Best Auto 3 1/2" Gun?

Kobra · November 21, 2001, 02:52 PM

Just curious what the going thought is on this. Obviously I already made my decision.

Dave McC · November 23, 2001, 08:05 AM

While I've no 3 1/2" gun, nor much interest in getting one, I'm following this with some interest. Right now, the Bennelli and the 11-87 are tied for first, but it's a small statistical sampling. Let's hope there's more contributions...

Zoso · November 24, 2001, 01:28 PM

When asking which one of these is the best, your asking a tough
question. The Benelli is by far the slickest of them all with its
rotating bolt, 5 choke tubes, and 5 year warranty. They are also
a smidge lighter. Since benelli/beretta has taken over Franchi their guns have gotten much more refined, and I would even
take it over the Browing. The remingtion I think is a thing of the
past, they are heavy and the actions are not up to par with the
italian guns. The browning and the winchester are basically the
same gun, the browning has a magazine cutoff where the winchester does not. Functionaly all guns mentioned will operate
great, but the Benelli is by far the leader, and the best seller of
the bunch (at least with my experience), but is also the most expensive $1178,(camo), and the Franchi camo is only $792.
I would look real hard at those two.

PJR · November 24, 2001, 06:47 PM

Go with a gas gun to reduce recoil

My choice is the Browning Gold because its a bit heavier than the rest and fits me well enough to reduce the recoil.

I've no interest in the 3-1/2" gun but the ones I've fired -- 870 and Benelli Nova -- are real snot bubblers particularly the Nova.

Zoso · November 26, 2001, 02:26 PM

You can buy a recoil reducer for the Nova, which makes the gun
very comfortable to shoot. Its true a gas gun will recoil less, but
it wil also get dirtier and require more cleaning, more often.

Kobra · November 26, 2001, 02:39 PM

I can't view the poll to see where it is at but it sounds like the Benelli is doing good.

I was wondering this after another buddy bought a X2 last week. I tended to make firearm purchases based on which gun is better technically and what people on this board recommend or hate whereas my buddies tend to buy what everyone else has around here or in this case G & Ammo's Gun of the Year.

I will be curious to see where this is later down the road.

Zoso · November 26, 2001, 03:12 PM

Also you need to know if you prefer a high rib barrel or a low rib barrel, the Benelli, Franchi have high ribs, where as the Winchester and the Browing have low ribs.

Kobra · November 27, 2001, 01:49 PM

I have really only begun to study shotgunning a couple years ago but I apparently prefer high ribs because I shot better with them, at least on clays....interesting point Zoso

Trapped in IA · November 28, 2001, 07:48 PM

I have had a Nova for 2 yrs now, wouldn't trade for nothing but another......Yes, it does have a KICK. Great starter gun, easy to disassemble, much better than an auto! I can dissassemble/clean/reassemble in about 15 minutes, this includes the bolt, etc, etc.

Zoso · November 29, 2001, 10:17 AM

Yes, a Nova would be a good way to go if you wish to save some money they run about $346, you can buy a recoil reducer for the Nova and the Super Black Eagle. As far as disassembly goes the auto Benellis are very easy to strip and clean as well, which is good if your into speed cleaning

.

Will Beararms · December 2, 2001, 10:26 PM

The SBE kicks like an insane mule with 3.5's. My 6'4" cutting horse trainer father grimaced after a day of heavy shooting with one. He went back to the 1187 SP 3.5. Additonally, the way the trigger guard is set up, it takes meat off the front of many folks' trigger finger.

43Rob · December 5, 2001, 05:31 PM

This is very interesting to me as I am soon to purchase a 3 1/2" auto. I had a Win 1400 that worked well and intially leaned toward the Win or Browning. But for the cost and avalability of repalcement parts I'm leaning toward the Remington. I know that the Benelli is a great shotgun but I have concerns as to shooting low brass skeet type (read practice) loads through it and having it cycle properly. Another question is does the camo finish help prevent rust or other problems? Any help is appreciated.

Zoso · December 5, 2001, 06:09 PM

The camo finish I would guess would only help on rust prevention, it is true that the Benelli autos will have trouble cycling the really low 2/34 loads, althought I'm not sure they all might have that problem, if your going to shoot a lot of light loads, just by a 3 inch gun.

Kobra · December 6, 2001, 01:29 PM

Mine Benelli cycles all loads fine. The light loads fire out it just fine.

View Poll Results: Best 3 1/2" Auto Shotgun??
Benelli Super Black Eagle	12	50.00%
Remington 11/87	3	12.50%
Winchester Super X2	3	12.50%
Browning Gold	6	25.00%
Franchi	0	0%
Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll

November 21, 2001, 02:52 PM	#1
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	Best Auto 3 1/2" Gun? Just curious what the going thought is on this. Obviously I already made my decision.

November 24, 2001, 01:28 PM	#3
Zoso Member Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 30	No good answer When asking which one of these is the best, your asking a tough question. The Benelli is by far the slickest of them all with its rotating bolt, 5 choke tubes, and 5 year warranty. They are also a smidge lighter. Since benelli/beretta has taken over Franchi their guns have gotten much more refined, and I would even take it over the Browing. The remingtion I think is a thing of the past, they are heavy and the actions are not up to par with the italian guns. The browning and the winchester are basically the same gun, the browning has a magazine cutoff where the winchester does not. Functionaly all guns mentioned will operate great, but the Benelli is by far the leader, and the best seller of the bunch (at least with my experience), but is also the most expensive $1178,(camo), and the Franchi camo is only $792. I would look real hard at those two.

November 26, 2001, 02:26 PM	#5
Zoso Member Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 30	Recoil reducer You can buy a recoil reducer for the Nova, which makes the gun very comfortable to shoot. Its true a gas gun will recoil less, but it wil also get dirtier and require more cleaning, more often.

November 26, 2001, 03:12 PM	#7
Zoso Member Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 30	Browning Benelli Also you need to know if you prefer a high rib barrel or a low rib barrel, the Benelli, Franchi have high ribs, where as the Winchester and the Browing have low ribs.

November 23, 2001, 08:05 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	While I've no 3 1/2" gun, nor much interest in getting one, I'm following this with some interest. Right now, the Bennelli and the 11-87 are tied for first, but it's a small statistical sampling. Let's hope there's more contributions...

November 24, 2001, 06:47 PM	#4
PJR Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Posts: 1,127	Go with a gas gun to reduce recoil My choice is the Browning Gold because its a bit heavier than the rest and fits me well enough to reduce the recoil. I've no interest in the 3-1/2" gun but the ones I've fired -- 870 and Benelli Nova -- are real snot bubblers particularly the Nova.

November 26, 2001, 02:39 PM	#6
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	I can't view the poll to see where it is at but it sounds like the Benelli is doing good. I was wondering this after another buddy bought a X2 last week. I tended to make firearm purchases based on which gun is better technically and what people on this board recommend or hate whereas my buddies tend to buy what everyone else has around here or in this case G & Ammo's Gun of the Year. I will be curious to see where this is later down the road.

November 27, 2001, 01:49 PM	#8
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	I have really only begun to study shotgunning a couple years ago but I apparently prefer high ribs because I shot better with them, at least on clays....interesting point Zoso

November 28, 2001, 07:48 PM	#9
Trapped in IA Junior Member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 2	Benelli Nova I have had a Nova for 2 yrs now, wouldn't trade for nothing but another......Yes, it does have a KICK. Great starter gun, easy to disassemble, much better than an auto! I can dissassemble/clean/reassemble in about 15 minutes, this includes the bolt, etc, etc. __________________ Thanks in advance, I think...

November 29, 2001, 10:17 AM	#10
Zoso Member Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 30	Nova's are good. Yes, a Nova would be a good way to go if you wish to save some money they run about $346, you can buy a recoil reducer for the Nova and the Super Black Eagle. As far as disassembly goes the auto Benellis are very easy to strip and clean as well, which is good if your into speed cleaning .

December 2, 2001, 10:26 PM	#11
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	Word to the wise: The SBE kicks like an insane mule with 3.5's. My 6'4" cutting horse trainer father grimaced after a day of heavy shooting with one. He went back to the 1187 SP 3.5. Additonally, the way the trigger guard is set up, it takes meat off the front of many folks' trigger finger. __________________ "Without a rifle you are nothing, worthless, you are waiting for death, any minute, any second." -- Aron Bielski

December 5, 2001, 05:31 PM	#12
43Rob Member Join Date: September 19, 2000 Posts: 26	This is very interesting to me as I am soon to purchase a 3 1/2" auto. I had a Win 1400 that worked well and intially leaned toward the Win or Browning. But for the cost and avalability of repalcement parts I'm leaning toward the Remington. I know that the Benelli is a great shotgun but I have concerns as to shooting low brass skeet type (read practice) loads through it and having it cycle properly. Another question is does the camo finish help prevent rust or other problems? Any help is appreciated.

December 5, 2001, 06:09 PM	#13
Zoso Member Join Date: November 24, 2001 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 30	Couldn't hurt The camo finish I would guess would only help on rust prevention, it is true that the Benelli autos will have trouble cycling the really low 2/34 loads, althought I'm not sure they all might have that problem, if your going to shoot a lot of light loads, just by a 3 inch gun.

December 6, 2001, 01:29 PM	#14
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	Mine Benelli cycles all loads fine. The light loads fire out it just fine.