[Ira Hayes]

20 ga 2 3/4 + 3'' semi auto
I have done as much research as possible - both brick/mortar and on the net. As far as sales people go, the Benelli is the best. Why am I not surprised...
Is the Benelli worth the extra $? Should I also consider the Beretta 391?
$ is not as big of an issue for me as quality and longevity. Don't get me wrong... I busted my a** for the $ and want a quality product.
Any help is greatly appreciated

[telli97]

I've had an 11-87 for almost 8 years and it's been great! I've shot it ALOT and have no troubles with it. If you have the extra $$$ to spend on the Benelli, I hear the Monte is also pretty darn good!

Good luck, either way you have a winner with either gun.

telli97

[45crittergitter]

I have a 20 ga Monte, and have had several Remys, but only one auto (12 ga). In my opinion, the Monte is SEVERAL classes above the Remington. In fact, I don't buy ANY Remington centerfire autos anymore. If recoil may be an issue, I would go with the Beretta 391 gas gun, as the Benelli is inertia recoil operated. I absolutely love my 20 ga Montefeltro - it only weighs 5.5#.

[RUT]

>>I would go with the Beretta 391 gas gun, as the Benelli is inertia recoil operated. I absolutely love my 20 ga Montefeltro -<<

I'm curious.. if you love your Montefeltro why would you then choose a 391 over say a Benelli Supersport or Sport ll? The reason I bought my Sport ll was because it WAS inertia operated, is easier to break down, and MUCH cleaner. I also found it fit me much better than a Beretta, but that's just me. :)

===RUT===

[cdharris]

I have a 20 ga LT Rem 1100 that I bought in 1976 and used for 25 years on quail and dove and I think it is a great gun. You have to keep it clean and replace the rubber bushing occasionally, but it handles nice and shoots good. However, I bought a 20 ga. Benelli Montefeltro several years ago after a pro sporting clays shooter told me about it and I now believe it is the best shooting gun in the world for what I do. It is lightweight, fast, low recoil and cannot be jammed. I took one to Mexico on a dove hunt and ran 2000 rounds through it over 4 days without any problem. I killed just as many birds as the other guys with their 12 guages, but did not have a sore shoulder like they did. The 1100 (or 1187) is a great gun and all you need if you are only going to shoot a few boxes a year, but get the Montefeltro if you plan to shoot a lot. (or get it anyway if you can afford it :))

[TrapperReady]

First, some background...

Between my wife and I, we have a 12ga Benelli Montefeltro, a 20ga Benelli M1 Field and a Beretta 391 Urika Sporting. My wife used the M1 for a couple of years, shooting trap and the occasional round of sporting clays. During that time, I was shooting the Montefeltro for the same purpose, although I also did some upland hunting as well. Along the way, I ended up switching to a Beretta 391 as I got more serious about busting clays. I've shot at least several thousand shells through each of the guns mentioned.

Now, personally I don't think there's a lick of difference between the Benellis and the Beretta with regard to quality. They are all very well-made guns.

As far as function, I can't think of a single time that the Benellis have failed to perform. The Beretta has choked maybe two or threes time when I've been shooting really cheap crappy ammo. If you use the search function and read some posts about Benellis, you will hear of them jamming at times, particularly with light target loads or when a bunch of "tactical" gear has been hung off them. I've never encountered this, and the Montefeltro has digested a ton of light 7/8oz handloads without a problem. YMMV.

The Benellis are hands-down the easiest shotguns (perhaps the easiest guns period) I've ever cleaned. They stay cleaner when shooting and the take-down is a piece of cake. That said, the Beretta isn't bad at all... and I've let both makes go over 1000 shells without cleaning (the Beretta WAY over).

Now, what's the difference between the action types? The Benelli will tend to have more felt recoil, IMO. Also, the recoil is felt as a distinct "double hit", which is kind of hard to describe, but quite noticable... especially when shot back-to-back with the Beretta. The Beretta 391's recoil is more of a single linear "push". I prefer the feeling of the Beretta, although when shot the Benellis exclusively, I can't say that I noticed it much.

When comparing 12ga models, the Benellis tend to run a little lighter than the Beretta, which means that they're easier to carry, but a lighter gun means more recoil. The 20ga models may be more of a wash weight-wise (you'd have to check the specs), because the 20ga 391s I've handled have felt very light indeed.

In terms of what I use right now, if I am shooting clay games, I prefer to use the Beretta. If I'm hunting (especially upland birds) I prefer to use the Benelli(s). If I were really and truly forced to pick one, it would be the Beretta, but only by a hair.

[45crittergitter]

RUT, read the whole sentence.

IF RECOIL MAY BE AN ISSUE, I would go with the Beretta 391 gas gun, as the Benelli is inertia recoil operated.

[kbheiner7]

You probably can't go wrong with either, but if you want the best and money is no problem - get the Benelli.

I have one think they are the best gun on the market. Simple design, comparatively few parts and dead reliable. :)

[Ed Gunsmoke]

All are good guns with loyal users, I have a '76 Remington 1100 Skeet and a '94 11-87 Sporting Clays, both reliable, soft shooting and a joy to use.

I like Remington because of the steel receiver it's durable and helps keep the weight between the hands making for good handling.

The new Remington 1100 G3 looks like a superb gun or the 1100 Competition if clays are your main target.

[Skywarp]

Benelli.


My Benellis take a beating my remingtons never could. They are lightweight fast action guns that make shotgun sports a dream. I <3 them.

[stiletto raggio]

Redundant, but I'll say Benelli. There is nothing wrong with the 1100/11/87 design, it is just more complex, heavier and requiers more maintenance. I have two Benellis and will be getting more. Hands down my favorite autloader out there, and I own a 391 and an 1100, too.