SemiAuto Shotgun for under 800

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rennsport

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So for most of my life I have been shooting clays in my backyard with a Stevens 311e and a hand thrower. Last spring I decided to get a little more serious and start doing it as a hobby. (not that I wouldn't have called my interest in guns a mild addiction long before that) I bought a Do-all aerial assault and a MEC9000G and have been shooting like crazy ever since. At this point I feel that a nice semiauto 12g is in order. I would like a quality firearm that i will continue to use as I start to actually visit trap, skeet, and sporting clay ranges.

I don't know all that much about semiautos. People have suggested just about every major brand new and used. I am wondering what length barrels to look for, what features, and what brand? I like to shoot light loads (8.5 @ 7/8 ounce) so I have been told I need to worry about cycling issues, is this true and how can I avoid shotguns that will have these problems. What would you recommend?

I would rather buy lightly used as I feel I will get more for my money, but I am open to anything. In a perfect world I would love to have wood furnishings and some kind of engraving on the receiver but that's just a wish.

Thanks in advance, and I apologize to anyone who has answered a similar question in the past.
 
Remington 1100 hands down. They are normally $300-$500 used and will last a lifetime with a little TLC. 28" vent rib, modified or Remchoke barrel. Heavier than other brands but soft shooting. I bough mine used in 1976 and it is still going strong.
 
A Remington 1100 or a Beretta 3**, whichever feels best to you, should fill the bill nicely. There are other guns out there that will also probably work, but why try to reinvent the wheel, and they are both widely available used in excellent condition. A gas operated gun will shoot softer and be more reliable with light loads. I totally agree with your decision to buy a used firearm. It may satisfy you for life, or you may decide after you get more formal experience that you want something else, and at that point if you have taken decent care of it you shouldn't lose a dime. I have had over 40 shotguns, and shot hundreds more, and an 1100 is still my favorite semi. Beretta 390 is also excellent and their best effort so far, in my opinion. I do not like O/Us, but love SxSs myself. Good luck.
(You have excellent taste. I got an Aerial Assault as well and am really impressed so far. I still have a MEC 700 that has had everything replaced at least once, too. :))
 
if you watch the auction sites there are deals to be found, on auto,s and o/u,s and pump shotguns. i found this 11/87 12ga trap with a extra barrel both have rem chokes for less than 700.00 delivered several months ago. i too got a early 1100 in the 60,s and as long as i had it,it was a clay buster. fast forward i now own two 11/87,s and four 1100,s and use them for trap-skeet and sporting clays.i do have three o/u,s and a single shot and use them also for the clays games. i have four 9000g mec,s and find them to be very good presses. go shoot and enjoy your self. eastbank. ps i like the morgen adjustable butt plates.
 

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i suggest a beretta, 390, 391 or A300. very trouble free and dependable. they are all available in wood. a rem 1100 would be ok but the berettas are more trouble free in general. i know i have both. check out prices at wholesale hunter.

the gas autos are easy on the shoulders and the berettas function well with the 7/8oz loads which is what i use for target shooting in my 391 and A300.
the berettas have shims in the stock that are adjustable for cast and drop.the rem 1100 does not, so you can fit a beretta to you better.

good luck,

Bull
 
i hear all the talk about trouble free non gas guns, but i shoot my gas guns (1100-11/87,s) close to 600 rounds with out any problems at all and i,m not to lazy or busy to clean them then, and if i find it to hard to clean my gas guns i,ll just shoot my o/u,s. i use 18.5 grs red dot with 1-1/8 oz of #7.5-#8 shot for most of the clay games. eastbank.
 
All fine choices. I have 2 older (80s) 12 ga. Browning 2000 shotguns. One is a trap model, one is a standard field/hunting model. I've seen them at shows for ~$400 for reasonable ones.

The thing that makes them nice for trap or skeet is the "speed loading port" on the left side of the receiver. Basically, you slide a shell into the magazine on the left side. If you only insert the shell part way, you can release it and spring pressure pushes the shell back, the action picks it up and you're loaded with a shell in the chamber and ready to fire. It's very handy for trap, although it was designed so that a hunter can insert a different load very quickly if the need arises in the field.

These are gas operated and pretty easy on the shoulder. Steel receivers and nicely made. Just don't discount them if you see one around.
 
I do like my Remington model 1100, which I have 3 barrels 22",26", and 30" all but the 22" have rem chokes. I also like my Browning Gold Hunter that has a 26" barrel and a bunch of other choke tubes (from my Browning BT-99) all inter-changeable. I'm sure either could be had for at or under $800.00 slightly used.
 
Beretta 390/3900/3901 would be my 1st choice. Totally reliable with all kinds of ammo and handles well. Used ones can be found in the $500-600 range.

If you want to spend a little less - a Mossberg 930 is a good choice.
 
Thanks for all of your advice! I found Remmington 1100 "special" for $425. HERE What do you guys think? Right price? Right Model? Anything I should look out for? Thanks again!
 
That's probably not a bad choice, the first thing that jumps out is the English stock. Are you ok with a straight stock??

The price seems in line if it's in good shape.
 
That barrel is not original to the Special Field. Probably better than the original 21" or 23" (I forget which years were which) for shooting clay pigeons.
The Special Fields only said "Special" on a lot of them. You got a good gun if it is as advertised.
 
Sounds to me like an excellent bargain, I'm kind of partial to the English stocks myself. You can always get a new barrel for it if need be, but I doubt you'll need it with the modified choke, for what you plan on using it for.
 
Although I personally greatly prefer Inertia Recoil autoloaders for their reliability, simplicity and light weight, for shooting light loads I recommend a gas gun. I'm unaware of any new name band gas guns with an MSRP in your price range.
 
right now there is a remington 1187 premier trap on gunbroker at alittle over 500.00. eastbank. ps it just went off for 520.00 and that was a very good buy.
 
Man, I just unloaded a bunch of Beretta 390's and Rem 1100's. In a "lightly used" gun, either one of those should suit you fine. Just make sure you get the right barrel on the Rem, pref with choke tubes.
 
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