[okespe04]

What is a good auto loader to start with? Mainly for upland game and duck. I would like to keep it around $500 or so. Thanks.

Also any links to unbiased reviews of your favorite choices would be great.

[evbutler462]

Any of the standard brand shotguns, such as Browning, Remington, Franchi, etc. You may have to buy used to meet your budget.

I also suggest that for upland game, you buy a light gun, such as the Franchi 48. For other shooting, you need a heavier gun to absorb the recoil.

Buy good used guns and you can afford to buy both a heavy and a light gun. If you tote a heavy gun doing uplands, you will thank me for this advice.

[chas08]

You could get a used Remington 1100 or 1187 under your pricepoint. And there is a beretta sold at some wal-marts and cabelas, new, for just a little over your pricepoint. I own an 1100 and 1187 they are good guns but considered a little heavy by some for upland hunting. There are a host of third world Turkish made semi autos at or below your pricepoint but I've had no experience with them so I can't comment as to if they are good.

[ArmedBear]

Let's start with this:

What kind of upland game?

You talking about hunting a pheasant field a few times a year, or going after Chukar?

[okespe04]

I'm a newb, I have been a few times, saw some pheasant but have never bagged anything. I gotta start somewhere.

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, but if you're talking about pheasant on relatively flat ground, you can use, say, a 12 Gauge like a Mossberg 930 or a "Wal-Mart" Beretta 390. That will work well on ducks, also. These aren't the lightest guns, but they're not too heavy to walk with (and they're a lot lighter than an 11-87 Sportsman, which I would avoid like the plague anyway). Get a loop sling if you want to hang it on your back occasionally.

Chukar live on steep slopes, in canyons, etc., and you will want a lightweight gun of some sort, that you are willing to drop. I use a matte/synthetic 20 Gauge.:) Not the best duck gun.

Check out a 930 or 390, and see how they feel to you.:)

[45crittergitter]

$500 is pretty limiting these days. Check out the Franchi, Stoeger, Mossberg, and whatever Wal-Mart has. I won't buy another Remington autoloader due to poor quality and poor customer service.

[okespe04]

Yeah my research is showing that good autos come at a fairly high price.

[Ringer]

Mossberg 930 can be had for under $500 new. I don't own one but if I were buying an auto loader that's what I would get. For me it feels and points really well.

[snooperman]

The new CZ 712 is a fine shotgun for the price range you are in. I have shot both the 712 12 ga and the 720 20 ga and was quite impressed with them . The recoil is very mild and the gas system is excellent. I bought the 20 ga for my wife and she hunts with me. It is well made as the bore and all internal parts are chromed finished, including the gas system, and a real breeze to clean. You wont find a finer gun NEW for the money in my opinion. The company is first rate too with a excellent warranty. My 2 cents

[snooperman]

You get several different choke tubes with the CZ semi auto guns. I like the quality and price so much I asked Santa to bring me a 12 ga for Christmas.

[Virginian]

I'd stick with Beretta, Browning, Remington, and maybe Winchester for gas guns. They all make 2-3/4" - 3" guns which will cover all your bases. I am a name brand kind of guy in this game. I have been fixing guns for a long time, and you can fix most any repeater - if you can get a part.
Pick the one that feels best to you. Don't be afraid of used. You can get a whole lot more gun for the money. If you're going to be doing many miles of walking and want a lighter gun, and don't mind a recoil operated, the Franchi 48 is in a class by itself in my opinion. I don't like inertia actions, but with the right loads they do work, but Benelli's go dear. I wouldn't trust a take off.
I am sure there's lot's of other folks who will assure you that a Brand X Whizzer for $399 like theirs is just the ticket, but you did ask for opinions.
There are no unbiased reviews or opinions. Take anything you read with a grain of salt. Maybe 100 grains.

[Dropyourweapon]

I am looking for the same thing and have pretty much decided on the 930 Field/Deer combo with a 28" smooth and 24" rifled slug barrel. Pretty amazing deal at just under $500. It will sleep nice next to my 590A1. I am sure the shotgun snooters will be entirely disgusted that someone would even think of paying as little as $500 for an auto but who cares. From what I have heard it shoots good.

[hub]

I am looking for the same thing and have pretty much decided on the 930 Field/Deer combo with a 28" smooth and 24" rifled slug barrel. Pretty amazing deal at just under $500.

That sounds like a good deal. When you get a little trigger time in give us a review. I have been thinking about getting a 930 too.

[MCgunner]

Another vote for the Mossberg 930 on ergos alone. Love the tang safety. People that actually own 'em like 'em. I haven't bought one. I have this old Winchester 1400 that shoots great. I just got a call today that my trigger is done. I took it to a smith to have a left handed safety installed, crossbolt of course. They'd told me it'd be 2 months, but it's only been 3 weeks, not that I'm complaining. :D Not a tang safety, but at least, for the first time in the 20 years I've owned it, the safety will work in the proper direction for me. :D It's almost gonna be like a new gun. LOL

[Wishoot]

I bought a Winchester Super X-2 new several years ago. It's been absolutely flawless since day one. Eat's every shell you can feed it.

My only criticism is that it's somewhat heavy, especially if your shooting upland for extended periods of time. I usually use it for sporting clays and skeet.

[Dropyourweapon]

Yes great! Keep the cheapo junkers that work rolling.

[MCgunner]

Well, if you're snooty and broke, there's always the pump guns. :D

[wrs840]

Yes great! Keep the cheapo junkers that work rolling.

My only auto-loading shotgun is a Winchester Super-X Model-1 that I like a lot. If that qualifies for keeping "the cheapo junkers" rolling, I'm glad to do my part for the cause. :D

Les

[clang]

Another vote for a used Beretta AL390. There aren't many of them out there - probably because the owners like them a lot. When they do sell they are in the $450-500 area.

Another Beretta you can sometimes find on the used market worht looking at is the FP1201. The gun uses the exact same inertis recoil design as the Benelli Montefeltros. Very light, and kicks pretty hard too.

If you had to have new - the Mossberg is probably a good choice. I don't own one, but my Uncle loved his.

[gunsandreligion]

In any price range I'd perfer a 870 wingmaster you can get them used for $250-$350 the only problem is there not good for duck.

[Dropyourweapon]

I did find a used Beretta 1200 for $550 and a barely used Remington 1187 for $550. Seems shops want a lot for used guns. Both seem at the very upper end of what they should sell for. If I could find a 390 or 391 for a decent price I would probably jump on it.

[Virginian]

......870 wingmaster you can get them used for $250-$350 the only problem is there not good for duck.
I dare say there are possibly a million duck hunters that would disagree with that statement just a bit. Glad I didn't know it before I bought one in 1974.... specifically for waterfowling.

[scchokedaddy]

you guys amaze me, allways talking about the <PROPER NAME BRANDS> guess yall dont care bout the options out there. Escort auto fits bill vey well. Several years ago I bought one for 250 brand newand proceeded to try to tear it up. With several of us shooting clays in a clay pit we ran about 10 cases of Remington and Estate through the weapon with no problem from gun. We would not have cleaned it then but my gunsmith wanted to what it looked like on inside. We would ron the gun so hot that you could barely load it without burning hands. yes it does thump a little becauise it is fairly light and definiteley is not going to win a beauty contest, but it proved to be one tough gun. by the way what got me interested in the auto was the Escort pump that I already had and was very hapy with. We really gave that gun hell. It is still in our group and shooting well still. Now lives a life of luxury with cutdown stock for young deerhunter. Check gunbroker or Legacy Sports for current price. by the way I have another 1 in safe that I still shoot. ps they come w/drop and cast shims just like high dollar weapons. Sorryt I took up so musch of your time God bless all

[Virginian]

Well we're even, because "you guys" who are so determined that some << no-Name Brand >> el cheapo shotgun is as good as anything else made on the planet amaze me. I do have to admit that we name brand proponents do not have near the library of stories to support our choices either. Yep, amazing.

[MCgunner]

10 cases in one day? Ouch. Funny, we used to call 20 boxes of 25 a case. Then, these half cases got popular and now a "case" is 10 boxes. The other day my son-in-law said he bought a "case" and turns out he bought one of those bargain 4 packs. :rolleyes: I'm assuming in this case, a "case" is a 10 box case...just in case....:D

I'm not averse to off brands, but I sure wanna get positive feedback on 'em from owners before I'll drop a dime on 'em. I KNEW when I bought that Winchester that it had a good rep. I KNEW when I bought my Mossberg 500 that it had a good rep, and I owned another old one at the time that never failed me. I'd seen that Charles Daly at Walmart and asked around and got some horror stories, never bought one. But, I got a Baikal (Russian) side by side on positive feedback and it's a dandy, not exactly a "brand name" even if it does have "Remington" stamped on it. :rolleyes:


Quote:
......870 wingmaster you can get them used for $250-$350 the only problem is there not good for duck.

I dare say there are possibly a million duck hunters that would disagree with that statement just a bit. Glad I didn't know it before I bought one in 1974.... specifically for waterfowling.

I just kinda assumed he meant the Wingmaster was too pretty to mess up in the marsh, but I could be wrong there. I started my duck hunting at age 14 in 1967 with a 20 gauge 870 Wingmaster. It was a do all gun, except in 20 gauge, it was a bit light when I took up goose hunting around 2 years later. 20 gauge number 5 2 3/4" lead "magnums" were deadly on ducks back then. I really had some issues with the gun, the ergos of it, after I found out how well the Mossbergs worked, but they work as well as anything on ducks if you don't mind 'em getting beat up in the process. It was a working gun, pressed checkering, corn cob fore end, not particularly "beautiful". I really don't look at the Wingmaster as anything special. Yeah, it's a lot better than an Express, but so what? Pressed checkering is the standard in beauty, now? :rolleyes: There are ways to keep 'em from getting TOO beat up that I didn't consider when I was a kid, though, like HARD CASES for boat rides....:rolleyes: ROFL! Yes, I was a little moron. I still don't like taking a nice wood and blued steel gun to the marsh, though. I find camo sheds rust better and plastic can get repeatedly wet and I don't worry so much.

[ArmedBear]

One way or another, a Wingmaster isn't an autoloader.:)

The last time I used an 870 for upland hunting was the day before I bought something else (can't remember if it was an old 1100 or an old 20 Gauge O/U). Swinging around that relatively heavy 28" barrel and shucking it while birds fly away laughing isn't my idea of fun. I did hunt with a friend who used a Wingmaster with the quicker LC barrel, but my bag still consistently had more birds in it with an autoloader or 2-barrel, despite his having better scores than me at the range at the time.

Remington once made a neat upland version with a shorter barrel for quicker handling and a straight stock for easier carrry. I like that thing, but haven't ever bought one.

[Dropyourweapon]

I am hoping that a decent auto shotgun can be had for around $500. Just because it is "cheap" does not mean it will not work. I imagine with shotguns as well as most everything else that the law of diminishing returns kicks in pretty quick. And from all I have found even the very expensive guns have problems. If one was to choose blind a budget shotgun and a top shelf shotgun chances are the top shelf one would perform better. Looking for a cheaper gun that performs well is a hard task but hopefully not impossible.

[ArmedBear]

I imagine with shotguns as well as most everything else that the law of diminishing returns kicks in pretty quick.

It's a curve. The bend in the curve hits at about $1000. Then it does kick in.

Or... If you can find a Beretta "Wal Mart 390" at Wal-Mart or Cabela's, you might get a plain-looking but top-quality gun for $550 on sale. Maybe a 3901 for $750-800, or a synthetic 391 for $850. Or sometimes, there's something on sale.

Those are the exception, not the rule, though. In general, it doesn't kick in at $500, even if you wish it did.

Looking for a cheaper gun that performs well is a hard task but hopefully not impossible.

There are only so many on the market. And wishes aren't fishes.

You picked a number out of a hat ($500). It's the wrong number. You're right about the law of diminishing marginal rate of return, BUT you can't just arbitrarily pick a number and hope. For any given item, there is a "sweet spot" and it is what it is, not what you wish it were.

Of course, there's the used market, but I wouldn't advise it if you don't know what you're doing, unless it's a friend's gun and you know its history or something.

[MCgunner]

Well, if you cruise the used racks or hit the gun shows, you can pick up the quite excellent, if plain, Winchester 1400 for from 200-250 bucks. IMHO, that's the best bargain in affordable autos. Mine was 255 new at Wallyworld in about 1989. It fit perfectly right out of the box, is light, points quick, swings smooth. My only knock is the ergos and I've been working on that lately. It is a reliable shotgun that tosses great patterns. It's light enough and quick enough to be deadly on dove and upland game and it knocks down the ducks about as good as anything. It is very light in recoil, lightest I've ever shouldered for a 12 gauge, and comes to the eye instinctively. That's why I like it. It's also very reliable, but needs the gunk cleaned out of the gas port/piston area now and then to maintain reliablility. I clean the thing after every use, myself. That gun is the reason I'm not really that high on buying another auto. I like it, a lot and it sure didn't cost any thousand bucks.

The SX3 is up near a grand and feeds 3.5" to 2 3/4" reliably. A gunsmith near me loves those things and highly recommends them, but you pay to play with that one. After my 1400, though, Winchester's bargain auto, I'll trust that if it has Winchester stamped on it, it'll work. ;)

[Ringer]

I am hoping that a decent auto shotgun can be had for around $500.Gander Mountain in my area has a regular price of $399 for Mossberg 930's with synthetic stock, 26" or 28" barrel and they are not known for having great prices. I don't own one (yet) but if you search THR I think you will find positive feedback. It's not a Beretta or an SX3 but it is work a look.

Also looking through this morning's adds I see Dicks Sporting Goods has an 11-87 Sportsman for $499 after $100 rebates. Not my favorite places to shop but.....

[ArmedBear]

MC-

Yeah. I'm talking about street prices for new guns like the SX3.

Used guns can be bargains, but older used guns lack the features that a modern shooter wants on an all-around gun. If you can pick up a reliable, self-compensating (handles light 2 3/4" to 3" magnum loads), steel-shot-compatible autoloader with screw-in choke tubes and a decent rib for a decent price, then it's a bargain. Otherwise, it will end up an albatross.

In a used gun, you're dealing with demand issues that are a little different from the new gun market. E.g. the Winchesters have never been the most popular guns, so people overpay for other used autos that are not as good as the Winchesters.

BUT... Like I said, with a used gun, especially an older one, you have to know what you're doing. You can easily waste the money you spend.

[MCgunner]

399 for the Mossberg? That ain't bad....REALLY! I'm sure it's plain blued, but hell.....

[Milkmaster]

I would go the used route for a good semi-auto. If you want new, then Dick's has the 1187 right now for $499 in today's ad.

[Dropyourweapon]

Yes the 1187 deal at Dicks is over apparently. And as for the 3901 at walmart out of the ones that even carry guns anymore nobody knows anything about it. They sure do not have any in stock and ordering one seems pretty unlikely so far. I think the 930 can actually be had for a good price. Why do people think it is not good? From all I have read it seems to shoot great. Yes it is not made in Italy and does not cost $1000 or more and does not seem to have had tons of money poured into advertising saying how great it is. I think sometimes people who do spend lots of money on certain guns spend a lot of time convincing themselves that what they spent is worth it and all else is more or less junk. Gun Snooters. Those same types thought and many probably still do think against all evidence that Glocks are junk. Could the Mossberg be the same way? I hope so.

[Milkmaster]

Yes the 1187 deal at Dicks is over apparently.

The ad was in the this morning's paper. The Ad says sale price is $599.98 minus two rebates totalling $100 for final price of $99.98. Hanldes up to 3" shells.

If you have not noticed, here is an alert...I saw some advertised cheap bird loads at Dick's advertised last week. Upon close inspection in the store, the deal was not so good. The boxes only had 20 shells in them instead of the normal 25.

[Dropyourweapon]

Hmm. I called them and the guy said the sale ended yesterday. Maybe he did not know what he is talking about. I would go check it out but it is a 2 hour drive from here.

[okespe04]

I think some of those sale are regional.

[Milkmaster]

Here is the ad that was in 10/25/2009 this morning's paper. I looked all over the few pages of it and did not find a sale ending date. Your profile does not mention your location. Good luck.

[Dropyourweapon]

That does look like a good deal. I found a used one here for $550.

[okespe04]

Use the add as leverage to get the price of the used one down.

[Dropyourweapon]

They can be kinda grouchy where the used one is. They will probably say go buy the new one then. I have dealt with them enough to know that. They know someone else will come in and pay asking price eventually. But thanks for the advise.

[ArmedBear]

Yes the 1187 deal at Dicks is over apparently.

IMO you got lucky if you didn't buy one of those. Don't. The Sportsman is a POS.

The Mossberg 930 is a good gun, and a HELL of a lot better than that Remington is.

[Dropyourweapon]

Ya I was never super excited about the 1187 at any price. It does get some good reviews but also a lot of not so good stuff is said about it. From what I heard it is better to get the beretta or other higher end gun and that it would save money overall due to repair costs. I am kinda between a beretta and the mossberg at the moment. It changes a lot though. Neither seem to be in great supply where I am.

[All4eyes]

I just traded my 1187 off on a new Benelli M2, and wish I had the 1187 back. The Benelli jambs all the time, and in 7 years of owning the 1187 Premier it jambed 1, yes 1 time, and that was from lack of cleaning and 200+ rounds. Super clean the Benelli and it jambs after 8 or 10 rounds. The 1187 is a good gun, there are 7 of them in our hunting party, and the biggest problem we have is it getting dirty, after several houndred rounds. Keep them clean and they work plain and simple.

How many of you that talk down the 1187 owned one? I was happier with mine than the Benelli. I have heard good and bad about every auto, but only comment from personal expierence. For that price, I would pick one up and shoot the crap out of it. I shoot about 500 to 600 rounds a year just hunting geese, ducks, grouse, partridge, and pheasant, let alone at the range. Yes, I have awesome hunting, and I do alot of it.

[scchokedaddy]

Yes Virginian I must admit you are right, some of the << no name brands>> are not worth mentioning. I wouldn't mention some brands, buit you have to admit that there is at least one name brand (c-------s d-----y) that leaves a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouth. Did not mean to knock all the old standbys. That was not the point I was trying to make. Allright you can laugh at me now because my favorite shotgun and preferance for clays and deer hunting is the Browning A5 in 20,16, and 12 gauge. I did not mean to say that I would put all my 870's or 500's out to pasture, just that are some decent weapons in the price range of the original post. I apologize if it came out wrong way.

[Dropyourweapon]

The 1187 kinda reminds me of the Stoeger m2000. Some like it and some say it is total garbage. Its hard to find where the truth is. I do not know. I have never shot an auto shotgun in my life. I just want to make a somewhat informed decision with my money.

[Vikingsoftpaw]

Used is definitely the way to go, especially if your trying to stay at about $500. I picked up a Left handed Benelli Monetfentro 12 gauge for about $525 a ew years back.

[All4eyes]

Oh yea, I love my CD 1911 in .45 acp. Has thousands of rounds trough it, and never a problem. Almost as nice as my Colt.

[Dropyourweapon]

I am not against finding a used one but that takes time to find a good one. Also I would not know what to look for when examining a used one. Getting my feet wet with a new mossberg sounds like the right thing to do right now. More guns is always just around the next corner for me anyway.

[snooperman]

There are a lot of excellent used semi auto shotguns in gun shops and gun shows that will last several life times if taken care of. For $500 you have a wide array of very good guns to choose from. Mossbergs, Remington, Winchester, Brownings, and yes many foreign made guns such as Franchi etc. Most of what I am reading are just personal preferences, which is fine. But to say that this brand or that one is no good on this basis alone without the proper testing over a long period of time is , to say the least , a little absurd . Buy any one of those above shotguns and many others too numerous to mention, would suffice for your intended purpose.

[gunsandreligion]

I dare say there are possibly a million duck hunters that would disagree with that statement just a bit. Glad I didn't know it before I bought one in 1974.... specifically for waterfowling. Theire plenty good for duck, its just like no one drives in snow with a rolls royce.One way or another, a Wingmaster isn't an autoloaderYeah but it is better and can be faster

[ArmedBear]

The 1187 kinda reminds me of the Stoeger m2000. Some like it and some say it is total garbage. Its hard to find where the truth is. I do not know. I have never shot an auto shotgun in my life. I just want to make a somewhat informed decision with my money.


Remember: Remington has made 11-87 Skeet guns, the nice Premier series, and some more expensive waterfowl guns. There are great 11-87s out there. The 11-87 Sportsman is not one of those.

[MCgunner]

gunsandreligion

A) If a sub 500 dollar pump gun is a "Rolls Royce", where does that put a custom built Purdey or Holland and Holland? :rolleyes: The 870 is and will ever be a Chevette, the Mossy 500 being a Falcon. :D Hey, they work, they're cheap, they're rugged, they're replaceable for chump change. That makes 'em good duck guns. Whadda you hunt ducks with, H&R single shots? Not to knock H&Rs, my 10 gauge H&R is a fantastic goose gun.

B) I'll take my cheap Winchester 1400 over my old 870 Wingmaster any day. And, it's a lot faster shooting cause the recoil is minimal. With the same load and the same gauge, I have a cold Shiner says it's faster than your 870. If you haven't tried a gas gun, you just don't know what you're talkin' about. Gas autos are sweet, don't even need a recoil pad on it. Feels like a 28 gauge in recoil, near nothin'.

Of the pump guns I've fired in my life, the Ithaca 37 and the Winchester 1300 seem smoother and thus "faster" than the 870, actually. Neither is as fast back on target as a good gas gun, though.

[Malckom]

For get the auto's and buy a pump gun.It;s to easy to keep pulling the trigger rather than having to rack the slide.

[MCgunner]

For get the auto's and buy a pump gun.It;s to easy to keep pulling the trigger rather than having to rack the slide.

? I shoot just as well with my auto. Dont' get the point.

Pumps are effective hunting guns and cheaper. Gas autos are sweeter to shoot IMHO.

[ArmedBear]

There are some very skilled shooters who can shoot a pump gun remarkably fast, and still hit something.

The most skilled among them can't shoot any faster than a good shooter with an autoloader. And when it comes to very skilled high-speed exhibition shooters, there is no way they or anyone could do their autoloader tricks with a pump gun.

The notion that a Wingmaster "can be faster" than an autoloader is a joke.

Of course, it doesn't much matter. Often, you're better off shooting a tad slower in the field, especially if you have only 3 shots. It's easy to waste all 3. Certainly, if you're rushing things enough to concern yourself with the cycle time of ANY autoloader, even the slowest one ever made, you're probably not hitting much.:)

[MCgunner]

I remember one duck two years ago when I took the Winchester for giggles. He was high, 40+. I fired, hit him. He was still flapping, I fired, missed. I fired the third as he was falling near weeds and hit him solid. :D I could NOT have done THAT with my pump, I don't think. What really allowed me to do it was the lack of recoil. I actually stayed ON the bird all the way down, same lead. I never lost sight of him having to work any actions and the barrel barely moved shot to shot, this with 2 3/4" 1 1/16 ounce 1550 fps steel Xpert 3 shot. I couldn't have gotten more than two shots off on that bird with a double gun in 12, either, just because of recoil recovery.

Anyway, that's what I like about autos. I'm not trigger happy with it. I do try to make all shots count. But, hell, half the fun is shooting. :D It usually takes me a dozen rounds average to get a 5 bird limit no matter what I'm using, 10 to 15 depending on how the birds are flying and decoying and calling. This year they've upped the limit to 6. Must've had a good hatch in the central flyway. :D

[MCgunner]

BTW, Tom Knapp HAS hit 8 with his pump. I'm not sure if he's tried more with his auto. Only so many danged clays a guy can hold with one hand. LOL! I'm not Tom Knapp, though. I shoot faster with an auto.

[snooperman]

The older I get the more I use the Ithaca 37 20 ga. I take as many Doves and quail with it as my brother does with his Remington 1100. I think it is what you are used to. That said, I do use an older Remington 1100 12 on water fowl with great success as my light weight Ithaca 12 that I have used in the past seems to kick harder as I age now.

[djardine]

Another +1 on the Beretta. I have owned a Walmart Beretta 390 for three years and it has been better than any other shotgun I have ever owned- in fact, I prefer the Remington 870 for pumps and the Beretta 390 / 3901 for autos. I just recently purchased a 3901 on Gunbroker new for $540!

[gunsandreligion]

And, it's a lot faster shooting cause the recoil is minimal Recoil isn't a factor with the itty bitty loads normaly used for pheasentThere are some very skilled shooters who can shoot a pump gun remarkably fast, and still hit something.I can hit more lays faster with a pumup than a double or a auto but that maybe couse I shoots pumps alot.where does that put a custom built Purdey or Holland and Holland?something like the 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe while a Tristar is a GM K :neener:

[Virginian]

I wasn't meaning to knock Browning A5s either. Error of omission. I am not a recoil action fan, but there is little doubt they are very well made shotguns, and a lot of people swear by them, and very few swear at them. If you like the feel of them I don't think you could go too wrong getting a good one, but I don't know how much a good one would run you these days.

[snooperman]

I bought one at a gun show many years ago on impulse , as everyone swore by them. Well-BIG mistake as I swore at it. I did not like it as it was too sensitve to ammo and kicked too much, so I bought an old Remington 1100. It is a little heavy but soft shooting for a 12 ga. Three other good guns for the money that I have shot that are real soft shooters are The Mossberg 5500, 9200, and the old Winchester 1400. I see them on sale for about $250-$300 in fine condition.

[berettashotgun]

Beretta 1200 series are overpriced @ $400. NIB!!
The used 390 - 391 can be bought EASILY in your price range.
If you are "just getting into hunting" an Remington 1100 USED is a great shotgun to start with. I presume you are in your 20's - weight shouldn't matter much to you. It also helps take some of the recoil; a nice thing.
IMHO a modified barrel ( no screw in chokes ) will work on everything and help maintain costs.
It is so funny how lesser skilled Indians always need a better arrow:rolleyes:
GO to a range and use some of the loaner/rental shotguns. Make up your mind about what works for you.
Auto's have the same ergonomics as the pump among brands usually, the action absorbing recoil generally helps the shooter maintain track.

[bearmgc]

I got a NIB Winchester SX2 the teal model for $600 otd 2 years ago. I love it! It has been flawless. I also have the Rem 11-87 turkey model that I traded for, and it also has been absolutely reliable. I have an old ithaca mod51 that running true and reliable, but I'm afraid to run it much anymore since I can't get new parts for it. My first semi auto was a Rem 1100 with a fixed full, bought used, that ran and ran, till i sold it to finance another shotgun. It was ugly as sin, but great internals. I think used might be the way to go. There was someone selling a Montefeltro for $600-650 or so shipped, on this Forum not too long ago. It looked like a super deal.

[Dropyourweapon]

I decided on the Beretta AL390 or 3901 or whatever. I still can't figure out the difference. I found it at Buds Gunshop for $565 delivered and with insurance. I could have gotten it for a bit less but I would have had to send a check or money order. Not worth the hassle for $16. Its a bit more than the Mossy but should do well for me for the next little while. I just got tired of looking.

[djardine]

You made a great decision. I am biased because I own two of them, but they are amazing guns. They wont win any beauty contests, but they are very reliable guns.

[ArmedBear]

BTW, Tom Knapp HAS hit 8 with his pump. I'm not sure if he's tried more with his auto.

I saw him do 10 a few years ago, when he first started doing shows with Tim Bradley. It was amazing, seeing him live, especially since I hadn't seen his videos first.

Here's 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcpB2l-ljnc

That's probably his best-known world record.

Again, that's not to say that a pump has to be really slow, just that even Tom Knapp can still shoot faster with an auto. And he practices with that slicked-up Nova every day, since that's what he's paid to do full-time.

[Snarlingiron]

I decided on the Beretta AL390 or 3901 or whatever. I still can't figure out the difference.

The differences are very minimal, primarily furniture and finish. It's essentially marketing crap that allows Beretta to get a few more bucks for the 3901.

You won't regret your decision.

[Dropyourweapon]

I saw a 3901 locally for $798. Seemed a little steep. Dicks sporting goods has the 391 Eurika 2 for $899 I think. Both are a pretty good amount more than what I paid on mine. I am just happy I found what I have heard to be a good gun at a decent price. I did handle the 3901 at the shop. Seemed a solid gun.

[Leaky Waders]

The 390's have a semihump reciever and the 3901's a rounded receiver IIRC.

I've owned a silver mallard 390 for a long time, purchased new. It's a great gun. I hope you like yours...write a review and tell us about it once you get it.

[45crittergitter]

In any price range I'd perfer a 870 wingmaster you can get them used for $250-$350 the only problem is there not good for duck.

I disagree - I've found them ideal, if not outstanding for duck. But, they're not autoloaders as was requested.

You picked a number out of a hat ($500). It's the wrong number.

This I tend to agree with.

Dicks Sporting Goods has an 11-87 Sportsman for $499

I found the 11-87 to be a better boat oar than shotgun.

I just traded my 1187 off on a new Benelli M2, and wish I had the 1187 back. The Benelli jambs all the time, and in 7 years of owning the 1187 Premier it jambed 1, yes 1 time, and that was from lack of cleaning and 200+ rounds. Super clean the Benelli and it jambs after 8 or 10 rounds. The 1187 is a good gun, there are 7 of them in our hunting party, and the biggest problem we have is it getting dirty, after several houndred rounds. Keep them clean and they work plain and simple.

How many of you that talk down the 1187 owned one? I was happier with mine than the Benelli. I have heard good and bad about every auto, but only comment from personal expierence.

My personal experience was the opposite and I'm very glad I sold the 11-87 Special Purpose and bought the Benelli, which just won't quit. The 11-87 broke during the first box of ammo, and a half dozen weed seeds would jam it. My experience also was that Remington's customer service and warranty are pretty much worthless.

[All4eyes]

I should clarify that the 11-87 that I owned was the Premier Light Contour. I have heard horror stories from the guys owning the "plastic stocked" models. I do think I got lucky with the one I owned.