Which budget semi auto should I buy?

[MrWesson]

I am a bit new to the world of shotguns and shooting skeet and so forth but have a few rounds under my belt. I went on thanksgiving morning to shoot some clays with a big group of guys on a farm and had a literal blast.


So I am in the market for a CHEAP semi auto shotgun. My high end budget would be 400 and the cheaper the better. I am saving for a big purchase right now and spending more would set of alarm bells right now.

I am looking at

Remington model 11.. About 200 for a fair shaped one
Remington model 11-48 about 250-300 like the look better usually in better shape due to age

Remington 1100 used and tough to find one under 400.. this would be my max out gun I might catch flack for buying.
Mossberg 930 found one for about 375 in my state but are hard to find used.
Tristar raptor walmart special for around 300.. these get favorable reviews and it would be new but I dunno it doesn't do much for me.

I am currently leaning towards a model 11 or 11-48 but would like a screw in choke system and having some choice between 20 and 12ga would be nice(all the cheaper ones are 12ga). I like the character these old guns have though.

 

[Mike1234567]

I didn't vote because I don't know enough about the other shotguns but I bought a TriStar Raptor A-TAC and am pleased with it so far. It doesn't fully eject light target loads but it's been 100 percent otherwise.

 

[ugaarguy]

I corrected the price of the Raptor in the poll.

I'd get a Remington 1100 based on your budget and wants. They're a proven option that's still in production. They're also easy to maintain, and parts are readily available.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Buying quality is always cheaper in the long run. You should be able to get a good used Rem 1100 and stay well within your price range. Look for one with a "rem-choke" barrel.
Take care of it and your grandkids will be shooting it when they are your age.

 

[Master Blaster]

Go with the 1100 as was mentioned look for one with a REM choke barrel with changeable chokes. I bought one with a 2 3/4 modified fixed choke barrel for $250 a while back High polish blue and walnut stock in hardly fired condition. Its fine for what I wanted. For about $150 I could have added a changeable choke 3" conversion barrel, or a rifle sighted slug barrel. so still in the $400 range with 2 barrels.

 

[loose noose]

I'd definitely go with the Remington 1100, They are an extremely efficient firearm, and will shoot just about anything you feed it. Pretty good looking also.

 

[MrWesson]

I didn't vote because I don't know enough about the other shotguns but I bought a TriStar Raptor A-TAC and am pleased with it so far. It doesn't fully eject light target loads but it's been 100 percent otherwise.

I've read the newer updated guns have a 2 port system for both heavy and target loads.. Do you have the new 2011+ model?

I corrected the price of the Raptor in the poll.

Thanks.. 300ish is what I put though didn't I?

Go with the 1100 as was mentioned look for one with a REM choke barrel with changeable chokes. I bought one with a 2 3/4 modified fixed choke barrel for $250 a while back High polish blue and walnut stock in hardly fired condition. Its fine for what I wanted. For about $150 I could have added a changeable choke 3" conversion barrel, or a rifle sighted slug barrel. so still in the $400 range with 2 barrels.

Higher end of the budget but you are right the best choice. Like I said I kind of have to slide this by my significant other and $400 after just building an AR my not go over well.

Nice find for 250 but I check a local classified for the state and havent seen one below 400 in a year or so. They go fast and they go for top dollar around here. $400 may be tough enough as it is.

I can't find the tristar raptor locally to fondle but think that may be a nice option as well.

 

[Mike1234567]

I've read the newer updated guns <TriStar Raptor A-TAC> have a 2 port system for both heavy and target loads.. Do you have the new 2011+ model

I don't know. How can I tell? I hope I do because I just bought it brand new approximately 4 months ago.

 

[HisStigness]

I didn't know you could find an 1100 for that cheap. If I may throw another firearm into the mix: I would definitely consider a stoeger/benelli m3500. They are reasonably priced new and everyone I've talked to that has one really likes it.

 

[ugaarguy]

Thanks.. 300ish is what I put though didn't I?

Your finger slipped off the shift key so you had a 4 instead of a $. All good though.

 

[MrWesson]

I don't know. How can I tell? I hope I do because I just bought it brand new approximately 4 months ago.

You have the updated version.

Which target loads give you problems? Considering thats basically all I would use it for.. target shooting clays that could be a problem.

I didn't know you could find an 1100 for that cheap. If I may throw another firearm into the mix: I would definitely consider a stoeger/benelli m3500. They are reasonably priced new and everyone I've talked to that has one really likes it.

They are going for $500+ new.. I haven't found a used one out there yet.

 

[tomrkba]

I have had a great experience with the 1100.

My friend bought a Mossberg 930, but it jams frequently. It likely needs a bit of tuning.

 

[Mike1234567]

Which target loads give you problems?

Winchester Super-Target 2-3/4" 1-1/8oz 7-1/2 shot
and Federal Field & Target 3" 1-1/8oz 7-1/2 shot

Neither of these loads fully eject the empty shell. They seem to always get caught at the rim... they "almost" eject. The gun has been cleaned and lubed and it runs the same as when I just pulled it from the box and started shooting.

EDIT: It looks like it just needs a de-burr and minor polish of a few internal bits.

 

[rule303]

I would go with the 930 if you can find one in your budget, they are a proven performer. A sub $400 Remington 1100 is most likely going to be a well used fixed choke gun, and will require more maintenance than the Mossy to stay reliable IME. The Tristar really isn't a bad gun, in fact we use a couple as loaner/rental guns and have held up to thousands of rounds, but there really isn't any reason to choose it over the 930 unless the price difference is that important.
The most important thing about a shotgun is how it fits you. If you only look at the price tag, you may end up with a gun that you will never be able to shoot very well. If you can save up your pennies for a while longer, and get up into the $600 range it adds a lot more options.

 

[Hunterdad]

CZ 712 is another choice. Great gun for the money.

 

[MrWesson]

Winchester Super-Target 2-3/4" 1-1/8oz 7-1/2 shot
and Federal Field & Target 3" 1-1/8oz 7-1/2 shot

Neither of these loads fully eject the empty shell. They seem to always get caught at the rim... they "almost" eject. The gun has been cleaned and lubed and it runs the same as when I just pulled it from the box and started shooting.

EDIT: It looks like it just needs a de-burr and minor polish of a few internal bits.

Sorry for your troubles but thanks alot for the info.

I've read these need a bit of a fluff and buff like some keltec guns ive had in the past.. I wouldn't let it scare me away for the right price.. until I get the chance to at least handle one they are near the bottom of the list.

The model 11 is a great gun but recoil operated and 12ga would probably wreck my shoulder. Similar problem with the 11-48.

Lots of help in here guys.

I would go with the 930 if you can find one in your budget, they are a proven performer. A sub $400 Remington 1100 is most likely going to be a well used fixed choke gun, and will require more maintenance than the Mossy to stay reliable IME. The Tristar really isn't a bad gun, in fact we use a couple as loaner/rental guns and have held up to thousands of rounds, but there really isn't any reason to choose it over the 930 unless the price difference is that important.
The most important thing about a shotgun is how it fits you. If you only look at the price tag, you may end up with a gun that you will never be able to shoot very well. If you can save up your pennies for a while longer, and get up into the $600 range it adds a lot more options.

Right now cheap gun is a priority and you have a good point about waiting a few weeks for the $600 gun.. Keep in mind I'm hooked now,and most guns I would buy could be resold for little to no loss.

CZ 712 is another choice. Great gun for the money.

So far as a brand new option I like this. Do you own one?

Do they have a recoil reducing system like the versa max..? I shot one of those recently and it was a sweet shooter.

Would probably go for the 720 20ga for my uses but I'm researching them now.

EDIT.. Reviews of the CZ/huglo shotguns aren't so favorable. Either great or horrible.
They don't seem to hold up very well though and need the O-ring changed often(some people say up to every outing).

 

[mdThanatos]

I voted for the Mossberg 930. I had a field model that I sold to fund a relocation, am kicking myself for doing so. Shot a bunch of the walmart 100 round packs of federal shells and had no issues what so ever with it. Didn't get too dirty and was not hard to clean, no failures of any kind except that the fiber optic insert disappeared on me one day, free replacement from mossberg. I liked the controls better than on an 1100 a friend of mine has.

 

[oneounceload]

Going cheap and buying a gun that will break more often than not is a better deal HOW compared to buying a quality gun once ans being done with it? Get the 1100 - cry once, buy once and be done with worrying about it

Read that sig line below and believe it............

 

[Mike1234567]

There's a difference between "cheap" and "properly budgeted". There are plenty of good-to-excellent low-to-moderate priced options in any genre of interest.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

You can find Remington 1100s used in the $350 range here. Heck, I bought an 11-87 for $400 OTD in good shape.

I do like the 1100s even better.

One note on the model 11s. I do like them. They're good guns, but they're not a gas operated action. They're recoil operated, which means if you shoot a couple of rounds of skeet, your shoulder is gonna be letting you know it.

 

[MrWesson]

Going cheap and buying a gun that will break more often than not is a better deal HOW compared to buying a quality gun once ans being done with it? Get the 1100 - cry once, buy once and be done with worrying about it

Read that sig line below and believe it............

Not particularly.

The 930,model 11 and 11-48 are all proven and every bit as reliable as the 1100.

The model 11 is in most ways a Browning auto-5,the 11-48 is basically the same as the 11, the 930 has a great track record with the 3 gunners I shoot with.

The 1100 is a great gun and I may end up with one but its not the last and only stop in this range.

There's a difference between "cheap" and "properly budgeted". There are plenty of good-to-excellent low-to-moderate priced options in any genre of interest.

In your opinion did I list most of the properly budgeted guns in this range?

You can find Remington 1100s used in the $350 range here. Heck, I bought an 11-87 for $400 OTD in good shape.

I do like the 1100s even better.

One note on the model 11s. I do like them. They're good guns, but they're not a gas operated action. They're recoil operated, which means if you shoot a couple of rounds of skeet, your shoulder is gonna be letting you know it.

Good point and my only hesitation on the model 11 and 11-48. If they were gas operated I would already have bought one.

1100s are running 450-650 here. If I could find one for 350 I'd be all over it. Its keeping me leaning towards the 930 at the moment.
I cant find one on gunbroker for close to 350 either and after you factor in shipping and my local FFL($25) it jumps up there.

 

[oneounceload]

The 930,model 11 and 11-48 are all proven and every bit as reliable as the 1100.

The model 11 is in most ways a Browning auto-5,the 11-48 is basically the same as the 11, the 930 has a great track record with the 3 gunners I shoot with.

You are not comparing apples to apples, but go with what you think is best then

 

[MrWesson]

The mossberg 930 and the 1100 both seem like apples to me. Keep in mind I haven't made a decision but I cant find these 1100's everyone is talking about in the 350-400 range.. most are coming in closer to 500.

The model 11 and 11-48 are definitely oranges.

I guess that makes the Turkish guns apples on sale that could be bruised and have a worm in there.

Could also be a half price tasty apple.

 

[Willie Sutton]

Remington Model 11 would be the classic... nothing like getting a Browning for 1/4 the price.
Plus Bonnie & Clyde used them. What's not to like?

Remington 1100 would be the vanilla choice, can't go wrong with one.


"Meh" to the rest.


Willie

.

 

[oneounceload]

MAYBE on the Turkish guns, some are VERY well made, some are definitely crab apples. I own a S&W SxS made in Turkey - AWESOME gun with details that rival some of the best from Spain and the US; other makers however can rival the cheapest junk from China. It is my understanding that the 930 is not US made, so correct me if I am incorrect