Spend 1k of my money

[Joemidd]

Think of a new shotgun. Uses skeet, 5-stand and sporting clays. 12ga semi-auto must be able to cycle 1oz light loads, 3inch chambers is a plus but not a must. I want to shoot 150-200 rounds per trip without taking a beating. Thinking of the usual suspects 1100, 11-87 the Brownings, benelli and beretta models. I want a gun that will endure years of use and remain reliable and hold value. A sporting weight gun would also be a plus to help with recoil. Tell me the plus and minus of each you have tried.

 

[wgp]

For target games I prefer the over/under, but your criteria is an auto. So, my personal preference is the Benelli. I have used a model M1 Super 90 for years and I don't think it has ever failed. Many of my friend swear by the Benelli Super Black Eagle, a fancier gun that is more expensive ($1K+. You should be able to get an M1 or M2 under $1K, or go used). The recoil-operated Benelli, I believe, is less likely to cause trouble than the gas-operated systems almost everybody else uses. Berettas just don't fit me properly and the only one I have experience with has been extremely unreliable. I also have a great fondness for the Browning A5 -- no longer made but widely available. Also recoil-operated, and heavy but that might help you when shooting a lot. I have two and they simply always work and for me, they point exceptionally well.

 

[oneounceload]

For that budget, a used Beretta 390 or 391 TARGET version will be available. Just bought the wife (after she tried many types), the A400 Beretta semi - USED it was $1400. If all it is for is clays, you do not need a 3" gun as that ammo is illegal.

Remington pro - heavy to absorb recoil - con - the design is about 60 years old and the piston and o-ring system can start to fail when it gets dirty fairly quickly

Beretta gas guns - THE standard for clay games when it comes to semis - of those who finish in the winner circles the most often and shoot a semi, the Beretta target guns are the one

Both of those have parts readily available everywhere and should handle light loads fairly consistently

Benellis - pro - run cleaner due to the inertia system; con - gun is lighter and recoil will be more and they may or may not like your light load

I can't speak to the Browning.

If you want to keep from getting beat up -

FIRST, make sure whatever gun you decides on FITS - most folks getting beat up shoot a gun that does not fit them properly - it is worth the money, if you shoot that much, to find a true "fitter" and have the stock tweaked however necessary to ensure a proper fit

SECOND - shoot the lightest and slowest load your gun will reliably fire. Start with 3/4oz @ 1200fps and go up slowly to 7/8oz @ 1200. You'll be surprised just how well they pattern and break targets. You might need to choke one constriction tighter - i.e., instead of a skeet choke, you might need an IC - but the lower recoil makes them a joy to shoot

Good luck!

 

[Joemidd]

I have a older citori I use now. Just looking for something else to try. I have never owned a semi-auto shotgun, I could go up to 2k for a budget, what doors would that open?

 

[Virginian]

I would think either a Remington or a Beretta, whichever fits you best, would fill the bill well. I have never had an 1100 not go well over 200 rounds without any issues, but I will add that even if I shoot 2 rounds, the gas system gets a quick 3 minute spray and wipe at the end of the day before going back in the safe. I have shot Berettas, they just don't feel as good to me, but the guys that own them don't seem to have any problems either.
I wouldn't want any recoil or inertia gun for your uses (in fact I wouldn't want one at all, period). They don't do a thing to reduce recoil, regardless of what the "fit is everything" inertia proponents tell you, and I haven't found one I liked the feel of yet, except for a Super Black Eagle 1 I was thinking of buying, until i touched off a couple of 3-1/2" loads. That thing was much more vicious than my specially lightened 10 gauge pump shooting full house loads.

 

[oneounceload]

Up to 2K means new versions of the Beretta, Remington, Benelli, and I am sure Browning.

If you can find a clean used one at your local clays club for less, I would get that and put the money into getting it fitted properly from the get go. Depending on your build, you might need more than the shim or two that the Italian guns come with - you might need to add an adjustable butt system for example, to alter pitch, cast, drop at the heel, or length of pull. You might need an adjustable comb to allow for a better fit, etc.

If you are one of the "lucky" average-sized folks that the guns are made to fit out of the box, GOOD for you - get the new gun. I am, however, not so lucky.....

 

[Snarlingiron]

I bought a used AL390ST, 30" barrel used. I have put many thousands of rounds through it, as did the previous owner. I can honestly say I have never had a failure of any kind. I shoot el cheapo 1 oz stuff in it. Even the stuff that is supposed to jam up never does. I liked it so much I bought another one, but 28" barrel and synthetic stock to dove hunt with. Same story. It has been dropped in the mud, dragged through the brush generally received all the abuse that I can dish out to a hunting gun, and never a failure. Even when it was full of mud (the action, not the barrel, obviously). I own 13 shotguns including a Browning Cynergy Sporting with adjustable comb, 30" barrels and some beautiful wood, but if I had to give all of them up but one it would be the used AL390ST.

Yep, I like 'em.

The current equivalent is the 3901, and it can be had in your price range.