smith&wesson vs italian shotguns

[stedram]

I am new here and i would like your help in shotguns.
What is your opinion about smith&wesson shotguns vs italian shotguns like benelli-franchi-berreta?
are smith shoguns good and realiable for hunting?

 

[classic095]

S&W

I am a range officer at a Trap range and I see every kind of gun imaginable come to the range..

Every smith and wesson semi auto I have seen has been having problems. I know there are some in here that will say theirs has been perfect, which may be well and true, but it my experience that the Smith and Wessons do not perform well..

 

[JohnBT]

Hmmm, now that you mention it, I haven't seen or shot a S&W shotgun in the year since they began importing them from their factory in Turkey.

John

 

[ArmedBear]

For the same prices as a Beretta, Franchi or Benelli, I wouldn't buy a Turkish shotgun if you held it to my head. I don't care how well S&W claims they make them.

 

[browningguy]

The Smith's look good, assuming you are talking about the doubles. Personally I would prefer a Beretta or Franchi if the price is even close. And I put my money where my mouth is, I bought a Beretta BL4 this past weekend.

I'm afraid they are using market pricing, ie pricing at the Beretta price point, while using the cheaper labor in order to get margins up. To me that's good business practice, but why would I bite as a consumer if there is no cost advantage to me. I KNOW the Beretta wil hold up for many thousands of rounds and be utterly reliable, to take a flier on a new import I need some kind of compensation, meaning a significantly lower price.

 

[MAKster]

S&W is selling overpriced shotguns made in Turkey. You can buy other shotguns made in Turkey for significantly less money. I wouldn't be surprised if S&W drops them from their lineup due to lack of sales.