What's the best CHEAP semi-auto?

On a different tack, I second the CZ recommendation. In 2004, my wife bought me an Armscor 20ga S/S. It started “doubling”.
Efforts by local gunsmiths were fruitless. Even a Browning authorized shop couldn’t fix it. I had LGS where it was purchased send it back to distributor/importer. 9mos later, my LGS finally ran my gun down.
CZ had taken over import/distribution of the Turkish built gun. During transition, my/dealers info had been lost.
CZ, unable to fix/repair the gun, sent me a BRAND NEW CZ marked GUN! Also, returned my fitted Pachmayer OldEnglish pad from first gun!. I was able to measure the pad and new stock and cut it such that pad is a perfect fit. New gun has been flawless. I’ve taken waterfowl, deer, pigs, quail, even western grouse and pheasant with it.
Can’t beat CZ’s customer service/support!
Second to NONE!
Even where they could have legitimately “balked”.

Remington Model 11 / Savage 720,745/55.

MtnCreek said:

I'm looking at getting an A300. I've never shot one, so this is not a recommendation, it's just the direction I'm probably going for an inexpensive autoloader. I believe they're made in the USA.

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I have 2 Beretta A300 Outlanders and they have been really great shotguns. I will say, if you're mostly shooting light loads they may have some ejection issues until they are broken in with a few boxes of shells. Once broken in they are great. I've been hunting waterfowl in the rain and mist, and some freezing cold upland hunts and have always performed flawlessly. Game loads or higher velocity target loads work perfectly. If you shoot light target loads you'll need to break them in.

ColoradoMinuteMan said:

I have 2 Beretta A300 Outlanders and they have been really great shotguns. I will say, if you're mostly shooting light loads they may have some ejection issues until they are broken in with a few boxes of shells. Once broken in they are great.

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Same experience here... Mine, out of the box, was flawless with 1 1/8oz. loads, but had an occasional problem cycling 1 oz skeet loads. After two boxes of 1 1/8 oz., it would shoot 1 oz. loads perfectly, but would have an occasional problem with 7/8 oz. skeet loads. Once it had a few more boxes through it digested everything with absolutely no trouble. I think it's an excellent gun, especially for the low price.

desmobob said:

Same experience here... Mine, out of the box, was flawless with 1 1/8oz. loads, but had an occasional problem cycling 1 oz skeet loads. After two boxes of 1 1/8 oz., it would shoot 1 oz. loads perfectly, but would have an occasional problem with 7/8 oz. skeet loads. Once it had a few more boxes through it digested everything with absolutely no trouble. I think it's an excellent gun, especially for the low price.

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Ditto. The first time out I brought a case of 7/8 loads Winchester white box that were on a ridiculous Black Friday sale when I also got the shotguns. I had 1 out of 5 rounds that would stovepipe. I thought "oh crap." I happened to have a box of pheasant shot with me and sure enough 25 flawless rounds. I was relieved to read the internet reviews that recommended a 50 round heavy shot break in and sure enough after about 3 boxes of high velocity target loads it would cycle those crappy 7/8 Winchester White box without issue. The Outlander is what I shoot the most. My shoulder and cheek love that soft shooting gas operating system. It's a 12 gauge that shoots like a 20 gauge. It feels particularly good against a recoil operated semi in my opinion. I can shoot sporting clays all day and enjoy it to the last shot.

The A300 was the second Beretta semi-auto I’ve purchased. I knew I shouldn’t have based on my first, a 3901 and from the results experienced when shooting friends Berettas. Even with shims Berettas just don’t fit me and I can’t shoot them accurately at all. And I can’t judge fit by shouldering a shotgun in the store. The A300, 3901 and Benelli Vinci I bought(and sent down the road) felt great in the store but I couldn’t shoot them. It wasn’t an issue with the shotguns, it was me b/c my neighbor shot them and my son shot one of them and did great.

So I finally gave up and haven’t been tempted since to buy a shotgun that didn’t fit, because I do know what fits me, a semi with a 14.25” LOP, 1.5” DAC 2.25” DAH. Every shotgun I’ve ever owned with those stock dimensions, either out of the box or altered to those dimensions, I’ve shot very well.

I currently own Browning, Winchester, Weatherby, Franchi and FABARM semi-auto shotguns. After buying a Franchi and a Winchester that I shot very well and figuring out the commonality between the two, every shotgun I’ve purchased has those dimensions, with the exception of the two Beretta’s and Benelli, which were stupid of me to buy.

So OP, what I’m trying to say in a long ramble is don’t buy a shotgun because you like the brand. If at all possible shoot as many shotguns as you can and purchase a model you shot well. I know that’s not always possible though.

As an aside I think the two shotguns made today that mirror each other in terms of quality, price and value for the amount spent are the Beretta A300 and Remington V3 Sport.

My $0.02 - I love the Remington 1100.

Get a good used Model 1100 and never look back.

1100. Virginian, Armored Farmer and I have well over 100 years of experience between us with them, and we all have unhesitatingly recommended them.

If the vast majority of your shooting will be skeet and/or sporting clays as you’ve said, I’d go with an 1100.

If the situation was reversed I wouldn’t.

About 5 years ago I bought a Weatherby SA08 for my grandson and it has been 100% perfect ! He shoots sporting clays , 5 stand and also dove hunts with it .

Bought a Remington 11-87 couple of years ago in 20 gage. Action seems a tad stiff, but gun has always performed flawlessly. Would buy again if I needed another.

Virginian said:

Get a good used Model 1100 and never look back.

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I must agree. I purchased a new Remington 1100 Trap Grade back in 1972. I still have it. It has fired thousands of rounds in the last 47 years. It still looks and shoots just like it did the day I took it out of the box and put it together.

All it's ever needed in all that time were 2 O-Rings. Since then I've purchased and own dozens of different shotguns. Single shots, pumps, O/U's, SXS, other semi auto's. Even a bolt action. But the 1100 has always had a special place in the safe. It was there first. It has never failed. And it will remain as long as I'm still breathing.

I paid 124 for my 11-87 brand new. I would say that is cheap

I have a 45 year old 1100 that still gets it done.

If your an A5 type of guy I still see decent hunting condition Remington Model 11 Shotguns for $200-300. Just make sure your Bronze Friction Piece and Friction Spring, Recoil Spring and Action Spring are in good condition and you set it up correctly for the loads you shoot

Some people will tell you they shoot hard but that's what happens when the BFP and Springs are worn out or it's set up for light loads and you are firing heavy. When the bolt hits the back of the receiver it multiplies recoil.

I shoot a 1100 mostly because I shoot it better but in my experience the A5/M11 system is more reliable and robust.

94045 said:

Some people will tell you they shoot hard but that's what happens when the BFP and Springs are worn out or it's set up for light loads and you are firing heavy. When the bolt hits the back of the receiver it multiplies recoil.

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This. Set up correctly A5’s are very soft shooters in my experience.

cdb1 said:

This. Set up correctly A5’s are very soft shooters in my experience.

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And they don't crack forearms.

Well, what can I say.....
I also have an 1187. And 4 barrels!!!

All extra barrels were picked up used. I have a 24” VR RemChoke, 21” IC RifleSights slug barrel, and a 21” RC Cantilever scoped barrel.
Last time I hunted with it 3yrs ago.

This is why I don’t deer hunt with it now


The Mossberg M220 is a superior slug gun offering better accuracy, trajectory, and range.

For reasonable priced used barrels e-Bay is your friend.

Rudolph31 said:

If you’re going to buy a cheap Turkish shotgun, make it a CZ. Turkish guns are a crapshoot but CZ-USA stands behind them with excellent customer service.

Personally, I’d look for a late 50’s, early 60’s Auto-5.

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If you like the A5 but are broke look for a Remington M11 (Browning Patent). They actually shoot pretty soft if the friction rings are serviced and set correctly. They are essentially the same shotgun but way cheaper.

94045 said:

If you like the A5 but are broke look for a Remington M11 (Browning Patent). They actually shoot pretty soft if the friction rings are serviced and set correctly. They are essentially the same shotgun but way cheaper.

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There is also the Savage 720 and the Springfield 745. The Springfield is an alloy receiver version.

I have a 930 JM PRO I used for 3 gun and another basic 930 I have used for ducks, doves, and turkey. I am happy with both.

FL-NC said:

I have a 930 JM PRO I used for 3 gun and another basic 930 I have used for ducks, doves, and turkey. I am happy with both.

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I had a 930 combo that came with a 28” field barrel and a rifled slug barrel. I bought it about 9 months before the ammo and firearm shortage caused by Sandy Hook. I sold it during the shortage because someone truly made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I was impressed with the 930 and if I only had one shotgun for everything I wouldn’t feel disadvantaged with one.