[bernie]

My 13 year old has become a hardcore duck hunter like his father. Last year, he graduated from a 20 gauge to a 12 gauge. He bought a used 870 Super Mag from a buddy of mine and he shoots 3" magnums out of it while shooting at waterfowl. He is a fairly good shot, too.

Saturday night, though, he told lme he would really like to start saving for an automatic. He would really like a gun that will shoot 3 1/2", but he has his 870 that can shoot them if we find a deal on a 3" gun. He has about $100 saved already, and gets a small allowance each week. This will be something he will save for for a while. Obviously a Vinci is out of the question.

I shoot a 3" Gold Hunter. I had told him about the Baikal autos that shoot the 3.5's, but I wonder if parts will be available in 15 or 20 years, as he is young and will be shooting it awhile.

I have also thought about 11-87's. I will accept any input you guys have.

[Nick5182]

I would also go for an 11-87. The synthetic models out there are around 550 bucks and the nice walnut stocked ones are about 650 and up. They are great semi-auto guns all around.

[jmr40]

If he insists on 3.5" shells in an auto the Benelli Super Black Eagle is probably the way to go. Expensive, but probably the best option for those big shells. If you can convince him to stay with 3" shells there are many more options, at much more reasonable prices.

Remington 11-87's are fine with 3" shells, but I've heard of too many problems with the 3.5" shells out of them.

There are many good 3" guns and I cannot think of one I would not recommend, except maybe some of the budget guns. There is always the option of buying used. I have a Benelli M-1 that has been a great gun for me. I bought it used for about 60% of what the new M-2's were selling for.

The Beretta's are probably the best gas auto out there and can be found used at reasonable prices as well.

If on a more limited budget I highly recommend the Stoeger M2000. They are very similar to the Benelli M-2, but at about 1/3 the price.

[hamourkiller]

I would get him a 3" 1187 or 1100 (if Remington still makes them). Then when he needs 3.5" performance, buy some hevi shot or tungsten matrix shells.

Note:
My 1187 is very finicky about being clean, much more so than my 1100's. That just means I wipe the gas tube and sealing rings down after every hunt and carry a small spray can of WD-40 or Rem oil in the field.

[otcconan]

If you can find it used, a Remington 1100 Lightweight. I am currently 5'4", and when I started shooting at 13, was 4'8" and that was enough gun for me. The blowback action helps with recoil. My dad cut 2" off the buttstock and that was plenty to make it an effective shotty for dove.

[chas08]

If he insists on 3.5" shells in an auto the Benelli Super Black Eagle is probably the way to go.
I had a benelli sbe1 break firing pins twice in a seven year period while shooting 3.5's at geese. I no longer own it. An 1187 supermag now fills its billet. So far, without issue. Unless he is going to hunt geese with large steel shot, a good 3inch gun would be all he would ever need. It would help to know your pricepoint. Most 3.5 inch auto loaders are in the four figure price range. I paid about $650 for my 1187 super-mag special purpose, lightly used. It's the satin finished, walnut stocked, stainless mag tube, version that has been discontinued for a few years now. And as I said, so far so good. With that said, in light of all the Q/C issues that Remington seems to have in their newer products. I would be hesitant to buy anything new from them right now.

[hometheaterman]

I've a fan of older 1100 magnums. The Benelli Super Black Eagle II's also seem to be great but pretty expensive. I have a buddy with a 3 1/2" 11-87 and it's decent but does jam some. Niether of us think it's near the gun of the older 1100 Magnums. We use them to deer hunt with buckshot though. I don't think you can go wrong with a Browning, older Remington, or a Benelli. I just wouldn't buy a new Remington. Another one that gets great reviews is the Beretta 390 they sell at Walmart.

[Virginian]

Before you buy a Super Black Eagle be sure to shoot one. I was right on the cusp. I had shot a buddy's with target loads, and I wanted 3-1/2" capability with steel, and I liked the looks and feel of the Benelli. I shot 3" and the kick was stout plus, but I could hit with it. I shot less than a box of 3-1/2" and you could not pay me to shoot it again. I ended up with a specially lightened (as in machined) 10 gauge BPS so don't tell me I can't handle recoil. I swear the SBE was worse than a Mossberg 835. My buddy still had some of the first box of 3-1/2"ers he bought when he died. He stuck to 3"ers too.

[Kingcreek]

The first thing to do is convince him that he doesn't need 3.5" shells. 3" will do just fine if he does his part. The second thing is to get his hands on as many 3" autos as possible and let him decide. I like the Beretta lineup myself but the Browning/Winchesters are excellent also.

[oneounceload]

I ended up with a specially lightened (as in machined) 10 gauge BPS so don't tell me I can't handle recoil.

NOT liking recoil is not a sign of weakness or a lack of maleness - it IS a sign of intelligence as recoil's effects are cumulative over time resulting in debilitating injuries to the neck and shoulder.

A young person whose body is still growing really doesn't need that type of punishment, especially from 3-1/2" cartridges

[bernie]

Just to clarify, he is not going to be using 3 1/2" shells anytime soon, that is simply for sometime in the future. He currently uses a full sized 870 shooting 3" magnums, so he does not need nor desires some sort of a smaller sized shotgun. Thanks for the input so far.

[Kingcreek]

My comments on the 3.5" shells are based on my own experience. I have a Winchester SX2 chambered for up to 3.5 but after the first couple boxes in the blinds and field, I realized that they don't kill anything any better than 3" (even big fat Canadian geese).