Help Me Find My Do-All Shotgun
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Deer Hunter
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GZOh,
There are numerous threads with your exact question answered numerous times. I suggest you use the search function instead of hijacking another thread.
In any case, I think a remington semi-auto would do well. What's wrong with an 1187?
There are numerous threads with your exact question answered numerous times. I suggest you use the search function instead of hijacking another thread.
In any case, I think a remington semi-auto would do well. What's wrong with an 1187?
I'm only aware of 1 gun that meets all of your criteria and that would be the Benelli M-2 or a used M-1. Another possibility would be the Stoeger 2000. I had a Stoeger for a while and for 1/3 the money of my Benelli it performed just as well. I'm just not sure if you can get an extended tube for it.
If you can live with a 26" barrel I would have no problem recomending the 11-87. The 11-87's with shorter barrels are designed for heavy magnum loads only and will not function reliably with lighter loads. Not good for an all around gun in my opinion. The Stoeger and Benelli are offered with a 24" barrel and work just fine with both heavy and light loads.
If you can live with a 26" barrel I would have no problem recomending the 11-87. The 11-87's with shorter barrels are designed for heavy magnum loads only and will not function reliably with lighter loads. Not good for an all around gun in my opinion. The Stoeger and Benelli are offered with a 24" barrel and work just fine with both heavy and light loads.
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Deer Hunter
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Why wouldn't the shorter 11-87s work with light loads? Is the gas tapped off at different places in the shorter and longer barrels?
rantingredneck
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The deer barrels (21") do not have enough barrel length past the gas ports to cycle with light loads.
You want to dove hunt/skeet shoot with it buy a second barrel in 26 or 28" length.
BTW, another vote for the 11-87.
Mine has 21" RS Remchoke barrel (can have any choke I want including rifled) and a 28" Remchoke barrel for dove hunting.
You want to dove hunt/skeet shoot with it buy a second barrel in 26 or 28" length.
BTW, another vote for the 11-87.
Mine has 21" RS Remchoke barrel (can have any choke I want including rifled) and a 28" Remchoke barrel for dove hunting.
Deer Hunter,
It is my understanding that the shot leaves the shorter barrels too quickly and the gas does not have time to build up enough pressure to work the action with lighter loads. I do know that if you read the owners manual for Remington 11-87's they specifically suggest using only heavy loads in the shorter barreled versions. If you look at a Remington catalog or their website anything with a barrel shorter than 26" is designed for either turkey or deer where you would most likely be using heavier loads anyway.
I once had an 11-87 with a 26" barrel that gave me problems with light loads. After calling Remingtons customer service I was told that even the 26" barrels had problems when new and it would become more reliable after breaking in. It did.
It is my understanding that the shot leaves the shorter barrels too quickly and the gas does not have time to build up enough pressure to work the action with lighter loads. I do know that if you read the owners manual for Remington 11-87's they specifically suggest using only heavy loads in the shorter barreled versions. If you look at a Remington catalog or their website anything with a barrel shorter than 26" is designed for either turkey or deer where you would most likely be using heavier loads anyway.
I once had an 11-87 with a 26" barrel that gave me problems with light loads. After calling Remingtons customer service I was told that even the 26" barrels had problems when new and it would become more reliable after breaking in. It did.
mgregg85
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Put some rifle sights on the 1740, it can get the job done.
Deer Hunter
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I'd like a gun that is reliable out of the box with both light 2.75" and heavy 3" loads.
The 1740's next improvement will be mag-tubes. That'll come when it comes.
Anyway, so what I'm seeing is that Remington's autoloaders wont be as reliable with certain loads when fired from a 22" barrel? No dice. Too bad too, I know how to work on them. I'll look into the other offerings.
The 1740's next improvement will be mag-tubes. That'll come when it comes.
Anyway, so what I'm seeing is that Remington's autoloaders wont be as reliable with certain loads when fired from a 22" barrel? No dice. Too bad too, I know how to work on them. I'll look into the other offerings.
I know you specified an auto, but for pure reliability with a wide range of loads nothing is going to beat an 870. Especially with a shorter barrel.
As I noted in an earlier post a 24" Benelli or Stoeger is about as close as you are going to get in an auto.
As I noted in an earlier post a 24" Benelli or Stoeger is about as close as you are going to get in an auto.
Deer Hunter
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I know I'll get utmost reliability from a pump, but I'm pretty dead set on an auto. I have a pump and a SxS, so now I want an Auto. Reliability trumps all, so it looks like I'll have to be on the lookout for a used M1.
Since my all purpose is a Browning BPS (pump) with different BBLs, similar to Johnny Guest ideas, I will give you my new thinking. If I were to start over again, it would probably be with a Remington 11-87.
LOTS of parts and accessories out there.
The problem with some of these choices are parts. If you can't get it from the factory, you may be out of luck. Remington stuff is available almost everywhere. That has been a problem with setting up my Browning, not much out there. I justdon't think you can go wrong with a Remington.
LOTS of parts and accessories out there.
The problem with some of these choices are parts. If you can't get it from the factory, you may be out of luck. Remington stuff is available almost everywhere. That has been a problem with setting up my Browning, not much out there. I justdon't think you can go wrong with a Remington.
jpatterson
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My old man has had an 11-87 for as long as I can remember and I don't think he has ever had any problems with it. At least none he has brought up with me.
StealthyBlagga
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+1 for the 11-87
I'm a big fan of the 11-87. I've been using one since the mid-90s for 3-gun and clays. They do need to be kept cleaner than the Benelli, but on the plus side they are a lot cheaper (particulary used ones) and softer shooting. There is a huge array of accessories for them, and you can legally put a pistol-grip stock on them (which I find appealing, others may not). Mine has been 100% reliable provided I keep it clean, lubed and replace the consumable gas seal o-ring when I see signs of sluggish cycling. The Remington gas guns are as robust as hell - go to any clay club in the nation and you will find loaner Remington 1100s and 11-87s that have had tens of thousands of rounds through them without a major problem.
The Benellis, Winchester/FN and Beretta Extrema are other nice semi-autos, and I hear good things about the new Mossberg, but for my money I would go with a Remington gas gun every time.
I'm a big fan of the 11-87. I've been using one since the mid-90s for 3-gun and clays. They do need to be kept cleaner than the Benelli, but on the plus side they are a lot cheaper (particulary used ones) and softer shooting. There is a huge array of accessories for them, and you can legally put a pistol-grip stock on them (which I find appealing, others may not). Mine has been 100% reliable provided I keep it clean, lubed and replace the consumable gas seal o-ring when I see signs of sluggish cycling. The Remington gas guns are as robust as hell - go to any clay club in the nation and you will find loaner Remington 1100s and 11-87s that have had tens of thousands of rounds through them without a major problem.
The Benellis, Winchester/FN and Beretta Extrema are other nice semi-autos, and I hear good things about the new Mossberg, but for my money I would go with a Remington gas gun every time.
Deer Hunter
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SB,
What barrel lengths are you running, and do you have problems with light loads from sub-26" barrels?
What barrel lengths are you running, and do you have problems with light loads from sub-26" barrels?
Nolo
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You mean your pump IS a SXS?
11-87 sounds like a good bet, but I am really not all that knowledgeable in the semiauto shotguns department.
(Go for the Auto-5!)
Deer Hunter
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I was in Gander Mountain today, and I decided to check out the shotgun section.
So the Stoeger is a copy of the Benelli M1?
Do they use the same parts?
I saw one 11-87. I liked it. If I could find one that's in my configuration, that would be wonderful.
So the Stoeger is a copy of the Benelli M1?
Do they use the same parts?
I saw one 11-87. I liked it. If I could find one that's in my configuration, that would be wonderful.
Gunsby_Blazen
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I am under the impression that Beretta/Benelli have the rights to inertia driven actions, and the Stoger brand under them. Berettas and Benellis are going to cost you over a grand most likely. the stoeger, i havent heard much from it. The Benelli shotguns are good I know. It most certainly will be a BIG purchase if you go with Stoeger's parent companies. I am not really a Shotgun guy so I don't know how much my input is useful. As most people have stated here already, my favorite is the Remington 870 but its not an auto...
goodluck
goodluck
Deer Hunter,
I bought a 24" Stoeger 5 years ago for $350 and used it for 2 1/2 years with zero problems. It was my first experience with the inertia action and I was very pleased with the gun. Right after Benelli replaced the M-1 with the M-2 I found a used M-1 that someone had traded in on the newer model at a price I could not turn down. Six months later someone offered me $375 for the Stoeger and I let it go.
They operate on the same principal as the Benelli but only the choke tubes will interchange. The recoil spring on the Stoeger is in the foreend vs in the butstock for the Benelli. The Stoeger will hold 4 rounds in the magazine + 1 in the chamber. The Benelli is 3+1. I know extended mag tubes are available for the Benelli, but am not sure about the Stoeger.
Bottom line for me at least; I could not justify $1200 for a new Benelli when I could get a new Stoeger for $450. If you can find a good deal on a used Benelli I obviously would have to consider that option.
A 26" barelled 11-87 would not be a bad choice really. As other posters have suggested a 2nd shorter barrel could be purchased and you would still be well under the cost of a new Benelli.
My personal choice is either the Stoeger or a used Benelli but that is primarily because my style of hunting involves a lot of walking and I like the lighter guns. I'm primarily a hunter and not a clays shooter so the greater recoil is less of a problem because I carry my guns more than shoot them.
Good luck with your choice.
I bought a 24" Stoeger 5 years ago for $350 and used it for 2 1/2 years with zero problems. It was my first experience with the inertia action and I was very pleased with the gun. Right after Benelli replaced the M-1 with the M-2 I found a used M-1 that someone had traded in on the newer model at a price I could not turn down. Six months later someone offered me $375 for the Stoeger and I let it go.
They operate on the same principal as the Benelli but only the choke tubes will interchange. The recoil spring on the Stoeger is in the foreend vs in the butstock for the Benelli. The Stoeger will hold 4 rounds in the magazine + 1 in the chamber. The Benelli is 3+1. I know extended mag tubes are available for the Benelli, but am not sure about the Stoeger.
Bottom line for me at least; I could not justify $1200 for a new Benelli when I could get a new Stoeger for $450. If you can find a good deal on a used Benelli I obviously would have to consider that option.
A 26" barelled 11-87 would not be a bad choice really. As other posters have suggested a 2nd shorter barrel could be purchased and you would still be well under the cost of a new Benelli.
My personal choice is either the Stoeger or a used Benelli but that is primarily because my style of hunting involves a lot of walking and I like the lighter guns. I'm primarily a hunter and not a clays shooter so the greater recoil is less of a problem because I carry my guns more than shoot them.
Good luck with your choice.
Deer Hunter
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Alright, I think I'm going to try and find an old 11-87. If it's action is like that of the 1100, I already am accustomed to it. I can put a 21" remchoke barrel on it afterwards.
Thanks for the help guys.
Thanks for the help guys.
rantingredneck
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Deals are out there on used 11-87's.
My setup:
I purchased a used but very good condition 11-87 with 21" VR Remchoke barrel and 21" Rully rifled barrel off gunbroker for 399.00+20.00ship+20.00 transfer. 439.00.
Sold the rifled barrel for 150.00
So now I'm at 289.00 for the gun.
Purchased a used but VG condition 28" barrel for 85.00 from a member here. (289+85=374).
Purchased +3 Rem extension from a member here for 65 (65+374=439).
I could have stopped there and had a nice setup with 2 barrels. I decided though that I wanted a riflesighted Remchoke barrel for it. Bought it for 174.00 (incl shipping) and now I'm at 613.00 for a gun with 3 barrels and the ability to switch back and forth between standard 4+1mag capacity and 7+1.
My setup:
I purchased a used but very good condition 11-87 with 21" VR Remchoke barrel and 21" Rully rifled barrel off gunbroker for 399.00+20.00ship+20.00 transfer. 439.00.
Sold the rifled barrel for 150.00
So now I'm at 289.00 for the gun.
Purchased a used but VG condition 28" barrel for 85.00 from a member here. (289+85=374).
Purchased +3 Rem extension from a member here for 65 (65+374=439).
I could have stopped there and had a nice setup with 2 barrels. I decided though that I wanted a riflesighted Remchoke barrel for it. Bought it for 174.00 (incl shipping) and now I'm at 613.00 for a gun with 3 barrels and the ability to switch back and forth between standard 4+1mag capacity and 7+1.
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