Lightest recoil Semi-auto shotgun

Status
Not open for further replies.
I'm not sure what the original poster's intention is, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Browning Gold/Silver/Winchester SX3 "active valve" guns. They seem to have quite the reputation for space shooting semi-autos...
 
I have a Benelli m2. If not shouldered tight, it will hurt with 3" mag turkey loads. I got kinda lazy with 20 ga. guns, got the M2 and got technique back.
 
I've got a limbsaver pad on an 1100. Put it on for slugs and such, but with birdshot the main way you have of knowing that he gun went off is the sound of the action cycling. Well, that and the target falling out of the air, if you did it right.
 
Saigas don't come with folding stocks...

Regardless of what shell you use, if you 'fold' the stock then you have broken the gun.
Click to expand...
Incorrect. It takes less then 2 minutes to remove the factory stock and put a folder on. There are folding stocks for both converted and unconverted Saigas. I have one.
 
I know some posters said the Beretta was softer-shooting than the 1100, but I have shot both back to back, and I have to say I felt like the 1100 was a little lighter. Now granted, I have a big recoil pad on my 1100.

Probably can't go wrong with either.
 
Thanks for all the opinions, it looks like an 1100 is probably a good call as it's in my budget. Barring that I'll take a look at the Mossberg 930 as it's a decent bit cheaper then the Beretta offerings.

Thanks!

-Jenrick
 
My last two Beretta 390/391 rigs were bought lightly used for less than six bills, and the current Uplander A300 is selling NIB for right around that. My issue with the Mossy is both their intermittent QC issues and the fact that the 930 for me handles like a soggy fencepost.
 
I had been thinking of a 935 Mossberg for waterfowl. I love the Mossberg ergos. BUT, I stumbled into another Mossberg pump, nearly new condition, for 170 at a pawn shop, so it went home with me. It's a 535, chambered for 3.5", but will shoot 2 3/4 which I mostly shoot since I don't goose hunt more'n a couple times a year. I have owned a 500 for years, plastic/camo, that I duck hunt with. The 535 is wood/blued steel, but it'll be USED. :D

I still think about getting a 930, though, just to have, but my Winchester 1400 is a soft recoil 12 and with the left hand safety and the safety being in front of the trigger where it should be if you're stuck with a crossbolt, may not be as good ergos as the Mossy, but it works for me. If I got a 930, I think it'd be a 20 gauge. I could shoot it all day for a week and it wouldn't make me sore. :D But, then, the old Winny doesn't even have a recoil pad and it don't bother me even hunting doves in T shirt weather.
 
Bought a barley used Beretta 390 after last years dove season. (have used a Ithica 37 in the past and it wore my shoulder out last year.) I have shooting clays recently getting ready for the season. The 390 is lightweight and shoots soft, but, picked up a used 1100 20 LT, 2 weeks ago and there is no recoil. If I can find a mod choke tube that will fit it, I will be shooting a 20 this year.
 
MCgunner: I have a 535 Waterfowl (28" barrel), and it shoots and handles well. I don't hunt anything but clays, but it would do good work on live targets based on how well it busts clays when I do my part.

-Jenrick
 
Bought a barley used Beretta 390 after last years dove season. (have used a Ithica 37 in the past and it wore my shoulder out last year.) I have shooting clays recently getting ready for the season. The 390 is lightweight and shoots soft, but, picked up a used 1100 20 LT, 2 weeks ago and there is no recoil. If I can find a mod choke tube that will fit it, I will be shooting a 20 this year.
Click to expand...

Chokes for Remington are widely available, even at Gander and similar big box stores let alone from Briley, Tru-lock, Carlson's, etc. directly

The 390 is not a light gun in 12 gauge
 
Recoil

Mcgunner and oneounceload are right about fit being most important for comfort in shooting and I would add design. The lower the barrel sits in the receiver, the less effect of recoil. The thrust of recoil on a barrel or the barrels in OU that set lower in the receiver will be more in line with the stock and into the shoulder. Barrel's that sit higher point of thrust will be slightly above the stock and result in more recoil. I've shot a single barrel Browing Trap for a round of trap and it was a dream to shoot...never aware of recoil. The barrel was buried in the receiver. The old Model 12 Winchester was great to shoot for the same reason. My .02
 
MCgunner: I have a 535 Waterfowl (28" barrel), and it shoots and handles well. I don't hunt anything but clays, but it would do good work on live targets based on how well it busts clays when I do my part.

-Jenrick
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I shot well with it on dove one morning last year. I mostly figure to use it on waterfowl. It swings a little heavy compared to my Winchester 1400 and a lot heavy compared to my 20 gauge Spartan SxS, but adjust to it and it kills doves.

Funny thing, I was hunting over a mojo with the 535 and I was missing a lot. I was too close to the mojo for that heavy 12 gauge gun, had to back off to 30 yards or so, then I started connecting. I hunt a lot with my 20 and that thing just springs into action on its own. But, it was just a matter of improvise and adapt strategy. :D Once I backed off the mojo, I shot well, went 5 for 5 at one point.
 
Just to clarify... Try shooting a saiga 12 with the stock folded... See if it cycles. Let me know how it works out for you.
 
I have experience with the 1100, 11-87, and the Beretta 390's. I traded an 11-87 in on a Beretta AL390, because of reliability issues. In my experience the 1100 / 11-87 are lighter in perceived recoil than the Beretta. Not by much, but to me they feel lighter. Nice 1100's and 11-87's can be had for not much money. With that said, I would buy the Beretta 390, 3901 or 391 over the Remingtons in a New York minute based on my experience with both. In fact I did buy a very nice AL390ST for $450.00, used, that I wouldn't trade any Remington ever made for. That's just me, your mileage may vary.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Do any tactical 12 gauge semi autos cycle reduced recoil ammo reliably?
Replies
9
Views
848
DougW
DougW
K
  • Locked
Semi-Auto Shotguns
Replies
2
Views
533
Milkmaster
Milkmaster
B
  • Locked
The 9mm vs. .45 ACP of Shotgun threads
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Two Cold Soakers
T
D
  • Locked
Benelli SBE II vs. Beretta Extrema2
Replies
19
Views
6K
kirbythegunsmith
K
V
  • Locked
HELP! I can't decide on a new shotgun! (Benelli M1 or O/U?)
Replies
20
Views
882
45R
4
Back
Top