Winchester Super X-1 Opinions or other S/A's

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Craig9802

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I'm starting a search for a semi-auto, but I haven't had many opportunities to try various models out yet. I've shot some trap with my brother's Rem. 1100, and it shot fairly well for me. My eye keeps getting drawn back to the Winchester Super X-1, which has some major die-hard fans out there. I've also looked at the Franchi 48AL a bit, but I'd probably be happier in the long run with a slightly heavier gun with less recoil for regular use.

In terms of time, I'm guessing this gun will be used 50% for clays (all flavors) and 50% upland birds. In terms of rounds fired, probably more like 98 / 2%.

2 questions:
1) What other makes / models should I take a look at in the $300 - $700 (used) range? I'm willing to take on a fixer-upper for this as well, as I have some time I can devote to a gun project if need be.

2) What are the opinions on the Super X-1 from the general community? On various Winchester forums, I've heard a lot of "it's the best, softest-recoiling, gift from God ever conceived and executed", but haven't heard many specifics regarding reliability with different loads, durability, ease of repair, spare parts availability / cost, etc.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Craig
 
Probably the best

We've had a lot of threads on the SX-1. Probably the best autoloader every made. I've got a trap and skeet model. Great trigger, nice wood. The market could not sustain the cost of manufacturing. You could almost buy 2 1100s for the cost of one SX-1. I doubt if you'll find a good one for less than $600. But there's always a deal out there somewhere.
 
Super X rocks

Th SX1 is one of the finest semi auto shotguns ever made....if not the best[ if 2.75" shells are your only requirment ]. The only gun I would I would put in its league is a Beretta gas gun, and in that price range you could find a older 303, 390, or maybe a newer 391. The only advantage the Beretta's will have is a lighter weight for your upland hunting, and factory choke tubes, if that is a concern.

With a SX1, you could easily have a couple of barrels to cover your needs. If you look at having thin wall chokes installed in the existing barrel, find the best, most knowledgeable shop to do it, I recommend SEMINOLE GUNWORKS or Briley, as SX barrels can be tricky to install chokes in correctly[ that is a long thread in itself ] and treat those super thin choke gently, as they will be VERY thin, and fragile. If it were me, I would just hunt down a couple of barrels and call it good.
 
Get the X1, it's a superb shotgun.

The AL48 is a fine upland gun, but the light weight will beat you up at the range. OTOH, the X1 may feel a bit heavy a couple cornfields away from the truck.
 
Thanks, gentlemen! It's nice to hear additional confirmation of the SX1's virtues. I think I'll add it to my long-term wish list and continue to look around. I've seen a couple out there still NIB in off-the-beaten-path shops, but they often seem to be priced to keep them there. I'll just keep my eyes open and wait for the moment when the gun fund and the right opportunity meet.
 
I bought a nice field grade SX1 on GunBroker a year or so back for $454. I then bought a skeet grade from a friend for $550. I put 28" fixed mod choke bbls on them both. I shoot one and my wife shoots the other. I just today bought another field grade on GB for $306, it is a little rough but will make a great back up gun. I shoot Winchester Super Sporting ammo through mine. 1 1/8th oz of 7 1/2 shot at 1250 FPS. Recoil is pretty light. Shop around and don't pay over $500 for a nice field grade, or over $750 for the engraved skeet or trap model. for parts, check out http://www.nulineguns.com/
 
I accept without reservation the opinions of this group that the SX1 is a superb semiauto shotgun.

But I have to ask (having never so much as held one in my grubby mitts) - why is that so? What features and characteristics make the SX1 more desirable than, say, the Remington 1100?
 
Every part of the SX-1 is machined, not stamped.

A lot of a 1100 parts are stamped and casted parts. And they work very well like that. I have no problem with a 1100 or 11-87, I own a couple of each.

But the SX-1 has no stamped parts or castings. Thats why it died an early death, the 1100 could be bought for about $75 less. And with a Remington suiting the needs of most shooters, they bought them instead of spending an extra $75.

Winchester kept making the skeet and trap models several years after they stopped production on the field grade guns simple because that market still supported it.

I shoot sporting clays with a SX-1 with 28" fixed Mod bbl. I always shot a Browning sporting o/u. I was asked by a friend of mine " why are you shooting an auto now ?" And the only answer I gave him was that " I shoot it well" And thats the main reason I shoot a SX-1. It works for me.

Now.... if I was recommending an auto to a new shooter or novice shooter. I would probably tell them to buy a Beretta 391. The reason is this. SX-1's do break, as does ANYTHING mechanical. And if you aren't into fixing guns yourself, you should buy a modern production shotgun that is easy to find parts for and can get it worked on just about anywhere. Personally, I have owned several 390 and 391 Berettas and they just didn't fit me the way this SX-1 fits me.

If you are looking, try and buy one that DOES NOT have a screw through the vent rib in front of the front sight. Now... if you are going to leave the fixed choke alone and not have it opened up or have screw in chokes installed, the screw rib (older) type will be just fine. BUT, if you plan to install screw chokes, I would avoid the screw in the rib type. That screw holds the "floating" rib onto the barrel.
 
The Super X 1 was designed to feel and handle like the great model 12 pump gun. Its all machined construction is in keeping with this. My Super X handles and shoots just like my model 12, but with less apparent recoil.
 
The Super X was so well made it garnered a hard core group of fans who never tire of telling everyone how wonderful it was/is, but that number was way short of the number needed to keep it from being discontinued. Some people swoon over machined parts and hand work in assembly, and some don't.
 
1) What other makes / models should I take a look at in the $300 - $700 (used) range? I'm willing to take on a fixer-upper for this as well, as I have some time I can devote to a gun project if need be.
Click to expand...

For that price you can not beat a Remi 1100. The Super X-1 seems like a fine shotgun, but for that price a used 1100 will serve your needs very well.
 
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