recomendations on auto-loading shotgun

[MikeGrad]

Title says it all - i'm looking for a 12 gauge to use in 3 gun mostly, but probably would use for trap too. Maybe those requirements don't mix, but i would love to hear your recommendations and pros and cons. Trying to keep the budget under 1k so i think that takes benelli out of it.

I had looked at a mossberg jerry something but was told here its a jam-o-matic, so that's out.

the latest I'm looking at is a remington versa-max tactical, which i can get for just about 1k.

What else should i be looking at?

 

[meketrefe]

You should be able to get a benelli M2 for 800 or less.
wait for season deals. The tactical has a grip but a field one will do the same and come with 24" barrel.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Only auto loader I've owned was a 1100 Remington in 12g luved it wish I still had it never had any issues with it

 

[Frankly]

Go on the Brian Enos forum and buy a used one already modded out. Most of the cheaper than Benelli brands run fine but you have to clean them more often, use the right loads, keep the bolt lubed. You can run a Benelli dirty for quite a bit longer.

$500-700 for a good used modded mid-grade 3G shotgun like a Remington, Mossberg, Stoeger, etc. $1200 for a nice used Benelli shotgun with mods or a new Beretta or Breda.

Unless you have a lot of money it's silly to buy new and pay for modifications, instead buy one ready to go and broken in.

 

[MikeGrad]

You should be able to get a benelli M2 for 800 or less.
wait for season deals. The tactical has a grip but a field one will do the same and come with 24" barrel.

thanks! when would the season deals show up? Right now gun.deals only has a used tactical for under 1k. also, I think i need it to hold more than 3+1 shells... I'm assuming they have an extension kit for most of these?

 

[ManrisFrack]

Used 1100 or 1187. Nearly every deer hunter in the state had one 10 years ago and most put 10 or 20 shots through them a year. Now everyone is using rifles to hunt with. You can get 'em for a song now. Talked to a guy last season that was holding half a dozen that he couldn't sell.

 

[Criticalt]

My 1187 has been going strong for 30 years, never had a single problem.
It has thousands of rounds through it.

 

[Criticalt]

Also, I love my Benelli M4.
Once you get used to the loading system, it is marvelous.

 

[freddy]

Also, I love my Benelli M4.
Once you get used to the loading system, it is marvelous.

What specifically about the loading system?

 

[togmaster]

Versa Max Competition Tactical

No modifications needed. BTW they would not like that on a trap range. They will make you put a rubber band on it.

 

[MikeGrad]

Versa Max Competition Tactical

No modifications needed. BTW they would not like that on a trap range. They will make you put a rubber band on it.

Too rich for my budget.

 

[Criticalt]

What specifically about the loading system?

The CLR and a couple other things are different than other semis. Once used to it, it is superior IMO.
About 5 minutes in, this video shows what I mean.

 

[meketrefe]

thanks! when would the season deals show up? Right now gun.deals only has a used tactical for under 1k. also, I think i need it to hold more than 3+1 shells... I'm assuming they have an extension kit for most of these?

They are coming up soon mid September I think. But check the local LGS.
Last year my buddy got the M2 tactical for $750 in Beikirchs / Rochester. Weekend deal not even in season.
For extra loads you can buy an extension tube and spring for $40 bucks or so including a clamp.
Where are you located?
you also have the 1187 compact sportsman. The aftermarket for the remingtons is amazing.
The versa is really a clone of the M4.

 

[meketrefe]

Miculek uses a 930... of course he doesn't have to worry about the trigger group
because he probably has the top folks looking this thing over.
Otherwise they can be considered. No sure how easy they are to fix or upgrade.
Needs more research.

 

[Frankly]

Nordic Components and others sell model specific tube extensions, springs, and end caps for 3-Gun and times you want to blast a lot of shells. I wouldn't pass on a gun because the length of a tube isn't just right.

For semis I owned a $250 CZ that worked fine with 1oz loads and squirt of lube in the chamber for every case of shells. I've also had a Benelli M2 inertia-driven and several gas-driven Berettas that were a lot better.

Cheapest nice gun you can get a Walmart Beretta A400 in 26" or 28" for cheap and add an extension tube kit for 3Gun. It'll be really soft shooting because it's a gas gun. Clean it every couple cases of shells. Add an extended bolt release and go to town hogging out the loading port with a Dremel tool for 3gun, otherwise just leave it alone. For hunting/clays take the tube off and go back to stock. Get an adjustable comb to change the POA/POI if you shoot a lot of trap. I think guns like these take 500 shells just to break in so just go have fun banging away.

Here is a beautiful gun (I have no association and usual caveats apply) that has everything done to it and will be competitive and fun:

http://forums.brianenos.com/topic/252722-wts-beretta-1301-comp-w-port-and-lifter/

You'll get a lot better info on 3Gun over there than you will here ;-p

 

[Podmonkey]

Those are nice, they are also very nearly $2,000. There is one on the wall at SPAR in Harrisburg, I look at it with a lustful eye whenever I'm in there. Then my gaze drifts over to the .308 Galil Ace at near the same price.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

1. versa-max (gander had em for $625 last week!)
2. benelli
3. new browning A5
4. 1301 beretta

you need to adjust your budget to get a good modern autoloader.

OR

run an 100 or 1187

 

[Eddie Gunks]

The versa is really a clone of the M4.

uuuummmm? not really? benelli is a recoil operated system. the versamax is a gas operated system (and it automatically adjusts to your shells 2.75 to 3 to 3.5) to help mitagate the recoil.

it is kinda a clone of the 100/1187.....just better and updated.

the stoeger is a POS that is a clone of teh benelli

 

[GOYABEAN]

You can get this SAS12 12GA Semi-Auto Shotgun - $139.99 not sure if it's land legal or how well they function

 

[meketrefe]

uuuummmm? not really? benelli is a recoil operated system. the versamax is a gas operated system (and it automatically adjusts to your shells 2.75 to 3 to 3.5) to help mitagate the recoil.

it is kinda a clone of the 100/1187.....just better and updated.

the stoeger is a POS that is a clone of teh benelli

The M4 doesn't use the inertia anymore. It uses a piston they call the Argo system that is self regulated that makes it very reliable with any loads even the lightest ones.

 

[GTN]

Beretta 1301.

 

[MikeGrad]

thanks for all the comments. Im going to wait a few weeks to see if I can get a deal on a remington, otherwise its going to be the stoeger. New, and in my budget range.


edit: right after i posed this, i clicked back to look at new and read this thread!
m3000 not striking

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Don't buy a stoeger.

Save your money.

Stoegers suck.

 

[Mr. terzmo]

Can't say enough about a Remington 1100..(haven't use an 1187 but they claim as good)..excellent gun...I also like the Browning gold trigger model I have but it's more $$$$ than the Remington and it's performance is the same.

 

[Chipperxd]

another vote for the Rem 1100. I had a Tac 4 version and it was a great shooter.

 

[Mr. terzmo]

what's also nice about an 1100 is that it can be rebuilt easily. Recoil is minimal too. I shot trap/skeet sporting clays and went through hundreds of rounds weekly and mine never broke..easy to breakdown and clean

 

[meketrefe]

what's also nice about an 1100 is that it can be rebuilt easily. Recoil is minimal too. I shot trap/skeet sporting clays and went through hundreds of rounds weekly and mine never broke..easy to breakdown and clean

Those are great shotguns specially the old ones. I have one and it has been very good.
the only issue I have with that gun is that it is not as reliable as the benelli in extreme cold weather.
The o-ring with any lube might cease and cause malfunction. I have yet to try with silicone based grease.
But it is not too often I go out at 25 below so not a huge deal.