Went out today looking for a Semi-Auto Shotgun,I have never had one before.Anyone own one? How do you like it? Need info. Thanks

I own 2 1100's and really like them.

Love my 1100 also.

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Illegitimus Non Carborundum

What do you plan on using it for, how much do you want to spend and does it have to be "new"? I assume you want a 12ga.

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"I also cook."

Get an A-5. 100 year old design, and still the best.

Mr. Browning was a true genius.

It will be used for HD. Price is not an issue really,just want a GOOD one . 12ga 3''

I've used a old Remington 11-48 spring action since I was a kid. I made the mistake of lubricating the recoil spring/cylinder. The lower friction caused excessive recoil and the bolt wore a whole on the receiver. That being said, I have nothing against the Remington 1100 series. However, I purchased a Benelli M2(3" chambers), because it is EASY to CLEAN, runs well when dirty, has only 3 moving parts in the action and has proven bullet proof so far. They are a bit more $, but it is a nice shotgun. Have fun!
Stonecove

Look at a Saiga

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0ge...a//saigashotgun.com/

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UWTW&G !!

The US Military went with the Benelli. It’s probably the best SA tactical shotgun, but it’s pricey. Hold your curser over M4 Tactical in the link.
http://www.benelliusa.com/index.php

I like the Remington 870’s or Mossberg 590 for HD, but they’re pumps.


For a field gun, I’d recommend a Beretta 391 or a used Remington 1100.

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"I also cook."

I bought a Rem 1100 tac4 with the 9 round magazine over two years ago and haven't fired it yet. But it looks way cool and I highly recommend one just on that attribute. It comes with three chokes, and I purchased a rifled choke to complete it. When I get around to it, I'll get the magazine tube mount for the las-tec laser.

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9tenz

My auto shotgun is a Remington 1100 I feel a good choice. Own several doubles and over and under. Favorite shotgun of all has to be my Remington 870 pump with Wilson ghost ring

I have had a Browning A-5 jam, a Rem 1100 jam and Win 1300 jam. But I have never had a jam with a Rem 870 or a Ithaca 37. My semi's are gone but my pumps have a place in the safe. Just my experience........

Do you want a shotgun for hunting, home protection or a combination of both?

The one I would not recommend is a Winchester 1911- known as the "widowmaker" for just that reason. Stay away from those. It was Winchester's answer to the Browning Auto-5 after Browning left them.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

My wife owns a Beretta 391 AL Urika. I find myself borrowing it with regularity. It's great...and I'm not an auto guy!!!!

Roughly what I would post. I'm not experienced enough with other shotguns to compare, but I certainly have no complaints against my A-5. Very simple and safe to operate, if you're used to old SA self-loading pistols.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Funny how we gun-guys seem to be such know-it-alls. Someone says "I want a semi-auto shotgun, any suggestions?" and some will start recommending pumps because that's what they have!

If you want a 3" 12, then I don't think the 1100 will do the trick unless something has changed since I last checked. I'm really partial to Benelli semi-autos.

I have. I not only remember having a jam with my Ithaca 37, I also remember the forarm breaking loose while shooting it.

Benelli makes a fine weapon, although it is a little pricey. One advantage, to me anyway, with a Saiga is the use of removeable box magazines. I would probably go with one of those for home defense. One of the main advantages to using a shotgun is it's abiltity to shoot a wide range of ammo and being able to switch them easily is a big plus.

While I have had 870s jam, they are one of the easiest shotguns to clear. But, just because someone has never had a jam or malfunction, doesn't mean they won't happen with any firearm.

Jellybean,
I believe I wrote that was just my experience. As you state, certainly any firearm can jam. My experience while in the duck blind, back home on the eastern shore of Maryland, was that my semi turned into a very nice single shot gun. But that probably made me a better shot anyway.

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, consult."

the Mossy semi(forget the model 925?) are suppose to be very nice SA 12's

I really really like my old HK marked Benelli M1S90 Tactical

as for pumps, I like the Mossy 500A and 590A1

I've owned several semi-auto shotguns. My current choice is the Benelli Super-Black Eagle. It's the most reliable shotgun I have ever owned....yes, even more reliable than the several O/Unders and pumps I've owned (still own).

Not the least expensive.

Just my .02 since you asked.

Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

I have a Remington model 11 that is the Remmy version of the A-5, they are good old shotguns. If I was to pick something new I would look into the Mossberg 930 spx for a HD semi auto shotgun. Hard to beat the Remington 11-87 also, which can be had in a HD setup.

Revolver-time, I understood exactly what you wrote. I was just giving my experiences too.

Benelli is the gold standard of semi-auto shotguns but they are expensive and easily over a grand. The Remington 1100/11-87 is a proven design that has been around for several decades and I hear very few complaints. I had an 1100 and a Franchi semi-auto and they were perfectly reliable but, I can't explain it, I just never liked auto shotguns. An 870 pump 12 ga. is a great hunting shotgun on everything for me except quail. I'm just not fast enough with the pump on those little birds, so I use a CZ Ringneck 20 ga. side by side.

I have grown to really love SXS's.

I just thought of something...

I would really love to see a gun magazine do a 2000+ round test of self-loading shotguns.
As far as I know, the testing side by side of shotguns in this kind of way hasn't really been done conclusively and documented well at all- most of it is from advertisements paid for by companies, which is just about as believable as advertising can be.

I've heard of guns going to Argentina and shooting thousands of rounds at doves, and even know gentlemen that do this. They always say the guides provide them with Benelli shotguns because "the others don't hold up." Why and exactly how don't they "hold up?" What I demand is solid fact, not speculation because the refuge/plantation/estate was provided with guns from a manufacturer "ad gratis."

No maintenance of any kind, and many different manufacturers of loads and loadings run through them, but all the same loads in the same order run through each gun.

A Belgian Browning Auto-5, an inertia Benelli and a Remington 1100- these three to start with at least.

I'd be willing to place a bet that an Auto-5 Belgian would stack right in there with a Benelli during this- if the guns started out in the same condition. A good used 1100 will last just as long, but might foul out and need the magazine tube cleaned off and o-ring replaced.


Just to add, most jams with pumps that I have observed are caused by "short stroking" the action- this is especially prevalent when someone gets "buck fever" or similar excitement.

I guess I'm just a funny-duddy because I don't see the need to have some kind of whiz-bang shooter status symbol of a $1K+ self-loading model-that-changes-every-year shotgun.

The newest self-loading shotgun I have is a Beretta 303 20ga, but that was because it was a good deal at the time. Of course, it was also lost in a boating accident.

Ok, I'm through pontificating.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

You'll be limited to what is in stock, which currently is going to mean that the only semi auto tactical style shotgun of quality to be found will probably be a Remington 1100. Saigas are floating around, but everyone who does the work on them to make 922r compliant tactical versions seems to be backed up. Benellis... I haven't seen one for a while.

The 1100s should work, just keep them clean and in good repair.

Check this out.
http://video.google.com/videop...-6750458630308006678

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Corripe Cervisiam

Winchester Super X1?

I know a guide that hunts ducks in the mornings every day of the season and every evening geese.
He may switch around, but he usually hunts twice a day every day of the waterfowl season. The weather in SW LA is not frigid cold, but it does get cold, hot, humid, and wet all the time back and forth.
For hunting, he recommends the Benelli Super Black Eagle II. He goes weeks without a decent cleaning job.
The Saiga 12 will function in extreme weather with its Kalashnikov gas-operasted system and is magazine fed. Two models, one easier to find than the other, come with a 19" barrel. It is a $600 gun compared to the SBE II as a $1500 gun.
If you plan to use the gun for multi-purposes one day in the future, I would buy what I could use. I like the Saiga 12, modified to 922r compliance, with pistol grip for HD shotgun. Reloading is quick, but that is for backup.
I am currently saving for a new SBE II for next waterfowl season. I plan to have it last me the rest of my waterfowling days. Good luck on your choice.

I’ve never had a jam with my 1100 or 11-87.
Though I have short stroked my 870.

I believe Benelli’s are very nice and reliable. I’d however not be able to run one without a heap of practice.

Emory

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Hard To Kill

http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php

+1 on the Benelli M4. I've had mine for about two years and wouldn't think of getting rid of it.

A 3" magnum for HD is a little over the top IMHO. Follow up shots with full loads are slow, and the recoil is downright punishing.

If you aren't going to use full house loads, there is no nead for the 3". The 2 3/4 12 gauge is a formidable weapon. Not much it won't stop DRT at HD ranges with 00 buck. Plus, it is much easier to control than the 3" version.

If you can go with a 2 3/4" chambering, it opens up many more autos to choose from.

I have two Mossberg 930's and am happy with them. One is the 930 combo with a sporting barrel and choke's and a 20 inch home defence barrel. The other is the SPX model and other than being fussy about what slugs it want's to shoot is a good shooter.

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Stay safe people!

I have seen way too many gas operated
semi 1100 rems. jam to trust them for
HD.
I think recoil operation is more reliable.
Saiga 12 also have been very good.

I bought a recoil operated rem. in 1975 for HD.
Runs perfect with buck or slugs.

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I Love This Site

If you take your time you should be able to find a Benelli Super Black eagle for around $900 used,or like new.I also found my HK imported Benelli Montefeltro 20g for less than that...Mike

I spoke with Hans Vang (Vang Comp Systems), social shotgun guru, with about the same question. I had a Remington 1187 SPT that shot my favored coyote load, Federal's 3", 2 oz., buffered BBs, with tolerably soft recoil, and was thinking of having Mr. Vang use that as the basis for a serious defensive/offensive shotgun. His opinion at the time was that there were only two extant semi-autos worthy of the task, the 1187, and a Benelli. He'd recently completed a contract for some federal law enforcement agency, DEA as I recall, and thought highly of the Benelli product (who wouldn't?) but assured me that the 1187 was a trustworthy tool, and that the issue of "O-ring" failure was a non-issue in a regularly maintained gun, i.e., replace the inexpensive O-ring now and again, and expect utterly reliable function. I prefer an auto vs. pump because with my 32" sleeve length, the reach to the forearm on a 3" action is a long and awkward stretch, something to be considered, depending on your stature.

Thanks for the info. I have a few pump shotguns.Always wanted a semi-auto. Is the Benelli recoil opperated?

The side by side endurance test has merit, but to be statistically valid, you'd need at least 20 of each gun. No one is gonna fund that!

Also, the tales of the dove/pheasant hunters are interesting, but not terribly valid if he shotguns are going to eat a diet of buckshot/slugs. The 11-87 was introduced after the 1100 "had issues" with extended service with heavy loads in three gun matches (pistol/rifle/shotgun).

I've got two Winchester Super Xs number one is the original model with blued steel, fine walnut and jams occasionally. The second is the model three with choke tubes, composit stock, black barrel and reciever, handles 23/4 to 31/2 shells.
I used both models when I go to Nicaragua for duck and dove hunting, with the model one being back up. In a week I'll fire 750 to 900 rounds. With original model one I'd have to clean the machine every evening. I think the Spanish shotgun shells were made using coal and sawdust. The model three didn't get cleaned the whole week and never jammed one.

Jim

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Cast bullets are the true and rightious path to shooting bliss

Yes it is,what they call "inertia driven" with a rotating bolt.Just clean the barrel and remove the bolt and clean it and that is it.Hardly any internals...Mike

Whenever social semi auto shotguns comes up in discussion I recall a conversation in a gunshop years ago. We were discussing the virtues of the two SA shotguns that were on hand, a Remington 1100 or 1187, don't recall which, and a Beretta 1201. One man in the conversation had been part of Ferdinan Marcos' security forces and, well, let's just say he had seen some things. He stated that he didn't like the Beretta because it has an aluminum reciever. I said that I liked the lighter weight of the Beretta. He said "When a crazy woman comes at you with a machete, and you use the shotgun to block her strike, the knife will cut right through the aluminum reciever." I said "If a crazy woman is coming at me with a machete, and I have a shotgun, I won't block her, I will shoot her." He said "I was out of ammo." At that point we ended the conversation.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

There is one advantage I really like with my steel receiver 870 wingmaster.It seems to handle the recoil really well...Mike

Can't disagree with anything you said.
I would HATE to shoot 2000 rounds through my A-5 though
I own(have owned) 1100's 11-87's A-5's & SBE's.
I have hunted in saly water marshes and NONE of these guns has ever failed to work properly (the 1100 is a 1st year model that has been passed down to me and to my brother-Hell, I never knew you could take it apart for cleaning until the late 70's-boy did some crud come out of it then )
I own the above more as examples of how they work (ok I own the benelli SBE II cause I was drunk and my bid won) as opposed to shooting any very extensively-I just love the physics of what makes these guns work. Most of my hunting these days is a 20 ga Red Label or my 20 ga Benelli-you can onlykill them so dead and the 20 ga works just as well for me as a 12.

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Forum consigliere

I don't have a lot of interest in an HD shotgun.

But, I am interested in the reliability aspect. As a trap shooter, I (we) shoot thousands of rounds of 12ga through our guns each year.

I have two. My wife's Beretta 3901 and my Beretta 302. Both are very rarely cleaned. I clean them when I can't hear the piston move and I find that it takes just as long to clean them when they are really dirty as when they are just dirty.

That being said, neither of them has ever jammed or misfired. Both eject and feed the second shell or eject and the bolt locks back when loaded singly (as we do most times).

I have had many 1100s and a couple of 11-87s and they were good for 3-500 rounds before needing to be cleaned. Every couple of thousand rounds, I replaced the O-ring. They never failed either.

So, with a clean gun, I would NEVER expect a bobble with either the Beretta or 1100/11-87 using quality ammo.

I have noticed with, some Benelli models, that the recoil is somewhat more severe than with the Beretta/1100/11-87s. Probably not enough to worry about in a home defense situation, but when one shoots 300 rounds or more in a day, as we do, recoil can become a problem.

There have been problems with 1100s, but most, IMO, can be traced to improper or too much lubing. 1100s like to be run dry while 11-87s can be lubed.

Bob

My primary hunting shotgun the last couple years has been a Benelli M2 w/ Comfortech. My current HD gun (and my hunting gun for most of the previous 30+ years) is an 1100.

Recoil difference between the two is indistinguishable (to me).

I will never ever again hunt with the 1100 as it feels like it weighs 10 more lbs. than the Benelli. But for an HD gun that is no real disadvantage.

Extra barrels (and frankly most everything) for Benellis are pricey. With a little patience you can probably buy two used 1100s for the price of one used M2.

Benelli M2 field with 22" bbl. It will do everything that you could want a shotgun to do.

I would think if you have to replace the O rings on the 11 78s they would have to be replaced on other gas opperated guns too? I was told that the Aluminum receiver on Mossberges are made from aircraft aluminum alloy,its as stronge as steel,''is this true''?The Mossberge 930 SPX has 5 star reviews and voted gun of the year by GUNS and AMMO.It looks like a good deal? But the Benelli has more votes here.

Not disparidging the Mossberg, but I put no faith, one way or the other, in G&A'a "gun of the year" awards. To me it just means that Mossberg spent a good amount of advertising money in their publications.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

Guess I'll try bumping up this thread, seems as though HD shotguns are frequently mentioned as a good option for a number of reasons. But this thread is devoted to semi-autos, so hopefully not filled with exhaustive and repetitive homage to the Mossy 500 and the Remington 870, both of which are fine shotguns but discussed at length elsewhere.

I've had a 20 year old Remington 870 Magnum Marine as my HD shotgun for many years. Nothing wrong with it, an excellent gun. But about three years ago I bought a Benelli Cordoba 12 gauge for waterfowl hunting, and have also used it for some skeet, trap, and sporting-clays, so have put thousands of rounds through the gun since buying it. Great gun, hasn't malfunctioned or jammed or failed to fire once. And the inertia system is clean, just swab out the barrel and pull the bolt occasionally and wipe it off, drip in a little lube, stick it back in and you're ready to go for another thousand rounds.

Based on that experience, I decided to get a Benelli M2 Tactical for HD and also just to play with. The shop discounted it $100 and there was a $150 rebate offer, so I got it quite reasonably compared to what they usually go for. I've hauled that thing everywhere in the last several weeks and it's great. This one has the pistol-grip stock and holds 5 in the mag. I just ordered an extension and think it'll hold 7 in the mag once that is installed. I will use it for the aforementioned HD, camping, vehicle carry, and 3-gun competition. I have a lot of guns and have to say that this one is a lot more versatile than most, and I anticipate that I'll get a lot of use out of it in the years ahead.

I liked the idea and the looks of the M4, but am thinking that the gas system of that gun, done because the Marines wanted it that way, was a step backwards, plus the M4 is tough to find and nearly double the price of my M2.

I have been a die hard duck hunter for nearly 40 years(anyone remember the point system) and I have owned just about all of them.And the one that surpasses them all is the Benelli Super Black Eagle#1 or #2.I don't care if it's 5 below and covered in ice or 95 in the swamps of Florida it just shoots every time you pull the trigger.they are a little pricey but they are well worth it.Change the choke and you have a great turkey gun another and now a great small game(hogs)gun shooting a slug out to 75 yards on open sights.I have a 26" barrel on mine,seems to swing a little faster for me.If anything happened to it I would not hesitate to go and buy another Benelli and not even look at anything else.Hope this helps.