Which Auto Loader - Semi Auto for Clays????????
- Thread starter g4string
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627PCFan
Member
As a courtesy, stay away from the ported clays guns, your friends will appreciate their hearing in 5 years-
How about a used Montefeltro?
How about a used Montefeltro?
kentucky_smith
Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2005
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- 1,686
I'd look for a Remington 1100 or a Beretta 391.
RNB65
Member
Beretta AL391 Urika.
Go to any sporting clays competition. The vast majority of shooters using semi-autos will be shooting Beretta 391's. Nothing else is even close.
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Go to any sporting clays competition. The vast majority of shooters using semi-autos will be shooting Beretta 391's. Nothing else is even close.
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I recommend the the Beretta AL391 Optima (over bored). Several levels of finish and bling, but they are all based on same stuff where it counts.
I have tried a several guns in that price range and keep coming back to the Beretta AL391 Urika.
The Remington 1100 just does not feel right to me...just does not fit me well.
Benelli make a nice gun and they feel go to mount, but they seem harsh and I had problems with lighter loads.
Some say the Beretta takes too much cleaning time.
After every outing, I run a bore snake through my Beretta and give the action & trigger group a good shot of cleaner/lube, but I only clean the gas system every three to four cases of shells. Works for me, but your mileage may vary.
I have tried a several guns in that price range and keep coming back to the Beretta AL391 Urika.
The Remington 1100 just does not feel right to me...just does not fit me well.
Benelli make a nice gun and they feel go to mount, but they seem harsh and I had problems with lighter loads.
Some say the Beretta takes too much cleaning time.
After every outing, I run a bore snake through my Beretta and give the action & trigger group a good shot of cleaner/lube, but I only clean the gas system every three to four cases of shells. Works for me, but your mileage may vary.
Milkmaster
Member
If you want to shoot clays with a semi-auto, I vote for the 1100. Many more of the 1100's at the local trap ranges here. At least for the working class folks I mostly see. Some of the reason may be cost of the Beretta. Both are nice guns and reliable. Reapir parts are plentiful for either should you need them. Enjoy!
1100 is not a good choice for ducks and skeet. You'd want to get two different barrels. That makes it far too expensive for what it is.
Best NIB gun for that money is probably the US-made Beretta 3901. It will shoot skeet loads and duck loads, it swings nice, and it's not too expensive.
Best NIB gun for that money is probably the US-made Beretta 3901. It will shoot skeet loads and duck loads, it swings nice, and it's not too expensive.
throdgrain
Member
I use my Benelli M2 for all kinds of clays, sporting, skeet and down the line, never fails, as reliable as you can get.
It's also shot no small number of wood pigeon and rabbits in its time too
It's also shot no small number of wood pigeon and rabbits in its time too
BozemanMT
Member
Beretta 391
all that and pretty too
all that and pretty too
JNewell
Member
Have a 391 and a couple of 390s. I really prefer the gas system in the 390, which is the same as the 3901, although I like the slimmer stock and forearm on the 391. The 390 is at least as dependable and very simple to strip, clean and reassemble.
Virginian
Member
I recommend the Remington 1100, but that is because it fits me and I like the way it points. You should go and handle some shotguns and see how your tastes run. An 11-87 is a slightly updated 1100 that will digest 2-3/4" and 3" fodder. You may prefer the Beretta, or something else. You will find much more in your price range used. Browning once made a B 80 that a few people loved. Good luck.
I'd get the Winchester Select Field that CDNN has for $899. Yes, that's a NIB Belgian-made Winchester O/U for 900 bucks. They're great guns.
Range shooting is one- or two-shot. I'd much rather have two chokes, no flying hulls, and a gun that rests comfortably on a toe tab between shots, and cleans up in a minute or two, than any semiauto ever made.
Have used almost nothing but an O/U in the field, too, since I finally got the first one.
The only exception is someone who is very recoil-sensitive. A gas-operated semiauto can really help. Otherwise, the O/U wins on every count I can think of, assuming you don't have to pay twice as much for it.
Range shooting is one- or two-shot. I'd much rather have two chokes, no flying hulls, and a gun that rests comfortably on a toe tab between shots, and cleans up in a minute or two, than any semiauto ever made.
Have used almost nothing but an O/U in the field, too, since I finally got the first one.
The only exception is someone who is very recoil-sensitive. A gas-operated semiauto can really help. Otherwise, the O/U wins on every count I can think of, assuming you don't have to pay twice as much for it.
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Smitty in CT
Member
The Mossberg 930 would serve your needs very well, you'd get all of the reliability PLUS you'll save yourself $350 - $600, thats a lot of $$ for ammo and range fees...
atblis
Member
No Contest
Beretta 391 Optima. This is coming from a Remington shooter. The Remingtons shoot just fine, but I am sick of replacing dumb little parts. The Beretta is just a better design with better manufacturing.
Beretta 391 Optima. This is coming from a Remington shooter. The Remingtons shoot just fine, but I am sick of replacing dumb little parts. The Beretta is just a better design with better manufacturing.
You know they have these wonderful things called ear plugs?
atblis
Member
I will agree
I too think it's a waste of money. None of my guns are ported. However, I've never noticed that it makes shotguns obnoxiously loud (definitely louder though).
I too think it's a waste of money. None of my guns are ported. However, I've never noticed that it makes shotguns obnoxiously loud (definitely louder though).
Our trap range has a building behind the 27 yard line, with a wide veranda where you can rack your gun, have coffee, etc. (Really, it doesn't look as nice as I just made it sound, but it keeps the sun/rain off you anyway.) The echo in there when someone shoots one of the more recent Brownings with the collander barrels gets really loud.
Dirtypacman
Member
Another Beretta 391 owner and I would recommend it to everyone.
SimpleIsGood229
Member
Go handle as many shotguns as you possibly can. Get someone with experience to come with you, so (s)he can ensure you pick the gun that fits you best. Remember: fit is everything!
That's the only advice I can give.
That's the only advice I can give.
atblis
Member
Good idea
Even better. Go to a skeet/trap range and shoot them. Very very few people will turn you down if you ask if you can shoot their gun. It's a compliment. Just say, "hey, I was thinking of buying one of those, would you mind if I shoot a round with your gun." Heck, most people will offer without even having to directly ask them. Often they'll even offer to supply the ammo. Etiquette demands you turn down the ammo offer (unless it's a gauge you don't have).
Even better. Go to a skeet/trap range and shoot them. Very very few people will turn you down if you ask if you can shoot their gun. It's a compliment. Just say, "hey, I was thinking of buying one of those, would you mind if I shoot a round with your gun." Heck, most people will offer without even having to directly ask them. Often they'll even offer to supply the ammo. Etiquette demands you turn down the ammo offer (unless it's a gauge you don't have).
Hawk
Member
Never say "never", I guess.
I'm gradually coming to grips with the ported one I got due to a mis-communication on an order.
But, apart from the ribbing I take due to my having sworn I'd never own one, it's not bad. The porting doesn't accomplish anything but it's mostly harmless. Browning sure does put a lot of holes on those sporting models. Lots of holes. It shoots nice enough I'm almost over it. Fortunately, we don't have an overhang of any description.
As to the OP, the semis where I hang out are mostly 391s and Browning Golds with more of the former. The Browning folks seem a happy lot despite the fact that I'm now one of them by virtue of my new much-ported O/U. The Golds are ported too. We've learned to embrace the ports; become one with the ports. It's a zen thing.
mswestfall
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2006
- Messages
- 437
I bought a used AL 391 Parallel Trap. It's a great gun.
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