my screwed up shoulder

ammo.crafter · June 23, 2011, 08:10 PM

Anyone have a suggestion for a 12ga semi-auto that's a soft shooter?
I have the opportunity to pick up a Bennelli Legacy at $1300.

Anyone know this gun?

I shoot a gas operated 20ga Remington G-3 and it's a dream as far as noticable recoil, but I do miss shooting a 12ga.

THX

baddarryl · June 23, 2011, 09:12 PM

Exact reason I picked up a Rem 1100. Shot 100 shells (just target loads) no issues at all with shoulder.

Rugerismisticness · June 23, 2011, 09:31 PM

I would recommend the cordoba, it is a softer shooting benelli than the Legacy and it is a bit cheaper with a few more valuable features. Wood stocked benellis aren't as soft as their comfortech counterparts, but they certainly don't kick as bad as a poorly fitted shotgun or a 391. Benellis come with shim kits that allow you to fit yourself to the gun. I'm recieving a 28" cordoba mid July to go with my Monte and Nova. I have usually have a Briley barrel wieght, this reduces recoil further and improves swing.

Other shotguns, like the A400 with KO, Rem 105CTI II (yes, the "I's" had bad reps, but the IIs work well), and Maxus are soft kickers. Have a go at the new maxus sporting (the wood one).

Randy Wakeman over on SGW has a website where he reviews and thourougly tests shotguns and other things, I think the site was Randywakeman.com or something along those lines. I know he has insight on the Vinci, Maxus, A400, Versamax (think Nissan Versa whenever you hear Versamax) and some other guns.

shortwave · June 24, 2011, 08:07 AM

Another Rem. 1100 vote. Heavy, but one of the softest shooting 12's ever made.

Rifleman1776 · June 24, 2011, 08:54 AM

What is wrong with your shoulder? Do get checked and if needs surgery do not delay. I am one who knows.
By reputation, the Benneli is most comfortable shooter out there when it comes to recoil.

oneounceload · June 24, 2011, 09:00 AM

I have rotator issues with my shooting shoulder (long past due and next on the surgery list)

What is going to make a difference is shooting the HEAVIEST gun you can with the lightest loads. A GAS action, (not inertia), will aid in felt recoil by elongating the recoil pulse over a few more milliseconds. Recoil reducing devices like Bumpbuster, Gracoil, Gsquared, JS, etc. also add weight and extend the pulse.

My 12 is about 8.25# and I shoot soft and slow 7/8 oz loads. The advantage of an O/U is that I can even go down to 3/4oz loads and not worry about whether there is enough OOMPH to work the action for the second shot

AllenJ · June 24, 2011, 09:17 AM

I'm not sure I would even consider a Benelli if I had shoulder issues. They are built for reliability, not low recoil. Have you considered a Browning Maxus? They advertise they are the softest shooting semi on the market. I have shot them and 1100's and both feel about the same, the Browning is just much lighter.

BigJimP · June 24, 2011, 12:27 PM

Having been thru a complete shoulder rebuild --- rotator cuff, bone spurs and torn bicep ...shooting didn't cause it / but it didn't make it better either.

+1 on OneOunces input ....but when you have shoulder issues - the weight of the gun becomes an issue too. Everybody is different / but before the surgery - I couldn't mount and swing an 8 1/2 lb gun ...or it would really tear my shoulder up ...so I had to go to a lighter gun ( or to a smaller gague / like a 28ga ) ...

I like the Benelli - but if you go with a Benelli it will have to have the comfort tech system in it - so it has to be synthetic - like the Super Sport model or it will give you too much recoil. Saying one model of Benelli is softer to shoot ...is only relevent - if its a heavier gun / and none of their wood stocked guns are softer shooting than the comfort tech guns.

For a gas gun / in terms of recoil they're all about the same - and I'd look at the Beretta 391's, Browning Silver series or Win SX3's ( same as Browning), or Browning Maxus, or maybe a Rem 1100 or 11-87 but the 1100 and the 11-87 are old technology. Go with the heaviest gun you can handle comfortably / and shoot the lightest load the gun will cycle ....but many gas guns will cycle 7/8 oz loads at 1150 fps ...most of the Benelli's will not. For most of the Benelli's you will have to go up to 1200 fps ...and maybe a 1oz shell. It may not cycle a 7/8 oz shell - unless you push the velocity up a little more.

oneounceload · June 24, 2011, 01:42 PM

Of course, IF it is only going to be for clay games, the expensive, but nice, Beretta UGB Excel, a hybrid semi gas, break-open gun, is worth looking into (well, except for the price); otherwise to add to Jim's suggestions, the new Beretta A400 with the Kick off can be had in wood - fairly light at about 7#, (or the sporting model at about 8), newer gas system design that "cleans itself - (Beretta's words)

Remember, there are TWO recoils to be concerned with - actual and felt.

Actual is what does the deep-down damage over time - heavy gun plus light, slow loads is what reduces this

Felt - is the "kick" people talk about - is due to gun fit and is what cause cheek slap, bruises, etc - "surface" damage if you will - that is where proper fit and recoil pads, and other devices come in to make it "FEEL" less than what it is.

Talk to your doctor about your shoulder and see what he says

BigJimP · June 24, 2011, 02:14 PM

I was unloading my truck the other day - when I got home from the range ...and my wife asked if I needed any help ....??

I said sure honey, will you clean these 3 guns ...and then lock them up please ....( she said sure, I'll just stick them out on the lawn / and cycle the sprinkler system ....)

....good thing she's cute / cause she's mean ....

" self cleaning gas system " ...thats up there in the oxy-morons .../ but I will say ...they are supposed to be getting better ...and they probably are...

Old Grump · June 24, 2011, 02:43 PM

Having gone through one surgery and looking at another on my other shoulder. My advice is to look elsewhere. Lovely gun but it is a light gun and picking up a heavier gun that fits you well is going to be a lot nicer on your shoulder. That is the only reason I can shoot my 10 gauge after rotator cuff surgery. 36" of heavy barrel really tames the beast. I have a single shot 12 gauge belonging to my Great Grandfather that I can barely tolerate with light loads of #7 1/2 shot in it. It's also why most of my shooting is done with a 20 gauge.

Dos Centavos from a dinosaur whats been dere dun dat.

anonymousFolk · June 27, 2011, 07:12 PM

+1 on the 7/8 loads, big difference. Although it seemed great to save a few bucks whilst shooting at clays, quickly learned that bargain target load ammo was bargain for a reason.

June 23, 2011, 08:10 PM	#1
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	my screwed up shoulder Anyone have a suggestion for a 12ga semi-auto that's a soft shooter? I have the opportunity to pick up a Bennelli Legacy at $1300. Anyone know this gun? I shoot a gas operated 20ga Remington G-3 and it's a dream as far as noticable recoil, but I do miss shooting a 12ga. THX __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

June 24, 2011, 02:43 PM	#11
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Having gone through one surgery and looking at another on my other shoulder. My advice is to look elsewhere. Lovely gun but it is a light gun and picking up a heavier gun that fits you well is going to be a lot nicer on your shoulder. That is the only reason I can shoot my 10 gauge after rotator cuff surgery. 36" of heavy barrel really tames the beast. I have a single shot 12 gauge belonging to my Great Grandfather that I can barely tolerate with light loads of #7 1/2 shot in it. It's also why most of my shooting is done with a 20 gauge. Dos Centavos from a dinosaur whats been dere dun dat. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

June 23, 2011, 09:12 PM	#2
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Exact reason I picked up a Rem 1100. Shot 100 shells (just target loads) no issues at all with shoulder.

June 23, 2011, 09:31 PM	#3
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	I would recommend the cordoba, it is a softer shooting benelli than the Legacy and it is a bit cheaper with a few more valuable features. Wood stocked benellis aren't as soft as their comfortech counterparts, but they certainly don't kick as bad as a poorly fitted shotgun or a 391. Benellis come with shim kits that allow you to fit yourself to the gun. I'm recieving a 28" cordoba mid July to go with my Monte and Nova. I have usually have a Briley barrel wieght, this reduces recoil further and improves swing. Other shotguns, like the A400 with KO, Rem 105CTI II (yes, the "I's" had bad reps, but the IIs work well), and Maxus are soft kickers. Have a go at the new maxus sporting (the wood one). Randy Wakeman over on SGW has a website where he reviews and thourougly tests shotguns and other things, I think the site was Randywakeman.com or something along those lines. I know he has insight on the Vinci, Maxus, A400, Versamax (think Nissan Versa whenever you hear Versamax) and some other guns.

June 24, 2011, 08:07 AM	#4
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Another Rem. 1100 vote. Heavy, but one of the softest shooting 12's ever made.

June 24, 2011, 08:54 AM	#5
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	What is wrong with your shoulder? Do get checked and if needs surgery do not delay. I am one who knows. By reputation, the Benneli is most comfortable shooter out there when it comes to recoil.

June 24, 2011, 09:00 AM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I have rotator issues with my shooting shoulder (long past due and next on the surgery list) What is going to make a difference is shooting the HEAVIEST gun you can with the lightest loads. A GAS action, (not inertia), will aid in felt recoil by elongating the recoil pulse over a few more milliseconds. Recoil reducing devices like Bumpbuster, Gracoil, Gsquared, JS, etc. also add weight and extend the pulse. My 12 is about 8.25# and I shoot soft and slow 7/8 oz loads. The advantage of an O/U is that I can even go down to 3/4oz loads and not worry about whether there is enough OOMPH to work the action for the second shot

June 24, 2011, 09:17 AM	#7
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	I'm not sure I would even consider a Benelli if I had shoulder issues. They are built for reliability, not low recoil. Have you considered a Browning Maxus? They advertise they are the softest shooting semi on the market. I have shot them and 1100's and both feel about the same, the Browning is just much lighter.

June 24, 2011, 12:27 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Having been thru a complete shoulder rebuild --- rotator cuff, bone spurs and torn bicep ...shooting didn't cause it / but it didn't make it better either. +1 on OneOunces input ....but when you have shoulder issues - the weight of the gun becomes an issue too. Everybody is different / but before the surgery - I couldn't mount and swing an 8 1/2 lb gun ...or it would really tear my shoulder up ...so I had to go to a lighter gun ( or to a smaller gague / like a 28ga ) ... I like the Benelli - but if you go with a Benelli it will have to have the comfort tech system in it - so it has to be synthetic - like the Super Sport model or it will give you too much recoil. Saying one model of Benelli is softer to shoot ...is only relevent - if its a heavier gun / and none of their wood stocked guns are softer shooting than the comfort tech guns. For a gas gun / in terms of recoil they're all about the same - and I'd look at the Beretta 391's, Browning Silver series or Win SX3's ( same as Browning), or Browning Maxus, or maybe a Rem 1100 or 11-87 but the 1100 and the 11-87 are old technology. Go with the heaviest gun you can handle comfortably / and shoot the lightest load the gun will cycle ....but many gas guns will cycle 7/8 oz loads at 1150 fps ...most of the Benelli's will not. For most of the Benelli's you will have to go up to 1200 fps ...and maybe a 1oz shell. It may not cycle a 7/8 oz shell - unless you push the velocity up a little more.

June 24, 2011, 01:42 PM	#9
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Of course, IF it is only going to be for clay games, the expensive, but nice, Beretta UGB Excel, a hybrid semi gas, break-open gun, is worth looking into (well, except for the price); otherwise to add to Jim's suggestions, the new Beretta A400 with the Kick off can be had in wood - fairly light at about 7#, (or the sporting model at about 8), newer gas system design that "cleans itself - (Beretta's words) Remember, there are TWO recoils to be concerned with - actual and felt. Actual is what does the deep-down damage over time - heavy gun plus light, slow loads is what reduces this Felt - is the "kick" people talk about - is due to gun fit and is what cause cheek slap, bruises, etc - "surface" damage if you will - that is where proper fit and recoil pads, and other devices come in to make it "FEEL" less than what it is. Talk to your doctor about your shoulder and see what he says

June 24, 2011, 02:14 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I was unloading my truck the other day - when I got home from the range ...and my wife asked if I needed any help ....?? I said sure honey, will you clean these 3 guns ...and then lock them up please ....( she said sure, I'll just stick them out on the lawn / and cycle the sprinkler system ....) ....good thing she's cute / cause she's mean .... " self cleaning gas system " ...thats up there in the oxy-morons .../ but I will say ...they are supposed to be getting better ...and they probably are...

June 27, 2011, 07:12 PM	#12
anonymousFolk Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 63	+1 on the 7/8 loads, big difference. Although it seemed great to save a few bucks whilst shooting at clays, quickly learned that bargain target load ammo was bargain for a reason.