[Hoppy590]

so besides some of the Franchi line what other brands of autoloaders out there are real light weights. preferably in 20 gauge?

[Ironballs]

beretta 1201fp
m1s90

[ArmedBear]

In all-steel: Remington 11-87 Upland Special 20 Gauge (6 lb. 4 oz.) and Premier 26" 20 Gauge (6 lb. 12 oz.)

Alloy: Browning Gold Superlite Hunter 20 Gauge 26" (6 lb. 6 oz.)

[saddlebum]

stoeger 2000

[Fosbery]

+1 for the Stoeger.

[das028]

Get a Benelli and call it a day. The best autos money can buy. Why a 20 gauge though? There is nothing a 20 gauge can do that a 12 gauge won't. I'd recomend a M1 field.

By the way, Stoeger are ok if money is tight, but dont think they are a cheap alternative to Benelli. They are totally night and day in comparision.

[Hoppy590]

Why a 20 gauge though? There is nothing a 20 gauge can do that a 12 gauge won't. I'd recomend a M1 field.


in the case of a possible 5.5lb field shotgun, i doubt i can recover for the second shot as well as a 12 gauge.

price is a semi issue. im not looking for THE lightest, best semi. im just looking for one thats light enough im not gunna be mad at myself for carrying it around all day, and not downing any bird. ( its the curse of my family. were horrible hunters and fisherman :cool: )

but the main reason is, i held my friends Franchi and fell in love with its weight.

[ArmedBear]

Stoeger 2000 is light, cheap, and operates just like a Franchi. But it's only made in 12 Gauge, AFAIK. Otherwise, it, too, would have been on my list.

Browning's light Citoris are also good carrying guns -- not the regular clunkers, but the special light versions. Two shots, but you can shoot any ammo you want in it, whereas the Franchi might be a bit pickier with a recoil-operated action. The Superlight Feather 20 is 5 lb. 11 oz., and feels GREAT in the hand. Available used for a good deal less than MSRP, lest that should scare you.:)

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=008B&cat_id=013&type_id=055

[JNewell]

Based on a discussion here late last fall, I bought a 20 ga Franchi. I'm not sure whether you've ruled that gun out (cost?), but it was highly recommended here and I have only more good things to say about its handling and reliability.

[Hoppy590]

ya a franchi 48 al is at the top of the list right now. the fact that its almost "novelty" light. relative good price, and hopefully find one used.

some one suggested stoeger. anyone have any opinions of thier Condor models? ( cheap O/U is always tempting)

[Fosbery]

Never used the over and unders, only the model 2000.

[das028]

"in the case of a possible 5.5lb field shotgun, i doubt i can recover for the second shot as well as a 12 gauge."

I'm going to assume this is for upland hunting. IMO I think you are putting yourself at a disadvantage with the 20 gauge. I woulkd rather deal with the recoil from the 12 rather than less shot from the 20. Besides with all the recoild pads you can choose from (limbsaver) there wont be much of a difference.

If recoil is an issue, go with a gas system like a Beretta 391. I would say a 1100 but they tend to be a bit heavy, but they are very light shooting shotguns.

[ArmedBear]

Condors are the only low-priced O/U I'd even consider purchasing. I know a number of people who use them for high-volume hunting and clay shooting, and they hold up very well (unlike Mossbergs).

Finish is a bit less refined than a Citori, but the wood is nice and the overal F&F, as well as overall feel, beats the hell out of a Spartan. The Condor has a pretty tall receiver, like a Citori, but that is probably good for durability. It just makes the gun feel a bit less like a SxS than a low-profile gun like a Beretta or Cynergy. It feels pretty much like a Citori when you're shooting it. All told, for $500 or less, the Condor is a great choice -- perhaps the ONLY good choice, IMHO.

Also check http://www.dhshotguns.com/ for a viable choice.

BTW I got a chance to shoot the new Remington 105CTi. 12 Gauge, 7 lbs. -- feels like a 20 -- and the recoil is very light. I hit the first clay I pointed it at. The only two bummers: the price and the availability right now. I'd like one, though.

My upland gun this season will be a vintage 1100 Magnum 12 Gauge I found, with a 2 3/4" barrel stuck on it. I'm just going to use a QD sling to hike to where the birds are. That should solve most of the weight issue, and also allow me to take a hands-free-pee!:)