Best inexpensive auto for clays.....

[wardog]

A buddy wants to get an auto for clay target shooting. I'm recommending a Beretta 391 (like mine ) but I don't think he wants to spend that kind of money on one at the moment.

Anyone have any experience with any inexpensive autoloaders that would work well for informal clay shooting? Low perceived recoil and the ability to shoot the cheap 2 3/4 loads reliably are probably the biggest factors.

How about the Huglu autos (now imported by CZ), Verona (Sarsilmaz), Franchi, Charles Daly, etc? Am I missing any? Anyone have any experience with the ones above? (especially the Huglu/CZ)

 

[Tomac]

Saiga-12 (22" bbl, $269 at CDNN). Get 'em while you can, EAA is no longer importing them and it may be 8+ months for another importer/distributor to get lined up.
Tomac

 

[WhiteKnight]

I've always heard good things about the Remington 1100s.

 

[wardog]

I did think about the Siaga, but with 22" barrel I'm not sure it would swing/feel right for clays, and I'm guessing it doesn't come with choke tubes. I was thinking of more of a traditional type of auto. It's not for me though, so I'll mention that one to him. (On a side note I want a Siaga myself, but for more of a defense role than clays. ) Tomac, IIRC you've got one modified with a pistol grip right? Way cool. Have you found a cheap source for hi caps yet?

I also looked at Remington's site before I orignally posted. They don't seem to make a no frills cheap 1100 any more. The 1100 Sporting model is really the only choice (in 12G) and it's MSRP is $900. My Beretta 391 Sporting was around $740.

That's why I was asking about the others, especially the CZ/Huglu. Dealer cost on it was just over $300. With shipping, transfer fee, and tax it would still be under $400 out the door.

 

[kudu]

You may take a look at this site to give you a few more ideas and prices

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Search.asp

 

[sm]

Used

I'd be checking out Used 1100s, Berettas, and such.


kudu neat site...sheesh...and folks think I'm bad to tempt folks...

 

[Tomac]

Tomac, IIRC you've got one modified with a pistol grip right? Way cool. Have you found a cheap source for hi caps yet?

Actually, I have 3 now...
Barring a diplomatic/legislative miracle you'll never see "cheap" and "Saiga hicap mags" in the same sentence together (sigh...) The only reliable source I've found is in the UK and you're still looking at $76/mag shipped (almost as expensive as my NDM-86 Dragunov .308 mags!). Here's one of my converted Saiga-12s, the Bulgarian rubber recoil pad slips off when not needed.
Tomac

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I just bought a stoeger model 2000 about a month ago. So far so good. It uses benelli's inertia recoil system, which kind of makes sense because benelli/beretta owns stoeger.

 

[anapex]

Hit the used shotgun racks of local stores and start looking. I've seen used A5s around $500 and my personal favorite Winchester 59s and 50s in the $250-$300 range. It just takes a little more time hunting them down.

 

[wardog]

Tomac, that is sweet. Does it shoot/cycle the cheap shells reliably?

Another friend of mine bought a new Stoeger Benelli copy and really likes it. I was really looking for a gas operated model for less perceived recoil though. I'll get to fire that Stoeger one day so I'll get a better feel for it then.

I have been looking at the used racks locally, and will continue to do so.
It doesn't have to be in perfect condition, so that should help me. I did see an old beat up A5 for $350, but I keep remembering another friend who has one and has had multiple problems with it, and it doesn't like the cheap loads very much.

Ironically a good used 1100 came in to my local FFL a few months ago but I wasn't paying much attention to it at the time and it's gone now.