semi auto shotgun

[Illhunter]

been thinking about a semi auto shotgun  wanting suggestion for a decnet one but not alot of money to spend so any suggestions would be appreciated. would use it for all purpose hunting. 

[1marty]

I bought a Winchester sx3 12 gauge about a year ago. The recoil is soft and the gun is as light as a feather. The price over the last year though seems to have almost doubled. If, you are looking for an  all around reliable shotgun then I'd go with the Remington 11-87. Depending on the configuration they go for $500 to $600. You can shoot target to magnum loads. I also found Remington service excellent.
Stay away from the Franchi. People say they are the same as the Benellis but 1/2 the price. I bought one and it's the biggest piece of junk around.

[Illhunter]

looked at 11-87 the other day was kind of expensive but cheaper than the browning i saw and thanks for the help.

[Bigeasy]

Well, maybe my age is showing, but I would search the used gun racks for a decent Browning Auto 5.  You see a lot of them with some finish wear, but mechanically are sound.  I have a late 40's model that my uncle used for years as his duck gun back when you could walk out into the marsh in Stratford CT, and pass shoot black and  mallard ducks all day long.  He had a stroke, and ended up giving me the gun.  I loaded a ton of shells for that gun over the years, and the only problem I ever had was diagnosed as a worn friction ring - a common $10 part that cured the problem.  You can find a nice Auto 5 for around $300 to $400 or so, and they are worth every penny.  A little heavy (all steel) and beautifully made.

Larry

[mcwoodduck]

I shop the used racks.
I bought a Browning B-2000 for under $200 and took it apart re- assembled it the proper way and have a knock around 12 ga semi auto.
I bought a Remington 1100 where the Frame, stock and fore end all looked brand new the barrell had surface rust and from what I can tell it was a 30" full that was cut down to 25.5" for under $300 out the door.
Next week I had the gun shop order me a 26" screw in choke ribed barrel for $300 and now have a like new 1100 for under $600.
I am still kicking my self for letting an 11/87 that was about $350 in the used rack go.  It was a little beat up and missing all but the choke in it but Chokes are easy to get, same with wood or plastic stocks for the remington stuff and cheap.
If you find a current made gun in the used rack and it is 90% of what you want.  Get it and change the other parts you do not like.
Barrels, choke tubes, stocks,  Camo tape, leaf cut outs, and cans of spray paint can change a gun drasticly.  As long as the action seems smooth in the store not a problem.  most guns will be dirty in the racks.  guys shoot them andn then sell them.  they do not shoot them, clean them and drag them to the gun shop to be sold.

[Illhunter]

looked at a couple of nice guns today one was browning sweet 16 and it was $800 but did look at a few others like a charles daly field model  but not sure if they were any good. and a few others i saw but just not sure what i really want yet

[bkraft]

Lo those many years ago when I was a kid, the A5 was the go to gun. If your ole man had either a Sweet 16, or a Light American 12 you were the envy of anybody you hunted with. Another gun I've shared a few mornings in a duck blind with that was a real "keeper" was the Model 11 Remington.

[Graybeard]

New or used my recommedation is always the same. Remington 1100 or 11-87. I really never consider any other.

[Illhunter]

like those recommendations GB an A5 would be sweet but not likely going to happen unless i can find a deal 

[mattmillerrx]

if money is tight, and it always is, just a matter of how tight:  hit the gun shows and the used gun sections locally.  At least here the shotgun market is flooded.  You can get some very nice shotguns in the 250-400 dollar range.  I have tossed around the idea of getting one or two to serve as back-ups for me, give my wife something for when she want to break some clays, and the #2 would be one for the girls when they get old enough to shoot and would be one I could cut the stock back on to fit them.

You say the purpose is hunting. You do not say what you will be hunting. So I will speak to what I know:  upland birds--mostly quail,  a light weight Franchi AL-48 would be a great one.  Other nice options would be Rem 1100.  I prefer 20 ga myself, but the fact you looked at an 11-87 tells me you may be in need of a 3 in chamber and a 12 ga for duck or some other bird I have little experience with.  I do have an 1100 12 ga that has seen a lot of rounds and has held up pretty well but it had the plastic mag follower that would get twisted and cause the gun to not cycle.  Then it would come out to far and lock the gun up.  Fixed with a metal follower for about 20 bucks--kind of high for a the little thing but made the gun reliable now.  It will not cycle the really cheap ammo they sell in the 100 packs every-time either but will cycle good ammo without a problem.  The A-5 is also a good gun.

[Illhunter]

pretty much anything i could hunt deer, turkey, maybe some ducks and upland birds and maybeup close coyotes. mostly like 20ga myself. but will shoot 12ga if necessary.

[mattmillerrx]

In that case, Rem 1100 with a second slug barrel.  In your gauge of choice.

[bobg]

  i have an old Beretta 303. It shoots anything i run through it. I was going to buy a new one but the price has almost doubled and the new model weighs a lot more than mine. I had an 1100 that would not shoot my reloads. Didn't keep it very long. Never shot any slugs in the Beretta. I have an 870 with a scope on it i use for deer. Don't over look the Beretta.

[PCBIRDKILLER]

My wifes uncle has an NWTF special edition Wincester super x2.  Beautiful gun.  I just got my hunting licence and can't wait to take it goose hunting next month.  Anyone have any comments on this gun.  Good, bad?