[B Man]

I'm in the market for a 20 ga. semi-auto for my fiance. The gun will be used in the feild so i'm looking for something durable and nice but on the cheaper side b/c she has started getting some wear on her gold hunter. I've looked at the Mossberg 920's and S&W 1020's but I have no idea about the reliabilty of these two in a semi and no gun shops around here do either. Does anyone have any experience with either of the two?


Thanks,
Brandon

[actaylor]

I was in the same situation looking for a 20 gauge semi auto for my stepdaughter. I almost bought a used Beretta 391, but the dealer then showed me a Beretta 3901. It's basically a 390. It has the same fat forend that my 390 has, and I believe the same gas system. In fact, it even came with the same instruction manual my 390 had. I guess Beretta had some of the 390 parts and decided to come up with a gun that sells for less than a new 391. It was exactly what I was looking for. Just under $900. You may want to check them out.

[DaleCooper51]

You could always take a look at the Remington 1100 LT-20. I picked a used one up a few months ago for under $300. I only have about 4 flats of shells through it at this point, but it's been rock solid for me so far.

I wish I could give you feedback on the models you mentioned, but I have no experience with either of them.

[Milkmaster]

You could always take a look at the Remington 1100 LT-20.

That 1100 would get my vote especially for a woman who needsa soft shooting shotgun. Good reliability and decent price for a used one. Plenty of them out there.

[Virginian]

I have two Remington Model 1100 LT20s, and I give them a thumbs up. The older one has been trouble free for 30 years. Did duty in the duck blind when steel first reared it's ugly head, and did quite well. Dusted a many a dove, quail, and clay pigeon, too.

[earlthegoat2]

Im curious as to what is wrong with the Gold Hunter you mention in the first post

[Smitty in CT]

I bought my son one of the Mossberg SA-20's, I have had abslutely no problems.

Here's a link to a review I wrote:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=143986

[evbutler462]

Here is a photo of my 20 gauge Black Magic:

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/evbutler/BlackMagic1.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/evbutler/BlackMagic.jpg


Ain't it neat? No, it is not for sale.

[Redseal]

I owned a Remington Sporting 28 ( 1100 )....best gun I ever owned....traded it...what a mistake! It comes in 28, 20 and 12 gauge. Remington 1100 standard model also can't be beat. good luck on your final decision. ( Browning gold hunter is another real nice shotgun)

[John828]

Remington 1100. Affordable, reliable, beautiful guns.

[evbutler462]

For field use, a Remington is a bit heavy. I know, been there, done that!

Everyone needs at least two guns. One for field use and one for still hunting and clays. The field guns needs to be light because there is much walking and little shooting. This is where a Franchi 48 comes into its own.

For shooting where not much walking is done, the Remington is the right gun. It wears me out on a days hunt in the uplands. The 48 is great, won't wear you out, tote it all day and never know you have it in your hand.

These 2 guns can be bought used for about what one of them will cost new.

[d2wing]

I have a Franchi 720. It is lighter than the lt20 Remington I used to have. I use my o/u Traditions/Fausti more lately. It seem to hit better with the o/u.
I have had no problems with the Franchi. It's a nice gun for the money.

[earlthegoat2]

the Browning silver isnt exactly heavy...

[ShowMe2]

BMan,

Remington 1100's all the way... I own 3 of the 'Sporting' Models. One of those is in 20 gauge. Steel receiver, polished blue, reliable, and very nice wood for the price.

They retail for just over a grand, but I've seen nice ones on Gunbroker in the $600 range. Field models are less than that. Remington doesn't presently catalog a field grade 1100, but used ones are easy to find. A friend of mine picked up a nice LT-20 'Skeet" gun in a pawnshop for $400.

They are a tad on the heavy side, but lighter guns are going to increase perceived recoil. I own a Franchi too and while it's a joy to carry in the field, it belts me around more than the Remington and costs a bit more.

[357sigRog]

Another +1 here on the Remington 1100 LT-20. I have had one for years and now my son uses it. Great gun.

[TAB]

I started shooting with a 1100 youth 20 ga.

Fit is the most important thing, she may need a youth, she may not.

its the gun that will be going to the kids.

[B Man]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The Gold hunter got a few bumps and scratches on the stock. So i was looking into getting a field gun (synthetic).

I went with a light, reliable, and what she wanted to begin with. I got her a Franchi 720, 28" barrel, Advantage Max4 HD. Here is a description and picture of the gun by franchi. http://www.franchiusa.com/firearms/720_waterfowl.php

She always wanted a shadow grass pattern so when I gave it to her christmas morning her expressions were worth it.

Thanks,
Brandon

[d2wing]

Good call!

[B Man]

We must have the same taste in guns b/c i just read where you have a fausti. I've got the sporting clay model with 28" ported barrels and 2" extended chokes I shoot in competitions with. I shot her franchi in hi/lo hose and some trap saterday and I have no regrets buying it.

Got a chance to take a picture of it today and the other two she has collected since we have been dating. The other two is a mossberg turkey hunter grandslam 20 ga. with a red dot scope, and kicks GT .560 choke, nasty on a tom out to 40yds, and a .270 Savage 114 American Classic with leupold mounts and a 3.5-10x50pentax light seeker

[sm]

Let her actually shoot to see what fits her:

Beretta 303, 390, 391
Win 1400
Rem 1100

The 1400 is THE softest shooting semi auto - period.

[45crittergitter]

Beretta 391, or a Benelli with a bit more recoil.