Hi:
Considering a gas operated semi-auto 12 gauge for H.D.
Would like one that has 3" chambers and will fire any length shells and maybe lightweight.
What make and model ?
Thanks,
Jimmy

Jimmy ... Not sure if this meets your reqs, but I owned a Mossberg SPX and was very pleased with it. The recoil was surprisingly light with various 12 gauge loads, and it functioned flawlessly.

Mossberg & Sons | Mossberg 930? Special Purpose

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I'm with the banned ...

Once upon a time I had a Remington 11-87 Police with ghost ring sights. It was a handful, but would cycle anything that we had. More recently, I had a Remington 11 Military Finish with an 18" barrel that I really liked, now I have the longer barreled version that I can hit most things flying and I really like it.

The 11-87 seemed to be easy on the shoulder (easier than the 870's we had)....The model 11's are comfortable to shoot when set up correctly (and they are pretty cheap around these parts)

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On the Oak Savannah

Beretta makes a defense/riot semi auto. Don't need one (have 5 pumps) but on a National Geographic documentary about the town that the Polar Bears wander through (Maybe Churchill) everybody that was armed had one of these Berettas, and that was a major endorsement to me! Only made in 12 gauge, 5 or 6 +1 shot. Ivan

Something to consider is a pump will function with every and all power of loadings, light powder puff to magnums loads.
That being said, the Remington 11-87 would fill the bill nicely. It has become my favored semi-auto shotgun for anything and everything hunting and target wise..
My inside the house nightstand shotgun is a pump, I just like the pump and a police officer friend said in this role, where something has gone bump in the night and you have fired a round, there is a margin of safety if you have to manually reload with a pump. Adrenalin being high, if a self-loader, you may not realize the gun is loaded and cocked and you have your finger on the trigger. He felt it might lead to an unintentional discharge.
I don't know if I agree . I just like pumps and since I had a spare one, shortened the barrel and decided to use it as house protection.
Guess you could say I repurposed it.

Gary

You could probably pick up a reliable pump up for under 200.00. If it has damage at the end of the bbl, it's a plus because the bbl could be cut to a handy length. In the house, light loads would be all you need cause the distance is close. Leave it by the bed WITHOUT a round in the chamber and if you need it rack the slide to load it. If anyone is in the house and hears the sound you just made, they will gone for sure. Won't have to fire a shot. The scary thing not really knowing who is in the house, could be someone you know. Good luck, Larry

I believe that Jimmy asked about a gas-operated auto; not a pump. Look for a good used Remington M-1100, not necessarily with three-inch chamber. You don't need three-inch shells for your purpose.

Learn how to replace the O-rings as they may dry out.

Some M-1100's have broken action bars, but they were usually guns that'd been shot a lot, usually by clay target competitors. Shotgun writer Don Zutz told me to always take spare action bars on hunts, or a spare shotgun. Sound advice, but not usually needed. He was very fond of his Skeet Grade M-1100, but I think he had an IC or Modified barrel on it. He wanted the better wood on the Skeet Grade. He may have used a barrel with screw-in chokes. I may look later for his letter, if time permits.

Beretta autos are good, but cost more and they change models more often than Remington has, so spare parts and service may be more iffy. Any so-called gunsmith even half worthy of the name can service a Remington shotgun.

If I was buying a semi-auto shotgun to shoot truckloads of doves with in Argentina, I'd buy a Beretta M-391 or a pair of them. With the far lower bag limits in the USA, don't think the Remington will let you down, but current QC is said to be poor. An older slightly used one is probably good to go after cleaning. And the M-1100 is one of the best-pointing shotguns for most people ever devised.

If it's mainly a HD gun, look for a Deer or other slug gun, or buy a replacement barrel that length. An ordinary bird hunting gun will usually work just fine.

Remington 1100 or 1187. You are probaby familiar with the 870 pump, so handling characteristics are similar

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War Eagle! '10 BCS & '13 SEC

Underline the above. The 930 will function with both 2 3/4" and 3" loads.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I've always preferred the Remington 870 Pump with extended magazine tube and/or the Ithaca M37. The Ithaca is great for lefties because it ejects from the bottom. The Remington holds 7 while the Ithaca only 5. IMHO they are both worthy well built HD Shotguns.

I love Autoloaders, but not for HD.