A-5.

September 8, 2002, 09:37 PM	#1
jnsn Member Join Date: September 29, 1999 Posts: 79	12 ga Semi recommendations please! My wife has been shooting a 20ga A5 for a few years. As she gets more into hunting she is thinking abot getting a 12 but wants to get a semi-auto. I have always used pumps so I lack expertise. What are your thoughts about which models to consider? She would be going for geese, duck,and pheasant.Thanks for your help!

September 9, 2002, 09:13 AM	#4
beagle1 Member Join Date: December 23, 2001 Location: Maine Posts: 17	Keep what you have I have the A5 in both 20 and 12 and also the 391 in 12 which I got this spring for skeet. I think that if your wifes 20 does not have the changeable chokes that it would be a good idea to have them installed,other than that if the 20 A5 fits her stick with it,its lighter and will do the job just as well[hunting]. If she is going to get into heavy shooting of skeet or trap then I would advise getting her the 391 gold sporting [very little percieved recoil. You can't beat those A5's for hunting !! Best ,Charlie

September 11, 2002, 01:29 PM	#5
ReadyOnTheRight Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2002 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 377	A Beretta 391 or Benelli Montefeltro will be my next shotgun -- probably not until next season. I really like the feel of both. After some research, it seems the Montifeltro is best for straight waterfowl hunting -- light, excellent action, easy to clean, but the 391 is a little heavier and has a better follow-through if you are also going to shoot sporting clays with the gun. __________________ "Personal weapons are what raised mankind out of the mud, and the rifle is the queen of personal weapons. The possession of a good rifle, as well as the skill to use it well, truly makes a man the monarch of all he surveys." -Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle-

September 11, 2002, 01:54 PM	#6
HerrJaegermeister Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2001 Location: Sioux City, Iowa Posts: 126	Hunting partner happy with 11-87 My longtime hunting partner uses the Remington 11-87 semi and is more than happy with it. He has a matching Reminton SP-10 for goose hunting. He has a rifled barrel for his 11-87 for deer also. Depending on how tall your wife is, youth stocks are available. These can be adjusted with a thicker recoil pad for an in between fit. There should be lots of used Remington 1100s around too with lots of barrel options. I rave about my 870 Wingmaster, but the semi-auto flavor Rems are great too. Bye

September 11, 2002, 06:13 PM	#7
hksigwalther Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1998 Location: NE OH, USA Posts: 3,198	I have a few Benelli senis but if you're just looking for function and want to save a little money, I'd go with an 1187. Mine has worked extremely well from light target loads to mags and slugs all with less recoil than the M1s and M3s I have. __________________ - Ron V.

September 8, 2002, 10:18 PM	#2
Andrew Wyatt Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Bakersfield, Kommiefornia Posts: 549	why not get a 12 gauge auto 5? that would probably be the best gun for her, considering.

September 8, 2002, 10:47 PM	#3
Kingcreek Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: rural Illinois Posts: 590	Beretta 390 or 391 (assuming 3.5" mag is not required). the stock fit is adjustable, reliabilty is excellent with all loads 2.75 and 3", recoil of the gas auto is quite tolerable, and the 390 synthetic stock version can still be found for around $530.

September 13, 2002, 02:59 PM	#8
9x19mm Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2001 Location: Europe Posts: 103	My vote goes to.............. Franchi 612 Stay Safe

September 13, 2002, 03:48 PM	#9
retiredsquid Member Join Date: July 28, 2002 Location: Northwest Arkansas Posts: 83	My vote would go for either the Winchester Super X2 or Browning Gold Hunter series. Rich

September 14, 2002, 05:09 AM	#10
mikey357 Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2000 Location: Griffin, GA, USA Posts: 743	Having owned several of the recent and current-production 12 ga. autoloaders, I'd recommend a Remington 1100 or 11-87...LOTS of accessories and stocks available, as well as different barrels, choke tubes, etc.--reliable, soft-shooting and a good value, too--my two cents' worth....mikey357 __________________ mikey357, TFL Member # 7556

September 15, 2002, 06:57 PM	#11
jnsn Member Join Date: September 29, 1999 Posts: 79	thanks for the input everybody. I think that I will have to borrow some one's for her to see because we went the other morning and she used my winny 1300 and I used an old marlin bolt action. I got two geese and she got one goose and and one big bruise. I don't know if she was holding it off her shoulder or what. I do not know how much of a recoil difference there is between a pump and a semi, but this might have set the idea back.

September 16, 2002, 12:30 PM	#12
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	I second the recommendation for a 12ga A-5. Will find me a good one some day to compliment dad's 16ga A-5.