Chris Miller
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I am looking for a decent auto loading shotgun for fast action predator hunting. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Decent auto-loading shotgun?
- Thread starter Chris Miller
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JNewell
Member
Gauge? Price range? Reasonably reliable semiautos are significantly more expensive than comparable pumps.
Smitty in CT
Member
The Mossberg 930 is the best autoloader on the market for the money...
The Beretta 390 / 3901 are excellent guns, but a little more money....
A good used Remington 1100 is also a good choice....
As stated above, lots of factor involved, budget, type of shooting, etc....
The Beretta 390 / 3901 are excellent guns, but a little more money....
A good used Remington 1100 is also a good choice....
As stated above, lots of factor involved, budget, type of shooting, etc....
oneounceload
member
If I had to choose between the various brands out there (and eliminating the uber-expensive, but very good Benelli), it would be one of the Beretta lines.
Reliability is second to none, parts and repairs are everywhere, performance is top-notch - even from the wally world version
Reliability is second to none, parts and repairs are everywhere, performance is top-notch - even from the wally world version
waterhouse
Member
If you don't mind the light weight (can be a little punishing with heavy loads) there are some Beretta 1201 police trade ins on the market now. Basically a Benelli M1 for closer to $400.
I also like the regular gas operated Beretta line. For less money the Mossberg 930 seems nice . . .handled several and shot a few, but not enough to form a strong opinion on them yet.
I also like the regular gas operated Beretta line. For less money the Mossberg 930 seems nice . . .handled several and shot a few, but not enough to form a strong opinion on them yet.
Cabela's has the Beretta 3901 on sale this weekend for $549. Be there before they open...
BTW I have a "nice" 391 Urika and a couple of the matte/black 390s (aka Wal-Mart 390, though one wasn't from WM). Beretta's autoloaders, whether low- or high-priced, have the same build quality, and look pretty much the same inside, though the matte ones have matte black bolts and the shinier models have polished chrome bolts. With something like the Wal Mart 390 or the 3901, you can get a truly good gun with a plain finish, for what these days is cheap.
BTW I have a "nice" 391 Urika and a couple of the matte/black 390s (aka Wal-Mart 390, though one wasn't from WM). Beretta's autoloaders, whether low- or high-priced, have the same build quality, and look pretty much the same inside, though the matte ones have matte black bolts and the shinier models have polished chrome bolts. With something like the Wal Mart 390 or the 3901, you can get a truly good gun with a plain finish, for what these days is cheap.
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hometheaterman
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I don't like Remingtons in general, but if you can find a nice older 1100 in nice condition that would be my choice. The older ones are just great.
If you want something new the Beretta mentioned above is a good choice, the Benelli Super Black Eagle II is a great choice, and there are a few others, but those would be my top choices.
If you want something new the Beretta mentioned above is a good choice, the Benelli Super Black Eagle II is a great choice, and there are a few others, but those would be my top choices.
I had an old 1100, one of the "good ones". Sold it to help finance another Beretta. The 1100 is pretty on the outside, in a retro 1960s way, but beauty has to be more than skin deep in my book, and the 1100 is a rattletrap under its shiny skin. It's a surprisingly functional rattletrap, but it's not "just great" when you really get to know it. The trigger is crappy and at the wrong angle to the trigger finger, the internal parts are cheaply made, the gas system fouls up quickly, the magazine spring retainer is a cruel joke, and you can cut your finger if you reach inside the receiver. Some people still like them, but they've been bested by other autos for many, many years now.
Just got back from the Sporting Clays range, where there was an unusually high number of autoloaders in our group. Every single one of them was a Beretta. So was the autloader in the cart of the shooting instructor who passed by.
While I didn't have an autoloader today, my range gun for really nasty weather is the Wal-Mart 390 in 12 Gauge. It works great, dries out easily when wet, and I generally shoot it as well as a much "nicer" gun.
Just got back from the Sporting Clays range, where there was an unusually high number of autoloaders in our group. Every single one of them was a Beretta. So was the autloader in the cart of the shooting instructor who passed by.
While I didn't have an autoloader today, my range gun for really nasty weather is the Wal-Mart 390 in 12 Gauge. It works great, dries out easily when wet, and I generally shoot it as well as a much "nicer" gun.
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throdgrain
Member
You're right Armedbear, over here too there's 4 or 5 Beretta semi-autos to every one of everything else.
I love my retro 60's look 1100 though and I'm sticking with it
I love my retro 60's look 1100 though and I'm sticking with it
Snarlingiron
Member
I had a beautiful 11-87 Premier. This thing was just gorgeous. It would not, however cycle two successive rounds no matter how much it was worked on. Traded it in on one of these:
I bought mine at Bass Pro and walked out the door for $250.00 difference. I couldn't be happier. This is now my hunting gun because I don't worry about it when it gets rained on, dropped in the mud, dragged through the brush, etc.
I bought mine at Bass Pro and walked out the door for $250.00 difference. I couldn't be happier. This is now my hunting gun because I don't worry about it when it gets rained on, dropped in the mud, dragged through the brush, etc.
Texas Gun Person
Member
I'll be different and say Winchester Super X2
I am not familiar with this term. What is it?
AB you are pulling my chain...
Chris Miller
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- Sep 15, 2010
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As in, squeak em into shotgun range, and attempt to get a shot off before they do an about face and depart at 45 MPH.
I really like my Winchester Super X Model 1, fixed imp cyl. I'm no auto-shotgun expert, but I bought it used in really nice condition in a Pawn Shop for less than $400, have shot a lot of nuisance gray squirrels with it, and it functions flawlessly, "feels" good, shoulders naturally, and is nice to look at too.
Les
Les
Thanks Chris, now I am tracking. The Mossberg 930 is about the best auto loader for the money. But you can't go wrong with any of them really.
ShowMe2
Member
Chris,
Here's a few reasons to at least look at an 1100:
1) Forty-seven years of continuous production...
2) Over 3.5 million manufactured and still going...
3) Because of 1 & 2, used ones are reasonable and parts are easy to find...
4) Ranked 3rd in Field & Stream's "Top 50 Shotguns of All Time"...
5) Ranked 4th in Skeet Shooting Review's "Top 10 Skeet Guns of All Time"...
6) IMO polished blue steel and walnut is better than satin finish, black stocks or X wood.
I've shot 1100's over 30 years now and always had good luck with them. I briefly used a police version in my cop duties serving arrest warrants so I've trusted my life to one. I presently own 3 of the Sporting Models (12,20.28)...beautiful polished blue, steel receiver, very reliable, and excellent wood. The Sportings would probably not fit your needs, but 1100's have been made in all kinds of configurations and gauges.
Lots of excellent autoloaders out there...good luck in your search.
Here's a few reasons to at least look at an 1100:
1) Forty-seven years of continuous production...
2) Over 3.5 million manufactured and still going...
3) Because of 1 & 2, used ones are reasonable and parts are easy to find...
4) Ranked 3rd in Field & Stream's "Top 50 Shotguns of All Time"...
5) Ranked 4th in Skeet Shooting Review's "Top 10 Skeet Guns of All Time"...
6) IMO polished blue steel and walnut is better than satin finish, black stocks or X wood.
I've shot 1100's over 30 years now and always had good luck with them. I briefly used a police version in my cop duties serving arrest warrants so I've trusted my life to one. I presently own 3 of the Sporting Models (12,20.28)...beautiful polished blue, steel receiver, very reliable, and excellent wood. The Sportings would probably not fit your needs, but 1100's have been made in all kinds of configurations and gauges.
Lots of excellent autoloaders out there...good luck in your search.
arizona98tj
Member
That or a FNH SLP Mark1 would do it, just like Sundsvall said. Those Mk1s really run sweet.
JNewell
Member
Yeah, but I think the original request was for reliability at lowest cost. A used 1100 might do. The Wally 390s were a super value and few semis run as reliabily as a Beretta. That 3901 mentioned above is a very good value.
I just picked up an NEF Excel SA-128 semi-auto for $317 at Walmart. It is very light and it cycles fairly quickly. It's maybe not the fastest, but it's still fast enough. I got the model with the synthetic furniture on it. The fit and finish on it are phenomenal for the money. I bought it for a knock around gun. I'm just very happy with the gun.
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