what semi auto 12gauge to get

[panamajr]

looking to get a new 12gauge for bird season
seeing what everyone would recomend
it deff needs to be a semi auto this time
thanks in advance

[Anvil1010]

Great question. I am in the same boat. Looking forward to any suggestions.

[ToXicXxX]

If you could get your hands on a Browning Auto-5 they can be had for cheap, amazing guns too.

[elkhunter11]

What is your budget?

The Winchester SX3 runs around $1000 to $1200, the Browning Maxus for around $1100 to $1400, and the Benelli Vinci/Super Vinci, and the Beretta A-400 run from $1600 to $1900. All are very dependable guns, and it comes down to which fits best, and how much you want to spend.

[Hotwheels81]

Bad time of year to be buying but excellent time to start looking...

I hear Baikal makes an interesting semi auto . Lmao... Might want to do your homework on it tho.

Lots of places have fall sales just before the season starts, pick out what you find the best reviews on and start saving you pennies.

[HunterDave]

What kind of price range are you guys thinking? Benelli's are pretty expensive (for me) but Weatherby and Mossberg have more affordable models.

Back in the early '90's I bought a Winchester 1400 Ranger with choke tubes and an extra slug barrel for about $400. WOW, have the prices gone up!

I'm not sure how old this article is: http://hunting.about.com/od/toppicks...toshotguns.htm

[wally338]

I have a Beretta and love it. Most the other guys in my group use Benelli's and one fellow has a Winchester. My Beretta cycles light target loads (1 1/8oz) flawlessly the Benelli on the other hand will sometimes jam.

[panamajr]

i have no price range id rather not go over 2000

[jackrabbit000]

Originally Posted by ToXicXxX

If you could get your hands on a Browning Auto-5 they can be had for cheap, amazing guns too.

x2 on the Auto-5

[panamajr]

Originally Posted by panamajr

i have no price range id rather not go over 2000

been looking at the browning silver hunter any thoughts?

[elkhunter11]

i have no price range id rather not go over 2000

Then check Browning,Winchester, Benelli, and Beretta, and pick one that fits you well.

[panamajr]

thanks for the advice ill have to go take a look around been looking on the net and they all have a good review so it may come down t a good deal and fit

[wally338]

The auto-5 is classic no doubt but not really in the same class as the new semi's (this is just my opinion)

[bobinthesky]

Originally Posted by wally338

The auto-5 is classic no doubt but not really in the same class as the new semi's (this is just my opinion)

I couldn't agree more.
The auto 5 is admittedly, a work of art in many ways but it's just about my last choice as a shooter. The newer semi's shoot a wider variety of loads, are just as dependable, and have far better ergonomics that allow faster follow up shots due to less muzzle rise.
2 c worth...

[ToXicXxX]

Originally Posted by bobinthesky

I couldn't agree more.
The auto 5 is admittedly, a work of art in many ways but it's just about my last choice as a shooter. The newer semi's shoot a wider variety of loads, are just as dependable, and have far better ergonomics that allow faster follow up shots due to less muzzle rise.
2 c worth...

But for $300 you can't go wrong

But yeah, I'd be looking at a Benelli of some kind, I had a pump Benelli Super-Nova and it was one of the most well made firearms I've ever used. The M2's can be had for a fair price. From what I've heard the Argo gas system found in semi auto Benelli's is quite the setup.

[elkhunter11]

But yeah, I'd be looking at a Benelli of some kind, I had a pump Benelli Super-Nova and it was one of the most well made firearms I've ever used. The M2's can be had for a fair price. From what I've heard the Argo gas system found in semi auto Benelli's is quite the setup.

Benelli does not use the Argo gas system on their sporting shotguns. Benellis are reliable guns, but the one disadvantage of their inertia driven actions, is that they produce much more felt recoil than the gas operated semi autos. The difference in recoil between my Super Black Eagle 2, and my Beretta with Kick Off is very significant.

[Vmaxx]

I have a beretta a400 it was 1600.00 it's fast and clean real nice to shoot. It has the kick off I can shoot all day long painless to boot. Good luck.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Benelli does not use the Argo gas system on their sporting shotguns. Benellis are reliable guns, but the one disadvantage of their inertia driven actions, is that they produce much more felt recoil than the gas operated semi autos. The difference in recoil between my Super Black Eagle 2, and my Beretta with Kick Off is very significant.

x2 on that ! If you plan on shooting heavier 3 or 3 1/2 in. loads, or a lot of the lighter loads, you will feel much better at the end of the day with an Beretta Xtrema - even without the kick-off.

[MK2750]

I see Basspro has the Beretta A300 Outlander on for $649. I have not read any reviews or handled the gun but it is hard to imagine it is anything but reliable with the Beretta name on it. It doesn't take the 3.5" shells if that is a factor in the equation.

[oddball_ted]

Simple in my opinion:

Mossberg 930 for smaller game and grouse
Mossberg 935 as your goose and duck gun.

I have both and love both. And you get two guns for half the price of some of these other high end semi-autos.

Oh, might I add I don't weep if I get a scratch on my 935 scraping around a blind or swamp with it! LOL

Good luck!

[wally338]

Originally Posted by ToXicXxX

But for $300 you can't go wrong

But yeah, I'd be looking at a Benelli of some kind, I had a pump Benelli Super-Nova and it was one of the most well made firearms I've ever used. The M2's can be had for a fair price. From what I've heard the Argo gas system found in semi auto Benelli's is quite the setup.

Have you even touched a Beretta or a Benelli? Lol

[coolpete1]

Originally Posted by panamajr

been looking at the browning silver hunter any thoughts?

i bought one , i love it , it is ok with really light skeet shot ,fte the odd one, eats everything else fine.

[Anvil1010]

Originally Posted by oddball_ted

Simple in my opinion:

Mossberg 930 for smaller game and grouse
Mossberg 935 as your goose and duck gun.

I have both and love both. And you get two guns for half the price of some of these other high end semi-autos.

Oh, might I add I don't weep if I get a scratch on my 935 scraping around a blind or swamp with it! LOL

Good luck!

Great point about getting scratches. I am going to go look up the Mossbergs mentioned. I am too cheap to buy a Bennelli.

[elkhunter11]

you will feel much better at the end of the day with an Beretta Xtrema - even without the kick-off.

I much prefer my A400 Xtreme Unico, and it comes standard with the new style Kick Off.

[Elk Chaser]

check out Hatsan/Escort shotguns. Prophet River sells them.

[oddball_ted]

The cheaper the shotgun (but still good quality like a Mossberg), the greater your market is to resell it one day if it no longer suits your needs or you want something different. I've held the SBE and they're amazing and if I was an avid hunter I would consider one but for my 3 goose outings per fall it's not worth it to me.

Originally Posted by Anvil1010

Great point about getting scratches. I am going to go look up the Mossbergs mentioned. I am too cheap to buy a Bennelli.

[oddball_ted]

i think theammosource.com has a bunch in stock right now

[pikeslayer22]

Do not by a moss berg you will regret it!

[covey ridge]

Originally Posted by ToXicXxX

But for $300 you can't go wrong

Yes you can go wrong. The A-5 in its day was a fine gun, but modern autos can do it all! After you spend your $300.00 if you can get one that cheap and you find that that old classic is limited you are $300.00 further away from the one you could have bought in the first place.

[bobalong]

I have had a Maxus for the last couple of years, and am very happy with it so far. I had to put one spacer in for a little better LOP fit, but its a nice gun to shoot.