[ElPrez231]

Hey all, I'm in the market for a sporting semi-auto. This will be used for sporting purposes (sporting clays, trap, skeet, etc) probably 99% of the time.

I initially decided on a Benelli Supersport (I LOVE the carbon fiber/brushed nickel upper receiver look) however, am having issues justifying it's high price tag. That being said, I have been looking into other brands within the Beretta family including Beretta itself, other Benelli models (particularly the Sport II) and Franchi (between the I-12 sporting and I-12 limited; I saw these on gunbroker for just a hair over $1k). I don't want to spend more than $1500 but see this shotgun being something I own for quite a while before replacing it.

Does anyone have any experiences with the aforementioned (good OR bad)? Please enlighten me. Other suggestions are welcome however, I am really drawn to the ease and convenience of the inertia driven system and adore the buttery smooth action(s) I have experienced with the Benelli's/Franchi's. Any insight and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

[slabuda]

I own an extrema II. I love it!! I wouldnt call it a "sporting" shotgun so much as hunting one. BUt they do a sporting model based on the same gas system. NIce wood and a bit lighter too. But at the high end of your budget. Im sure you can find deals on them however.

Here they are...

https://www.berettausa.com/e2wShoppingCatalog.aspx?parentID=3100001504&parentLink=2100000084:3100001316:3100001320:3100001504

[Virginian]

Do yourself a favor and get a gas operated semi auto action. There is a reason that the biggest proponents of the "recoil is a function of gun fit" school of thought are primarily inertia action owners/shooters. A gas gun shoots softer to most of us, and is usually more reliable with light loads.

[PJR]

My clays semi-auto is a Beretta 391 but the Benellis caught my attention too, specifically the Cordoba which is the same gun as the Supersport but with a matte finish.

A friend was trying to sell his and let me shoot it for a few weekends to help me decide. The strongest point in favour of the Benelli is the simplicity of the action. It was easier to clean than my Beretta.

The Cordoba however would not handle light loads as reliably as the Beretta. The gun had more felt recoil due to the inertia action and because it was slightly lighter than my Beretta. I hated the glow stick front bead and the Benelli trigger was heavy and creepy. The Beretta trigger is 4lbs and while a little mushy is much better.

Another downside to the Benelli is the porting. My semi-does double duty as a waterfowler so porting is out. Porting also makes a barrel harder to clean so what I gained in cleaning the action would be somewhat mitigated when it came to cleaning the barrel.

I decided to stick with my Beretta 391 and continue to believe it is the very best semi-automatic shotgun on the market today. Someone else bought the Benelli.

[Kingcreek]

Beretta 390 or 391 Sporting model is hard to beat as an all-around sporting gun.

[ArmedBear]

One choke is one too few.

If, however, you are dead-set on a semiauto for these purposes, I'll put in another vote for the 391. Soft-shooting, relatively easy to maintain, well-made and well-designed. 390s are also nice, if you can find one in good shape. The older 300 series is nice, too, as well as being simpler and easier to clean, if you don't need to shoot 3" magnums at your whim. Of course, you can put a weighted target magazine tube cap on a 391, and eliminate the need to clean the standard one -- but you can keep the standard cap for field use.

Benellis are touchy with loads, though the Cordoba is a vey well-balanced gun, and also well-made. I like the shell handling a lot better in a Beretta, but that's mainly for field use. For the range, an 1100 is about as easy as anything, though I don't like much else about it, and I sold mine.

All of that said, one choke is still one too few, and for reloading, an O/U is a lot nicer to deal with. I'd take a deep breath before dropping $1500 on a semiauto which, to me, is certainly an expedient field gun but not my favorite at the range.

[Snarlingiron]

390s are also nice, if you can find one in good shape.

The Beretta 3901 is the same gun, but made in the US.

I actually prefer the 390 / 3901 to the 391. It is easier to break down and clean, and is just as reliable over a wide range of loads.

[oneounceload]

First thing to clarify - an inertia-driven Benelli is NOT a "gas" gun. It is inertia, aka recoil driven, gun. Some models do not like light target loads. They are also lighter than the gas gun, thus increasing actual recoil along with felt recoil.

Not saying they are bad guns - they're not; but they will have more recoil than a gas gun shooting identical loads.

The Beretta 39X series has been THE semi of choice in the sporting clays arena for quite sometime. last year's National Champ, used his very successfully.

Beretta has come out with a new gas gun to replace the 39X series; thus you might be able to find a new one or a lightly used one for a good price as dealers try to move inventory.

If you are going to be shooting trap, do yourself and squad mates a favor and get the T&S shell catcher. IIRC, they are now part of Brownell's.

Welcome to the fun world of clays!

[ArmedBear]

Ah. I see the T&S can finally be had for the Beretta. I've wondered why they didn't make that 10 years ago.

Beretta has come out with a new gas gun to replace the 39X series

It's not clear what they're going to do with the A400, or how soon. It's currently available in only one version, and that's not a target gun.

BTW I picked up a new 686 White Onyx 20 Gauge for $1299 the other day -- $400-500 off the going retail price, and 20s in general don't seem to go on sale like 12s do -- so don't limit your search to semiautos unless you are really convinced that's what you want, or to discontinued guns, either, for that matter. This is clearance sale season!

[oneounceload]

Yes it most certainly it - if you have the cash, now is the time for discretionary spending on things like guns and cruises - still too soon after Christams and before tax refunds deals can be worked

[TXHORNS]

I have 391's in 12 and 20. Each cost less than $1000 but I shopped around and was patient. I mostly hunt with mine but I shoot sporting clays when I can - it aint cheap these days!

Berettas and Remingtons just fit me like nothing else does. The recoil on my 20 is a joke and the 12 aint bad either. Cleaning is not an issue at all, but I never consider that when buying a gun. I like the smell of gun cleaner and I like spending time with my precious guns.

I couldn't be happier with my pair of 391's and I give the nod to the 20. You aren't going to go wrong with the guns you listed but shotgun shooting has a lot to do with the feel of the gun and how it points for you. Shoulder some guns with your eyes closed, then open them. See which guns put you right on target - and buy one of those.

[627PCFan]

SS is a fine gun. My biggest complaint is the ports. If I could get past that, I would get one for me-

[jmr40]

The Beretta 390-391 and the Benelli M-2 series are probably the best of the autoloaders. For my personal uses I prefer the Benelli because of its simplicity and lighter weight. I can live with the slight increase in recoil. Between those 2 you really can't go wrong. If you are never going to hunt the gas operated Beretta probably suites you better. I like the Benelli better for hunting.