Browning Gold?

[Pecos21]

I'm trying to like this gun because it is in my price range and fits me well. However, I am hearing a lot of negative feed back. I currently have an 1100 that I like, but I want something with a removable chokes and thought I would upgrade with something that is lighter and balances better.
Other options include the Beretta 391, and Benelli Montefeltro although they are a little pricey.

Are the Brownings really that bad? I religously clean my guns and have never had any problems from my 1100 with any load so it is hard for me to believe that a Browning could be worst.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for the help.

 

[RNB65]

The Gold is a good gun. My only knock on the Gold is that it has a pistol grip made for huge hands. I had to hold it using an unnaturally high hand position to reach the trigger properly.

If you prefer a fat forearm and huge pistol grip, get the Gold. If you prefer a skinny forearm (similar to an O/U) and pistol grip made for more average size hands, get the 391. Both are excellent.

 

[30-06 lover]

My dad and brother really like theirs, but I have little experience with them. Here is a link I found on them... http://www.gunblast.com/Browning_Gold_Hunter.htm
-Mike

 

[nitesite]

My 12-ga 28" Gold Fusion has been flawless for me. When I miss it is because of me not the shotgun.

If you find a Fusion it comes in a nice hard case and five choke tubes plus interchangeable front sights to suit you.

 

[ArmedBear]

Note that the 11-87 Premier is lighter than the 1100. If you like the 1100, it's worth a look, if for no reason other than you already know how it works, strips, cleans, etc.

I do believe the Browning Gold is available for a better price branded as a Winchester, but I haven't checked prices on all the bizarre variants of both brands' shotguns.

I know people who LOVE their Golds, even in harsh, wet conditions. I don't think there's anything wrong with them.

When you read, say, Gun Tests, you may be surprised at the results they get. Their favorite gun, when they test them head-to-head, and the most common gun you see at the range might be different.

Also, your personal preference might be different, among relatively similar guns.

Now, the unmentioned gun that deserves a real look IMHO is the new Remington 105CTi. 7 lb. for a walnut 12 Gauge with a 28" barrel. I got to shoot one, and I want one.

The only problems are it seems impossible to actually buy one, and even if I did find one, it ain't cheap. But it's no more than your average Beretta, Benelli, Browning, etc.

 

[Skywarp]

Some of the golds are incredibly heavy as well. The newer walnut stockedfusion and sporting ones arent bad but the synthetic hunters are friggin tanks.

 

[cbsbyte]

Personally I would stay away from Golds. Not that I have anything against Browning, or their firearms. They make some very nice O/Us, but I know a couple people that had terrible problems with Browning Golds. One was a 3.5 shell version that had problems extracting shells. He sent it back but the problems never was solved. He ended up trading it in for a Browning O/U. Another good friend has a Gold Sporting Clays model that had feeding issues on all types of loads. It would jam on loading shells into the chamber. The many trips back to Browning never solved the issue. He still has the gun but rarely uses it. I also had the same problems when I used his gun at a SC event. Also Brownings customer service is not considered to be the best in the business, and they are many horror stories about their service. The Winchester autos, which are very similar in design to the Browning but with some different features, are know to be very good guns. They are made in Japan, while the Browning Golds are assembled in Portugal.

 

[ArmedBear]

General advice, of course, is to avoid all 3.5" guns unless you have a specific need. I think they're all heavier than their 3" counterparts, and it seems like a lot of guns with problems are 3.5" versions.

 

[frank c]

I have a browning Gold deer hunter model and a winchester SX 2.I have had great luck with both.They are the 3.5 inch chambers.I have shot several rounds threw both without a hitch.

 

[HSMITH]

I have a couple Golds, they run great and always have. The 3.5" gun was sold to a guy, this guy had constant problems with it. I would clean it up and oil it properly, and it would run for a couple weeks before jamming again. I took the gun back, gave him back his money, and have put a couple thousand rounds through it since without a single hitch. He tells people they aren't good shotguns, I know different. Go figure......

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Gold. I also like my SuperX2 VERY much, it is the single best shotgun I have ever had and I have been through a few.

 

[theCZ]

You must have a pretty heavy 1100 if a Browning gold is gonna be lighter than it! The only Golds I've hefted were pretty heavy. That's not always a bad thing mind you, I love my nine and a half pound O/U because it recoils very soft. My advice would be to buy a new barrel for your 1100 that is threaded for chokes for about $200 and keep on' shooting what you have. Otherwise, I've heard good things about the Browning.

 

[MAKster]

Beretta 3901 Statesman

Is the Beretta 3901 Statesman a better shotgun than the Browning Gold Hunter? They seem to be about the same price.

 

[berettashotgun]

Let's try and straighten out this "gold" thing. I have 2 gold 10gauges- one lite model (aluminum reciever) and a regular (steel reciever). EXCELLENT shotguns in every aspect, best 10 ga made IMHO. MADE IN JAPAN. The Gold 12ga 3" model is ok , I guess, but it's still N.I.B.; and will stay that way. It is made in BELGIUM (by F.N.) The Winchester SX-2 3.5" model I have has more recoil than I'm used to from my Extrema- which I never seem to shoot anymore. THE SX-2 IS MADE IN BELGIUM. I almost always grab the 686 Beretta 12ga 3.5" model that I've wore the blueing off the bottom of the reciever. I bought a 1100 sporting 28ga this year and it is everything I've read and heard about- excellent round- excellent shotgun. I have always used berettas in the field and like the 303 models the best- but- I personally think the 1100 is perhaps the best alltime shotgun, and cannot seem to understand why you don't just get a new barrel for it that has remchokes. :banghead:

 

[RNB65]

Is the Beretta 3901 Statesman a better shotgun than the Browning Gold Hunter? They seem to be about the same price.

The 3901 is basically the old Beretta 390. After Beretta Italy replaced the 390 model with the 391, they found that there was enough demand for the 390 that they setup shop at Beretta USA's factory in Maryland and continued making them under the name 3901 American.

I don't know that 3901's are better than Browning Golds, but I think they're probably just as good. I'd go with the one that fits and handles better.

 

[ArmedBear]

If you have an 1100 already, you need only get a few things.

1. A barrel. They're available brand new for $180 on the 'net. Look around. Hastings barrels from Shotgun Sports magazine, $200, with straight rifling and Briley chokes. Can't do much better.

2. Sling swivels. The 1100 is an 8 lb. gun, but unless you get down to 7 lb., what's the difference? I put swivels on mine and I just sling it when I'm not going to shoot it, with a light nylon/leather/neoprene sling that has a little stretch to it. I can carry it around all day.

3. Ziploc bag of aftermarket O-rings. I know someone whose Alaska hunting trip was nearly ruined because he left the O-ring with his other barrel at home in California. He managed to find one at a shop, but if he'd brought some with him, it would have been a non-issue.

So, for $250 or less, you now have a "new", easy-to-carry shotgun that shoots just like you're used to.

The 3901 is a nice gun. 390s are reputed to be a PITA to clean, though, and a 3901 would cost you a LOT more than $250.

 

[Hoser]

I have two Golds. Both 28 inch hunters. Heavy, but very soft recoiling. Not sure if its a combo of the weight, gas system, and ammo I use.

I shoot skeet, trap, SC, 5-stand and Sportsmans Team Challenge with mine. When I shoot IPSC, its with a Benelli.

I got it originally as a Team Challenge gun because it auto loads if the bolt is locked back.

All in all its a fun gun, but you cant skip your Wheaties if its gonna be a long day at the range.