What Semi-Auto Shotgun Should I Buy?

[okie556]

Okay......here's the deal. Just got into shooting Skeet/Sporting Clays. I have a Yildiz 12ga. O/U and took it out to bust a few birds over the weekend. The thing shoots great..............hit a lot of birds but here's the problem. Just had Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel Surgery on my left hand and elbow at the end of last November and the same thing on right hand and elbow during Christmas. I have a shoot coming up March 21st at for my grand-daughters day school and after shooting this weekend I don't think there's a way in hell I can break that O/U open 50 times..............hence the need for the Semi-Auto. I only have $500.00 to spend but want something reliable......at least 28" barrel and replaceable chokes. Looked at the Stoeger 2000 but read a lot of negitive stuff about it. Any other suggestions?? Thought about selling an AR and just go ahead and bite the bullet for a Benelli but hate to part with it.

 

[Jeff-Tex]

In that price range I would look for a Remington 1100 or 11-87. Both very reliable.

Edit: Didn't realize you had an 1100 and sold it. Sell the AR, get an Extrema 2, they are the fastest and lightest on recoil.

 

[okie556]

In that price range I would look for a Remington 1100 or 11-87. Both very reliable.

Edit: Didn't realize you had an 1100 and sold it. Sell the AR, get an Extrema 2, they are the fastest and lightest on recoil.

Since I'm new to shotguns..........was wondering about buying an auto designed for hunting (such as the suggested Extrema 2) versus one designed for trap/skeet. One would think the hunting autos are designed to use high brass magnum loads which would not be needed in trap/skeet shooting. Would the gun still cycle consistantly with lighter loads? Also a trap/skeet gun must cycle at least a 100 times before cleaning.......just wondering?

 

[The_Hunter]

I have a mosberg 930 I have used to break clays, it works great and it ate everything I fed it. It should run you about $400 if you can track one down

my .02

 

[TheDan]

I've heard good things about the CZ shotguns, but no personal experience. They can be had for under $500.

 

[Dawico]

I had a Beretta 390 something that was a good gun. It was the lower end model at Academy for about $500. It always fed and fired great. I have moved up to a Benelli and love it.

 

[dee]

The 1100's are good and the 11-87's (which are a lil cheaper than the 1100's) are just a heavier version made for stonger shells. Both are good guns and will work great as long as they are in good shape. The 390 and newer models called 391's are also great those are the only autos I have alot of experiance with besides a Browning A5 which will beat you to death on recoil. The Benelli's are good but out of your range besides a Nova pump.

 

[okie556]

I have a mosberg 930 I have used to break clays, it works great and it ate everything I fed it. It should run you about $400 if you can track one down

my .02

The 930s I find are short barreled tactical versions...............I am wanting at least 28". Thanks for the info.

 

[The_Hunter]

The 930s I find are short barreled tactical versions...............I am wanting at least 28". Thanks for the info.

Ya I had to do a lot of hunting for mine. I think I found it at the Gander Mt in College Station

 

[okie556]

I had a Beretta 390 something that was a good gun. It was the lower end model at Academy for about $500. It always fed and fired great. I have moved up to a Benelli and love it.

Thanks.......the 390 is on my list to check out. What model Benelli did you get and what makes it better than the 390?

 

[Big country]

Here are the CZ semi-auto's as suggested earlier. I really like some of their O/U to.
CZ-USA -> CZ 712 UTILITY
CZ-USA -> CZ 720 SEMI AUTO REDUCED LENGTH
CZ-USA -> CZ 712 SEMI AUTO
CZ-USA -> CZ 720 SEMI AUTO
It seams that they really only have two models and just made one shorter and one shorter and plastic. Here is the link I pulled them off of that has all the CZ shotguns on it. CZ-USA -> Product Categories . Good luck and I hope you heal up fast.

 

[Texas1911]

If you do alot of sport shooting, get a Benelli Super Sport. Ditch the AR.

 

[Dawico]

Thanks.......the 390 is on my list to check out. What model Benelli did you get and what makes it better than the 390?

I have a Super Black Eagle II. I wanted an auto that would fire 3 1/2" shells and everything else reliably without having to change out parts. It is the best as far as shooting all shells, but probably not as good as their other models for dedicated shooting. The new Vinci is supposed to be pretty sweet in about the same price range.

The Beretta I had I couldn't add a mag tube extension to. The gun had a 2 round magazine on it and that was all it would ever have. It was a good gun, and that wasn't a major issue, but I was just ready to upgrade. There was no aftermarket for anything for it. It was Beretta's entry level auto. It did have choke tubes though.

 

[okie556]

I have a Super Black Eagle II. I wanted an auto that would fire 3 1/2" shells and everything else reliably without having to change out parts. It is the best as far as shooting all shells, but probably not as good as their other models for dedicated shooting. The new Vinci is supposed to be pretty sweet in about the same price range.

The Beretta I had I couldn't add a mag tube extension to. The gun had a 2 round magazine on it and that was all it would ever have. It was a good gun, and that wasn't a major issue, but I was just ready to upgrade. There was no aftermarket for anything for it. It was Beretta's entry level auto. It did have choke tubes though.

Thanks for info.............big help!

 

[okie556]

If you do alot of sport shooting, get a Benelli Super Sport. Ditch the AR.

Thanks Alan. Think I'll post AR this week. If it sells I'll be looking for a Benelli............if not will most likely have to go with Beretta 390 or similar.

 

[okie556]

Here are the CZ semi-auto's as suggested earlier. I really like some of their O/U to.
CZ-USA -> CZ 712 UTILITY
CZ-USA -> CZ 720 SEMI AUTO REDUCED LENGTH
CZ-USA -> CZ 712 SEMI AUTO
CZ-USA -> CZ 720 SEMI AUTO
It seams that they really only have two models and just made one shorter and one shorter and plastic. Here is the link I pulled them off of that has all the CZ shotguns on it. CZ-USA -> Product Categories . Good luck and I hope you heal up fast.

Thanks Big! Lot of good info there.

 

[aberbaseball7]

If you find a beretta 390 in the NWTF camo and dont want it, I am looking for one and have had no luck. I also sold my 1187 which I loved and plan to find the 390 as it sounds like the best bang for the bug semi in my price range also.

 

[Big country]

No problem. I have a CZ handgun and love it. I've never messed with thier rifles or shotguns but I hear lots of good things about all their products, I've never read a bad reveiw on any CZ. Good luck!

 

[okie556]

Okay I found a new Franchi I12 at a local gun shop (not Academy but better price than Academy). I've read that Beretta owns them as well as Benneli, Stoeger etc and all are Inertia instead of gas which should allow for different load without changing anything internally. Any thoughts on the Franchi as a beginner skeet/trap gun?

 

[4x4kayak2112]

Extrema 2 is very nice, my buddy has one......it hasnt malfunctioned yet, he says he shot about 500 rounds thru it so far