Ok, so why is it the best? Do you have any experience with it? I didn't say I wanted the best, just wanted something that works.
I don't have any personal experience with it beyond handling them in gun shops, but I know several goose hunters who do have them, and they will function with 2 3/4" Trap loads. as well as 3 and 3 1/2" duck & goose loads. (mostly 3")
While the Benelli Super Black Eagle III is considered the best waterfowling auto, (and there is reason for that) it is an inertia gun, and very punishing with even 3" shells. (Yes, I
have done that.) The gas operation of the Beretta is the most reliable of the gas autos in 3 or 3 1/2". I agree with cdb1, the Remington Versa Max would be a good substitute, if you can find one. The Sx4 has a trigger that's a bit heavy and (until it wears in) gritty, but otherwise is a decent gun. i don't know how the 3 1/2" handles lighter loads, though. The Silver Field 3 1/2" like the Gold will only go down to 1 1/8" Field loads (3 1/4 dram eq., equal to a hot Trap Handicap shell, so don't expect to be dove hunting or Trap shooting much with either Browning. The Affinty 3.5" is still an inertia gun, though with a nice pad on it to tame the recoil some. I don't know how these handle light loads either.
As for 3 1/2", I traded a 3" 870 in on a 3 1/2" 870 because I believed all the hype about it for Turkey hunting, but while punishing my shoulder at the patterning board, I noticed the patterns were not as good with 3 1/2" shells ( or 3") were as good as the patterns for the 30" Full 3" 870. I traded the 3 1/2" toward another 3" 870. Never did get a Turkey with either gun, but it wasn't because of the gun. The turkeys where I was hunting only showed themselves during deer season, and vice versa.
