Thinking about a semi auto shotgun.

[Rule3]

No particular reason just there is void in my life I have a Mossberg 12g pump home defense model but always wanted a semi auto. I guess to alleviate some of the recoil. I have no problem with handgun recoil but hate pounding my shoulder.

I no little to nothing about semi autos but there is a Bennelli Super Black Eagle up at the shop for not a lot of money. It has a composite stock so no fancy wood to worry about. Looks and feels like a real nice gun. The action feels so smooth, I gather the Benelli is a good one? It has 4 or 5 choke tune inserts. I looked it up and there is a version 1 and 2 now.

Any thought, suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Len]

Based on owning an M4, I can only attest to the quality of Bennelli manufacturing. It's outstanding. Out of the box, fit and finish were flawless.

I picked this up, because I too wanted to soften things up a bit when it comes to recoil, I needed a HD gun, and wanted a fast firing SG that I could operate left handed without a hitch [being right handed, left eye dominant, I've always fired handguns right, long guns, left]. It is quite a bit easier on the shoulder than my Beretta O/U, the only similar gauge I own to compare to.

The firing system [don't know if it's similar to the SBE] is super clean on the innards. It's easy to break down by hand w/o tools, and, after a long day of shooting, other than cleaning the barrel, I find no gunk anywhere else!

It'll take magnum shells, but I don't have the fortitude to shoot those all day.

The only knock I find that you'll hear typical to the brand is the relative cost. It's a little harsher than other brands, but "you get what you pay for." In this case I did not feel financially abused.

Len

 

[Bat Guano]

Most of my shotgun experience was work-related--translated as 870 police models. They WORK. Semiautos don't always.

I would think that recoil would be mostly a function of the ammo; I have been kicked silly and had gentle push recoil by the 870, depending on what I put in it.

Purely business.

 

[pownal55]

Beretta and Benelli offer the most modern up to date designs, low recoil, light weight, etc. I must admit i never heard a bad thing about the remington 1100 and still use one.

 

[RonJ]

I shot a Remington 11/87 in competition. Many thousands of rounds fired with never a hitch, even when very dirty.

 

[Jellybean]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Berettas and Benellis but have never shot either one.
I have shot a few 1100s and still have one in 28ga., I've never had a problem with them.
I had a SPAS 12, which was a total piece of garbage and wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

 

[M29since14]

If you can get the SBE for a good price and it seems to suit you, you could do a lot worse. I hate to steer you to a foreign made gun but admit I have one myself and it is one of the best, if not the best, 12-ga. hunting shotguns I have owned. I wish Remington made it.

Their Montefeltro model in 20-ga. is an exceptionally nice little gun, too. If you plan to do mostly clay target shooting, the Berettas seem to be the "in" gun, at the moment.

The Benellis are not gas-operated, so you will feel a little more recoil with them than with a similar gas gun, but unless you shoot a lot of the really big boomers, you will probably not be bothered by that. I am kind of a recoil sissy and I can shoot a round of sporting clays with my SBE and barely notice the recoil. (With target loads, of course.)

 

[Rule3]

The Benellis are not gas-operated, so you will feel a little more recoil with them than with a similar gas gun, but unless you shoot a lot of the really big boomers, you will probably not be bothered by that. I am kind of a recoil sissy and I can shoot a round of sporting clays with my SBE and barely notice the recoil. (With target loads, of course.)

It has the "Armi System" which I guess is their inertia system?? I can get it for around $550 so it seems like a real good deal to me. Overall condition is excellent One little scratch on the barrel. I see the guys buying and trading those $2000+ Beretta and Browning, beautiful looking guns but I would be afraid to shoot them. Look like the kind you bring to "The Club" along with your smoking jacket. What I really like about the gun is it seems very light or balanced well.

 

[max]

Used Remington 1100's can be found very reasonably priced. I think they are hard to beat for the money.

 

[11B Lifer]

Autoloader

Old school-Browning A5-reliable, versatile. A little heavy, and without the right recoil pad-it can beat on you.
My wife has a Browning Gold in 20 gauge. Light, length of pull is just right, gas operated.
I still prefer my A5s.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Old school-Browning A5-reliable, versatile. A little heavy, and without the right recoil pad-it can beat on you.
I still prefer my A5s.

I'll second the though. An Auto-5 is one of the most reliable shotguns money can buy used if it hasn't been abused or home "gunsmithed." Get a good used FN, Browing or even Remington or Savage on the design that is somewhat more affordable, and you can get an extra barrel to trim for home defense.

I guess I'm being contrary, but I just don't like the feel of the inertia-operated spaghetti autos at all. The gas operated are somewhat ok in small gauges, as I have a Beretta 303 in 20 bore and it's ok for plinking and clays, but it still don't feel like a stout gun.

If you can find a good used Remington 1100 or 1187, those are good as well.

 

[Farmer17]

If you can get a Benelli for $500 I would say jump on it. I have never owned one but have heard very positive things about them and they seem to be the favorite auto right now, but generally I prefer pumps or side by sides. I've had a Franchi and an 1100 auto and never had any problems with either but I just liked pumps better. I wasn't quite fast enough when I did a lot of serious quail hunting so I bought a CZ SXS 20 gauge and I love that gun dearly. I'm really surprised semi-auto shotguns are not more popular with law enforcement because the Browning auto designs were very popular with cops back in the 1930s and 40s and they have always been extremely reliable.

 

[oldfella]

How about the Saiga, any one own one?

Saiga 12ga - Google Search

 

[Rule3]

A lot of folks around buy the Siaga's. Pretty foolproof system but they get them for the capacity drum magazine and or the stick mag.

I like the Remington semi Autos also, if I ever see a CZ I would snag that in a hurry. I like Cz's

 

[BE Mike]

A lot of folks around buy the Siaga's. Pretty foolproof system but they get them for the capacity drum magazine and or the stick mag.

I like the Remington semi Autos also, if I ever see a CZ I would snag that in a hurry. I like Cz's

You really can't go wrong with the Benelli, especially for that price. The Rem. 1100's and Browning A5's were fine in their day, but the Italians really have made great strides with auto shotguns. BTW, I own a Browning A5 (Belgian Made).

 

[jkc]

Sounds like a bargain. For HD use, check out the Federal buckshot loads with the FliteControl wads --- super patterns without expensive barrel mods!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Give the Mossburg 930 some thought. Reasonable price, reliable, simple gas system that shoot's anything with no muss or fuss. I have two and they are great gun's.

 

[Freischütz]

11B Lifer has it. A Browning A-5 is reliable and will last forever.

Their only drawback is steel shot. You'll need an Invector barrel for that. And they are pricey.

 

[smith41mag]

If you can get a Bennelli Super Black Eagle for 550.00 you need to buy it. That's a heck of a deal. I have a HK/Bennelli M1 Super 90.

 

[Kanewpadle]

The Stoeger 2000 is probably the best underrated semi auto available. Stoeger is own by Benelli.

Stoeger Defense Guns