[Rock_Steady]

Well, guys, I gots more questions.

I know it is hard to believe, but I think I have hit a bit of a hurdle. I'm loving the sporting clays, but shooting with the 870 express seems to be slowing me down on true pairs. Try as I might, some of them just get away from me before I can get shucked and back down - and I still had some people saying that they'd "Never seen someone shoot a pump that fast" :scrutiny:

Anyway, thinking about a semi-auto - basically cause I think I will get more utility out of it. I shouldered some 11-87's and what few benellis I could find. Done a search and looked for the obvious things. What can you all tell me about: Reliability - which will shuck the low-powered loads better, is the inertia-driven all it is cracked up to be, worth the extra $$? I can get a sporting remington for about $200 cheaper than the benelli, what are the ups and downs of them?

Or should I just concentrate on shucking my 870 faster for a while?

By the way, I outshot 6 of the 7 guys I shot with in the tournament.and I've only been shooting it for a little over a month and a half now, and the shortest time any of the guys I shoot with has been going is 3 years.....and my personal best is a 64. :uhoh: Maybe I need to shoot with a better group to learn more..

[PJR]

Yes you want an auto. But before you buy one try as many as you can. I've owned an 11-87, shot a variety of Benellis but finally bought a Beretta 391 Urika for a sporting clays gun.

The inertia action of the Benelli works better with higher powered shells. The Beretta gas action works better with lighter loads and will have less felt recoil.

IMHO, the Beretta 391 is the best of the breed when it comes to sporting clays semi-autos. The Sporting versions come with two recoil pads to adjust length and stock shims that will adjust drop and cast.

[Kingcreek]

I shoot a Beretta 390 Sporting model. Shimmed and adjusted to fit me. no reliability problems with light target loads or anything else.

[RNB65]

Of course you want an autoloader!

Beretta 391 Urika should be your first choice. Or Browning Gold if you have really big hands because they're made with a giant sized pistol grip.

But if they're a little too pricey, take a look at the Beretta 3901 American. It's an USA made version of the old Beretta 390 and it's priced close to the Rem 1100.

[ArmedBear]

Used 1100s are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, as are any parts you may need. Unless actively abused, they last like an 870.

The design is similar to the 870, so it will all be familiar to you when you clean it.

The balance, fit and geometry are like the 870, so you know it will fit you if you can shoot the 870 well already. You should be able to pick it up and shoot it with absolutely no learning curve, and you should be able to go back to the 870 for hunting or as a backup gun, with no adjustment.

Try as I might, some of them just get away from me before I can get shucked and back down - and I still had some people saying that they'd "Never seen someone shoot a pump that fast"

I had the same experience. I also have an 870 Express. Good gun, with many good applications. True pairs, though, I'd rather shoot with my old 1100 Magnum ($250 for the gun, an hour+ to clean out the gunk and make it near-new condition, $50 for a stock set on eBay to replace the cut-down stock that came with it, which I kept for Junior someday :) , and $50 for an extra barrel on eBay. Also bought a big bag of replacement parts I found for $40, and 8 O-rings for $5, so can fix almost anything in the gun without having to get parts, though so far it works perfectly.) The 1100 recoil is so minimal with birdshot loads that I don't even have a pad on it, and it feels like nothing.

[B.D. Turner]

I have owned two Beretta shotguns a 390 that I never should have parted with and a 1200FP that I will never part with. The 390 was as reliable as the 1200FP both are very fast shooting.