Good semi-auto field gun under $500

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Jordan85

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Had my first shotgun experience today. Been want to go shoot sporting clays for a while now, and my coworker invited me today. Had a blast. Now I am looking into getting a good field gun to get started w/.

I do not know much about shotguns (know more about handguns right now), but I would like to get a good semi-auto, 28-32" barrel, 12 or 20 gauge gun. I would like to spend less than $500 if at all possible.

What is the consensus on the Charles Daly Superior II?

What other guns do you recommend that meet my criteria?

I wouldn't consider usually for handguns, but should I look to buy used?

How should I decide whether to get a 12 gauge or 20 gauge? I was shooting a 12 gauge Mossberg pump w/ 18" barrel, and the recoil did not bother me, so I am not worried about recoil. More I just want to why you would want one vs. the other? Especially if you were thinking about competing w/ it eventually?

Thanks in advance for the responses
 
I just tonight bought a Remington 11-87 used off Gunbroker for 399.00. With two barrels.

I'd shop around used.

I did not have good luck with the Charles Daly Maxi Mag semi I owned. Intermittent failures to fire (light primer strikes).
 
Stoeger Model 2000 hands down. Great looking gun, great furniture, and flawless function, same operating system as benelli M1 and exact same guts as a Franchi I 12 for a fraction of the price. Would definately recommend the 12 if you will ever be hunting or serious about sport shooting, way more versatile, since it sounds like it will be your only shotgun. I believe that you can pick up a m2000 for around 450-480 at most gun shops, and I believe the longesty barrel they have is 28", just fine for all around use. I have had an M2000 for about a year now and I oftedn find myself taking it over my Win SX3 or anything else\. While it does not compare with the benneli, at less than 500 dollars the benneli inertia systen makes the stoeger rival autoloaders 3 or 4 times the price.
 
No, it won't be my only shotgun. Eventually I would like a hd shotgun. But it is not of major concern to me. I already have 3 handguns and I seriously, seriously, seriously doubt I ever see the day I will have to use one. Right now I am more concerned w/ buying a good sporting shotgun.

So, with this in mind, would I be better off starting w/ a NEW economical m2000 like you suggested, or would you recommend looking for USED more expensive gun like a R1100?
 
Personally, I think I would definately go with the inertia operated stoeger rather than the gas operated 1100 or 11-87 regardless of the price. JMHO
 
Used 1100.

Last forever with new springs and O rings. Tons of after market stuff.
Click to expand...

Definitely a good choice. I'm currently using one that was my dad's from the early 80's.
 
+1 on the 1100. easier recoil than any inertia gun I ever shot. Good ones can be found in your price range. Take your time and find what fits you and shoots well.
 
Look at any used Winchester 1400, love mine. Beyond that, I have heard LOTS of good things about the Mossberg 930s and the Remington Spartan M453 (a Baikal). I have considered getting one of these two, actually for me, the 935 Mossberg (3-3.5" loads). Everyone that I talk to that owns either of these seems to have many kudos for 'em, though I have no experience with either.....yet. :D
 
If I wanted a good gun for clay target use in particular (and general use also) around $500, then I would purchase the Beretta 390 with synthetic stock that Wal Mart sells for $529. If used guns are being considered (and why not), then get a used 390 with the wooden stock.

My second choice in that price range would be a Rem 1100.
 
How big of difference would their be b/w the stoeger's recoil vs the rem's recoil? I keep reading that the gas operated guns have less felt recoil, and that the main benefit of having a simple intertia op is that it can funtion in tougher conditions, w/ less cleaning, less parts, etc.

I am very meticulous w/ my guns, so this gun will not be going long in b/w cleanings. I may eventually want to hunt w/ it, but the main use for it will be sporting, and it will be pampered, so the gun does not have to be able to 'take a beating,' so to speak. Also, hd is of little concern for me (as I stated in my initial post). I just want a good sporting shotgun, the cheaper the better, though I would like to get some nice wood if possible, as my collection is rapidly turning into nothing but the black oh so feared by the ignorant. I actually saw a very nice looking rem1100 at my local shop the other night, w/ nice engraving on the receiver and very glossy stocks. I think it was $399 used (though it looked so nice, I'm beginning to wonder if it was $899 new and I just wasn't paying attention). I think it was a 26" barrel though.

How big of a difference does 26" vs 28" barrel make, especially if you decide to shoot competitive?

Also, what is the difference b/w a reg and mag receiver?
 
I'd combine your HD shotgun money with your field shotgun money and get a good field shotgun and use it for HD too. Look for a Beretta AL390, Remington 11-87 or 1100. You might get lucky and find a good deal on a used Beretta AL391 or Browning Gold too. A buddy just bought a used Browning Gold Hunter for $500. I'd also go for the 28 inch in 12 gauge.
 
stoeger m2000 has more reciol than an 11-87 and DO NOT buy the m2000 I have a stoeger condor and love it but go to the bennelli forums and go under soteger firearms and all you will find is complaints about the m2000 I was thinking about one too but not after the stuff i read there long story short the 2000 is a piece of crap
 
Isn't a lot of those problems b4 Beretta took over though? I thought their qc went up when Beretta took over....
 
Jordan85,

I'm sure it must be confusing to you about which gun to buy. You asked for a recommendation and so far you've got about 8 or 10 different guns recommended to you.

If you are going to use it mainly for sporting clays usage, I think it would be wise to look at what autos the experienced sporting clays shooters use. I'm talking about the guys who put 10,000 rounds (or more) per year through their guns. I can tell you from personal experience that the overwhelming choice of serious sporting clays shooters is the Beretta auto...... either the 391 or its predecessor the 390. Why do they choose the Beretta? The answer is simple. It's because they work dependably. They're like the Energizer bunny. They just keep on going, and going, and going, and .............. going.

Save up a few more coins and buy a new or used Beretta 390 or 391. You won't regret it.
 
Jordan85, you are correct, M2000 had a few problems before taken over by berretta , just make sure , if you do get one, that it is one w/ the fiber optic front sight (newer). And yes stoegers being both inertia and fairly light guns do kick more than most.. Don't get me wrong, 1100 and 11-87 are both great guns. One other very nice gun that you can usually find used for a reasonable price is the Browning B80(gas) I do not specifically kbnow the improvements between the b80 and the Browning silver but I have a B80 and like it qalot.Hope this helps and good luck w/ your decision
 
I recently obtained both a Stoeger M2000 and a Remington 11-87 Premier. I bought the Stoeger at Dicks for $399.00. There WERE problems with the earlier units, but the recently produced ones seem to be fine. Mine has been absolutely flawless through about 375 rounds so far. It does have a different recoil impulse than the gas operated guns. My perception is that it delivers a bit more of a concentrated "whack" while the gas guns deliver more of a "push". I don't find the whack particularly objectionable. A limbsaver recoil pad makes it hardly noticeable. You can differentiate between the older and newer models by the presence of the fiber optic front bead. The older ones had a plain bead.

On to the 11-87. This is very similar to the 1100, with the main difference being that it will chamber 3" rounds while the 1100 will take only 2 3/4". A used 1100 is a great suggestion, because the latest greatest darling child (the Beretta line) is getting all the attention, and a good chunk of the sales. The Beretta is a fine gun, no doubt. On the other hand a nice used 1100 as has been pointed out can be had for a lot less money, and it absolutely will not let you down. Before the Berettas became so popular, the 1100 ruled the clay games roost. My understanding is that the main advantage of the Berettas over the 1100's is that they will operate longer with less cleaning than the Remingtons. On the other hand, I have heard from a number of folks that when you do clean the Beretta it is quite a chore to disassemble and re-assemble. The Remington is a piece of cake.

I intend to use the Stoeger primarily for hunting duty, and reserve the 11-87 which is very pretty for the skeet range. I just can't bring myself to beat it up in the brush.

I will admit that a day at the range putting 150 - 200 rounds through a 12 ga. is more comfortable with the soft shooting 11-87 than it is with the Stoeger.

So...lots of good suggestions. Remington 1100 is good. I bought the 11-87 for $425.00 from another THR member, and I am pleased as punch. The Berettas are a very fine choice indeed, and the Stoeger ain't no slouch either.

There are plenty of other good choices too. There are lots of ways to skin a cat.
 
Thanks for all the great advice so far guys....

So what difference do you see when you switch from a 26" to 28" barrel? Different patterning? Different gun balance? Recoil?

Also, so I have something to compare it to, how does the recoil of the stoeger compare to that of a mossberg 500? I was shooting that in 12 gauge 18" barrel yesterday and was not bothered by the recoil at all...
 
The best value in an autoloader on the market today is the Mossberg 930.

You can get a multiple barrel combo for under $500. They are extremely reliable, don't require a "break-in" period, and don't require a Limbsaver recoil pad so that they don't rattle you fillings loose.

Do a search... they are as good as any autoloaders costing hundreds more...

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