Advice for next purchase: semi-auto action and finish.

drvrage

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Howdy folks,

I'm looking at getting yet another 12 ga. but this time I want a semi-auto. I'm reading as much as I can but there is so much B.S. out there I was hoping to get some experience talking. I'm looking for opinions on the following 2 topics:

1. Inertia vs gas operated actions. I'm leaning towards inertia as I don't mind 2 3/4 shotgun recoil and I love the cleanliness of inertia. What do you think?

2.Blueing vs Advantage Camo. I'm a bit of a lazy bum when it comes to drying guns used in rain. I've recently started purchasing only XCR/nickel guns because to me blueing sucks. Is the Advantage camo on the Franchi/stoger protective against rust and is it better than blueing for water/rust/scratch resistance or does it just ride the rust that is slowly rotting the gun away?

As always, thanks in advance for your opinions.
 
gas operated systems definately have to be kept cleaner, so if you're not into cleaning and drying after hunting in the rain, then i guess inertia is the way to go.however even inertia needs to be cleaned to function and cycle so maybe you should lose the habit of not cleaning regularly. inertia systems generally have a heavier recoil than gas operated.ido think that camo finnishes do not rust as easily as bluing, but again for the few minnutes it takes to dry and clean a shotgun, to me , it's rather beside the point.
 
The camo gives you a false sense of security, they do rust a bit slower but you also don't see the rust as easily.

I have never had an inertia action, they do kick more I guess.

Myself I have owned:
synthetic blued, 1100
Synthetic Blued, 11-87
Wood blued, Browning Gold
Synthetic, (matte finish) Baikal MP-153

I love the MP-153, great gun, indestructable, needs cleaning but less than the Browning and WAY less than the Remingtons. The Baikal also does not have a recoil spring in the stock so you never have to remove it for cleaning. I never did remove the Browning stock for cleaning but it was coming soon, the remingtons had to be done often.

Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--GbVKwDfNU
 
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Inertia shot-guns begin with the Very first one ever made,that would the the A-5,then some Rem Mod 11,11-48,newer ones benelli.

None of them not even the Benelli gas guns will reseat and fire as fast as the

old A-5(two stage trigger). It's more about the weight of the gun you wish to carry.

Its hard to beat a beretta A303,390,AL 390,any of the older 300 series.

These older gas guns will run with anything you put in them,ad easy on your shoulder!

Bob:)
 
i've had gas and recoil operated. currently have an rem.1100 and A-5. the 1100 is much easier on the shoulder,but is tempermental and has to be kept very clean. the A-5 and some rem11-48's can be had for a very reasonable price and are in good condition. as far as speed of firing, if your hunting it's rather a moot point since your really splitting hairs.
 
I've owned or used the 1100, A-5, SBE II, and Mossberg 930. The 1100 was by far the softest shooter, then the 930, the A-5, and the SBE I found kicked most. My 1100 isn't finicky; it keeps on running with a little CLP. It's proven itself since 1963? to be durable and reliable - great grun. I wouldn't worry about the cleaniliness thing too much. The gas guns are so easy to strip for a quick cleaning it's hardly even worth mentioning. As long as you use a good synthetic lube, cleanup should be a wipe with a rag, and a light spray.
 
For targets I like a gas gun. If the gun is to be used only for hunting then inertia.

I do more clay shooting than waterfowling and I shoot a gas gun because it has to do double duty. But if I were to get a gun just for waterfowling it would be a Benelli in a camo finish.
 
I've owned or used the 1100, A-5, SBE II, and Mossberg 930. The 1100 was by far the softest shooter, then the 930, the A-5, and the SBE I found kicked most. My 1100 isn't finicky; it keeps on running with a little CLP. It's proven itself since 1963? to be durable and reliable - great grun. I wouldn't worry about the cleaniliness thing too much. The gas guns are so easy to strip for a quick cleaning it's hardly even worth mentioning. As long as you use a good synthetic lube, cleanup should be a wipe with a rag, and a light spray.
X2!! My 1100 will shoot forever with anything you put to it!! Soft shooter too!!
 
What about o rings going in the field on gas? I want click-bang. not click. As for the comments about will shoot any load? does the inertia have problems with different loads? seems that everyone says they are capable of shooting just about anything out there.
 
a browning auto 5 magnum will shoot anything, however for different loads ,rings under the forend have to be removed for lighter loads or added back on for heavier loads. i have a client who's having a tough time with a brand new extrema when it come to shooting light loads.this particular gun needs to be cleaned constantly to cycle target loads. some gas operated systems claim to cycle everything, but i've seen more than a few that wouldn't
 
What about o rings going in the field on gas? I want click-bang. not click. As for the comments about will shoot any load? does the inertia have problems with different loads? seems that everyone says they are capable of shooting just about anything out there.
Of the common brands, only the Remingtons use o-rings. Beretta, Brownings, etc. don't have them.

I've owned three 1100s including a 28 gauge currently. From a reliablility and performance standpoint the 1100 isn't in the same league as the Beretta or Browning and the newer Remingtons seem to have far more problems than the other brands.

Inertia guns are not as accomodating with lighter loads. Benelli suggests nothing lighter than 3 dram 1-1/8 ounce. Hunting loads are typically heavier.
 
What about o rings going in the field on gas? I want click-bang. not click.

Remington 1100's don't go click, they may go bang-click, but never just click.:p If you blow an o-ring, and I own 2 1100's and I haven't yet, it takes all of thirty seconds to change in the field. The gun will still function as a single shot, but may not cycle with the o-ring blown. There are going to be people that will tell you that plain old cheap automotive o-rings will not work as well, this too I find hard to believe, since the cheapie's are all I use, I change them for shame sake only. As a diesel, automotive, heavy truck, and heavy duty/equipment licenced technician, trust me.;) Just toss a couple of o-rings in with your spare choke tubes, or your pocket for emergency's sake and you will probably never need them.
 
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