NEW Hunting Semi-Autos?

[geo57]

I just bought an Impala Plus Carbon Fiber finish 12 GA all black synthetic, 28". I haven't hunted with a semi auto for over 40 years ( Belgian Browning A-5 I sold circa 1982 ) so between that and the nuances of the disconnector these newer inertia action guns have it'll be a learning experience from the SxS's & pumps ive used since. I hope it works as well as the ones did in the 25 or more reviews I did on them.

 

[SwampWolf]

"It's never a mistake to buy a Browning "

Unless they've "seasoned" the wood.

 

[entropy]

I'll admit a bias toward the 1100, but the Beretta A3xx and A400 series guns are made in versions from upland game to an all-purpose clays games gun (A400 Multi-Target) and are much easier to maintain than the Rem. 1100. The Kick-off option on the Berettas will reduce recoil.
The Win. Sx4 is adequate, though no match for the original Super X1. Remington did make two other good semis besides the 1100, the Versa Max and the V3, and they do still ( or again make) the 1100 and the V3, the 870 pump and will be making the Versa Max again soon.

 

[Anchorite]

Lots of good choices, but not nearly as many with wood and the same gun with wood will be a lot more expensive.



If you insist on wood you'll have to either compromise on reliability and durability or double your budget.

First decide if you want gas or inertia operated.

Gas guns are heavier. The weight along with the gas operation system significantly reduce recoil. But they are a little less reliable unless kept clean. Some don't function well with lighter loads. They would be my top choice for shooting clays. The weight isn't a problem, in fact a plus, for most clays games. And they are easy to keep clean for shooting sports. It's not the same as using it in a swamp duck hunting.

I'd look first at Beretta. But Remington, Browning and Winchester have options.

Inertia guns are lighter and the inertia system doesn't reduce recoil. But at the same time, they don't recoil any worse than a pump or double of the same weight. They function better over a wider range of loads and keep working longer if filthy. They are preferred by waterfowl hunters because you get the reliability of a pump, with a semi auto for faster shots.

For what I do I really like the Benelli M-2. My personal gun is the original M-1. The M-2 is functionally the same, but with some improvements to the stock design. The Super Black Eagle shoots 3 1/2" shells and I don't need it.

I don't know if Benelli offers anything with wood. But if they do it will cost a lot more than plastic.

Well said. And I love my M2 for the same reasons.

 

[JumboJVT]

Benelli Montefeltro. A little more recoil than a gas gun, but with no op rods in the forend, the stock is slim and they both feel and are lighter than a gas gun. And will keep running after the gas gun has choked on its own...gas. After break in (yes, there was a short break in period) mine cycles everything from light 2-3/4 to 3" turkey stompers without a hitch. I had three 1100's (a 20 and two 12's) with manufacture dates from the mid-70's to about '95, and they all has issues with light fodder when they got a little dirty. Maybe the Beretta's and Browning's are better. Then again my gun is 20yo now. Don't know how the new ones are...but they're still light.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I've had Remingtons--Browning and Berettas----I now have 2 Benelli M2's (12 and 20) with no plans on getting anything else---nice and lightweight for hunting and I haven't noticed any excessive recoil---both have comforTech stocks---no wood stocks but there are other Benelli's that can fit that requirement.

 

[hq]

After break in (yes, there was a short break in period) mine cycles everything from light 2-3/4 to 3" turkey stompers without a hitch.

Inertia guns respond well to polishing, deburring and smoothing. My Benellis (except for the M3) have shot 7/8oz skeet and trap loads without a hitch, the smoothest being Centro Supersport that has polished internals from the factory. And they don't mind the heaviest 2oz magnums either, anything goes. During corona lockdown I took my time and did a full action job on a Stoeger M2000, pretty much the crudest, cheapest Benelli-style inertia shotgun there is, and results were nothing short of amazing. A gun that kept jamming even with 1oz high speed sporting loads started cycling 7/8oz reduced recoil loads 100% reliably, and it didn't take much to make its rough action butter smooth. Quite a bit smoother than any factory Benelli (this side of Centro SS) I've encountered.

A similar action job on an already nice Montefeltro would make a more or less ideal all-round shotgun in my book. Polishing a turd for the heck of it is fun, improving a quality gun to perfection is at the next level.

 

[JumboJVT]

Inertia guns respond well to polishing, deburring and smoothing. My Benellis (except for the M3) have shot 7/8oz skeet and trap loads without a hitch, the smoothest being Centro Supersport that has polished internals from the factory. And they don't mind the heaviest 2oz magnums either, anything goes. During corona lockdown I took my time and did a full action job on a Stoeger M2000, pretty much the crudest, cheapest Benelli-style inertia shotgun there is, and results were nothing short of amazing. A gun that kept jamming even with 1oz high speed sporting loads started cycling 7/8oz reduced recoil loads 100% reliably, and it didn't take much to make its rough action butter smooth. Quite a bit smoother than any factory Benelli (this side of Centro SS) I've encountered.

A similar action job on an already nice Montefeltro would make a more or less ideal all-round shotgun in my book. Polishing a turd for the heck of it is fun, improving a quality gun to perfection is at the next level.

I'd be interested to know what work you did. I'd call the action on mine pretty darned slick, and the break-in was only about 50 rnds. I probably wouldn't have even known there was some breaking-in going on as I seldom use really light stuff for anything. But I tried some (don't remember what) right out of the box because I was incredulous about what I'd read. Not complete failure to cycle, but as I remember it one in five or so would fail to load. Couple boxes of mid-of-the-road field loads and all was right with the world.

Looked at just about everything available sub-$1000 when I got fed up with the 1100's (2002, or so) and the Benelli was the only one that checked all the boxes for me.

 

[hq]

I'd be interested to know what work you did.

A bit OT for this thread so I make it quick and simple: deburred and polished bolt and frame rails (fine valve grinding compound -> Mother's Mag & Aluminum -> Farecla G10), beveled/rounded the bolt lower rear edge that cocks the hammer, polished (just Mother's) recoil spring tube, bolt head, barrel lugs, action bars (this one is not applicable to newer Benellis) and finally changed the hammer spring to a ~30% lower powered one. Finished everything with a few dabs of TW25B grease.

Ultra smooth. When you press your ear against the receiver and cycle action slowly you can barely hear the metal moving. Otherwise you don't.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

If I were looking for a new, wood stocked, semi auto my first choice would be a Browning A-5. I know there are lots of good semi autos but the A-5 has been my personal favorite since I first saw one on a gun rack at Sears back in the late 60's.

 

[Pete D.]

Very interesting for me to read about these currently available semis. I am not looking for another semi; it does seem, though, that synthetics have taken over to the detriment of the beauty of wood.
My own semis are older and well used. They have worked for me for a long time. A Winchester Model 59 and a Franchi AL48. Both wood stocked and very light. Upland guns.