Experience with semi auto shotguns?

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lewiss009

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Hi guys I'm considering purchasing a semi-auto shotgun I was looking at many different models and was considering the super black eagle 2 from benelli or maybe the sporter benelli model. I was wondering what has your experience been with gas operated shotguns and inertia operated shotguns? I do realise that the inertia is supposed to be the better of the two in our day and age for most advanced technology. But I'd like your personal opinion.
Thanks
 
lewiss009 said:
mainly for goose hunting. Yeah sorry I meant the benelli super sport.
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The Super Sport has a ported bbl., so it'll be a bit louder if that matters to you.
Inertia driven guns seem to have less residue to clean.

If you're goose hunting, you'll probably be using pretty heavy loads so inertia driven guns shouldn't be a problem.

Have a look at some different models and see which one fits you best. Neither gas or inertia should give any problems, that's a toss up. Don't base your buying decision on that.
 
It is generally thought that Benelli makes very good semi-auto shotguns, as does Beretta.

A buddy of mine got a fantastic price on a Beretta from Prophet River Firearms (site sponsor). He's put in the neighborhood of 500 duck and goose loads through it and he's very happy with it so far.
 
lewiss009 said:
mainly for goose hunting. Yeah sorry I meant the benelli super sport.
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I'd rule out the Super Sport because of the ported barrels. Very loud in a blind. Also it is only 3" if that matters to you. The SBE is 3-1/2". If a 3" gun is sufficient then consider the Benelli M2. Same gun, lower price.

Inertia guns are simpler, easier to clean but have more felt recoil. Provided the shells are of sufficent strength and the gun is properly lubricated and maintained it will be 100 per cent reliable.

Gas guns are softer shooting, more accomodating to a wider range of shell strength but a little more complex and somewhat more difficult to clean. If kept properly lubricated and maintained they will be 100 per cent reliable.

The SBE's gas-gun counterpart is the Beretta Extrema. The comparison model for the Super Sport is the Beretta Urika. I prefer gas guns to inertia but am a clay target shooter who hunts. A hunter who might shoot a few rounds of clays to practice would be well served by the Benellis provided he stuck with heavier 3 dram target loads when doing so.
 
lewiss009 said:
claybuster with the enertia guns what would entail a proper cleaning and lubrication?
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Whatever the manufacturer recommends. The manuals will have lubrication and maintenance advice. Usually a very light covering of oil on the mating surfaces is sufficient.
 
A friend has a Winchester super X2 that he likes a lot. The X3 is a slightly newer verison I'm told.

I have a Browning Gold and it is a virtual twin of the X2 and I like it a lot.

They are gas guns.

Another buddy has a Stoeger 2000 (intertia) and he likes it. I've shot it a bit and don't find the recoil objectionable.


I have an old Browning A5 recoil operated shotgun too and the kick is noticeable on that one, but the A5 has a certain charm about it so I like to take it out at least once a year to keep it exercised.
 
I hunt mostly waterfowl with some upland hunting and sporting clays thrown in for fun. I switched to a SBE 2 this year and I love it. We hunt snow geese every chance we get and I probably ran somewhere between 300 - 350 goose loads through it plus some duck loads. Compared to the 870 I was using I can hardly feel the recoil. I used it last spring for sporting clays just to start shooting it and never had a mis-feed. I used cheap #7s and 8s. I keep it clean and lubricated and never have had an issue. I hunt with a couple of guys who have extremas. One never cleans his gun and it always works well. The other cleans his religiously and has had some issues. Pick the one you like best and take care of it and it will probably work fine.
 
Another thing you should consider is how well does the semi cycle the cheap low brass rounds. We go crow hunting a fair bit and some of the guys I hunt with can not run the cheap low brass in their semis because they will not cycle the action. When out crow busting and shooting skeet it is a big plus if you can get 100 rounds of the cheap stuff for about $30. If your gun will not handel the low brass...you may have to shell out more money on better quality shells just to shoot clay and crows
 
Semi's

Wow PM you just brought back a flood of memories did a lot of crow hunting in the 80's pre -kids might have to try that again,,back to semi's Browning gold black 3.5" .Ten years old shot everything from pheasant to geese,had to drill a drain hole in the stock from using it as a paddle in the marsh.Ultimate complement from my partner, "that thing looks as bad as your old 870" and works just about as good,:D:D
 
Nothing ported, to hard on others in your group. I've used the 3 B guns, a Rem 1100 & 1187, SX 1 & 3,. Go with what fits. Last 2 years my hard use has been the Baikal/Rem and no prob. even after a couple of duncking in the slough :(. All work great but the bigest thing is fit. No fit no hit.
 
Gaboy, why is your other friend that is religiously cleaning his gun getting issues with it. That's why I'm hesitant of buying a semi. I had a friend who had a high end benelli, can't remember the model. He cleaned it all the time after every hunt and it still jammed. I don't understand that. And I do want one, but I'm not willing to pay for a defective item.
 
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