Which Auto???

[KenSel]

Okay I'm wanting to buy a good reliable auto that I will use for a lot of upland bird and turkey hunting as well as rabbit and squirrel and if I make a friend in Indiana that has a boat and dog then it'll see some action in the duck blind as well.  Oh and I may want to get a slug barrel for it and use it for deer but I'm not to concerned if I can't get a slug barrel for it as it'll mostly be my upland and turkey gun.  I have several that I'm looking at, some are a little steep in price but I'm willing to pay if it means that it'll be more reliable and reduce the recoil better than the lower priced guns.  Here's my list,  please let me know anything that you know about these guns good or bad.

1.  Benelli M2 Field
2.  Beretta American Citizen and/or Statesman
3.  Beretta Urika 2 Synthetic without Kick-off
4.  Browning Gold Stalker and Superlite Hunter
5.  Browning Silver Stalker
6.  Mossberg 930
7.  Remington 1187 Sportsman
8.  Remington 1100 G3
9.  Smith & Wesson 1020 and/or 1012
10. Winchester Super X3 Composite and/or Field

Wow that's a pretty big list!!  I really like the price and the features of the S&W line but I haven't heard much about them.  If you have any experience or knowledge of any of these guns please let me know.

Thanks,
Ken

[1sourdough]

 I have a 24" M2 & a 26" Gold. Either have been fine guns. I think Browning has a $100 rebate on the Gold right now.

[KenSel]

Well I've decided to go with an 870 Express.  Not exactly an auto but it will fit all of my needs very well and I'll have some money left over to buy a varmint rifle that I really want.

Ken

[1sourdough]

 Nothing wrong with an 870. A slug barrel will also be easier to find.

[Questor]

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy the 870. Another benefit you'll reap from owning the pump gun may come in the form of less maintenance. I don't have an auto shotgun, but I've seen guys cleaning them and it's not too appealing. I kind of like just being able to remove the barrel and swab it out with a Tico Tool, then wipe it down and put it back together. I use auto 45 pistols a lot and my least favorite part of owning them is the cleaning.

Another advantage is that you can get just about any kind of barrel or accessory you can imagine for the 870.

[dougk]

Well I've decided to go with an 870 Express.  Not exactly an auto but it will fit all of my needs very well and I'll have some money left over to buy a varmint rifle that I really want.

Ken

What swayed your decision to go with the 870 Express vs any of the autoloaders you have listed above?  I like your choice, but I am trying to understand what swayed your decision.
Thanks
Doug