Beretta Urika or Browning Gold Field Hunter?

[SuperstitionCoues]

Hi.

I am yet again facing back surgery, having re-herniated the same disk at L5-S1 that I did a couple of years ago.

So, not wanting to subject myself to any more recoil than I have to, I am seriously considering buying a gas-operated autoloader. I haven't decided between an 12 or a 20 ga. yet.

What is your opinion on these two brands and models, and are there any others I should consider.  If it were your $$$ and your back, what would you buy?

Thanks in advance!

[mjbgalt]

I don't know anything about the Beretta, but i do own a Browning Gold Hunter in 20 gauge. it fits and swings very nicely and i do not mind the recoil. it is the only shotgun i use now and i really have no use for anything else. i have shot 1187, 1100, 9200, and an Ithaca autoloader, and none compare to the Browning, for fit, finish, operation, or ease of cleaning.

-Matt

[Bullseye]

Never shot the Beretta, but fooled with a Browning Gold for a few years.  A single shot would be better than the Gold because you can reload it without clearing the jam.  In researching my Golds problem I found more people that had bad things to say about it than good and when my asking price was only $450 I still had no takers.

I prefer the Benelli's because they have much less forward weight than the gas guns, but I suppose you want the gas gun for recoil reduction.  In my opinion and my wifes (the gold was hers and I replaced it with a Benelli Montefeltro and now have one my self also) the Benelli does not kick any worse than the Gold.  She did shoot the Beretta before buying the Benelli and did not like the feel as well.

[RWH24]

I shoot Beretta's in 12ga and 20ga 391's. Love them both. My hunting pardner shoots a Browning Gold Hunter in 12ga. I have shot his and he mine. Both are very nice guns, the Browning is supposedly easier to shoot/operate ....Don't know...Shoulder both and see which one fits you and buy it. Both are excellent quality guns....Each his own choice.

[CityCop]

I have both of the shotguns in question.  I selected the Gold Hunter 12 as my primary use shotgun based on the following:
1) I found the Browning easier (faster) to both load and reload. 
2) For me, the Browning operation system can be considered user friendly when compared to the Beretta.
3) The Browning is much easier to break down and to clean.

I will keep my Beretta. I enjoy using it on occasion. But like any thing else, ask a hundred people and get a hundred different answers.  Find a friend or friends that have both and will ley you test them prior to making a purchase. 

CityCop

[RandyWakeman]

http://randywakeman.com/goldsuperlighthunter.htm

[Ahab]

Beretta Urika in 20 gauge.