You said you will use it for:
Well, for that purpose, you definitely do NOT need a $3000 shotgun. Heck, you likely don't need a $1000 gun.
My personal view is that if you are not primarily a waterfowl hunter, you don't even need a semi-auto. If you DID want a semi, and wanted the best hunting semi out there, I would look for a gently used Beretta Xtrema 2 or a new Beretta A400 with the kickoff option. These are around $2000 guns.
But since you are not a waterfowl hunter yet, consider a top quality pump action. It will be cheaper to buy a top quality pump than a top quality semi-auto, and it will work reliably with very little maintenance or shooter savvy.
If you want best of breed for what is currently manufactured, consider buying a brand new Wingmaster 870 off the shelf in the caliber of your choice. Most guys nowadays either gravitate to 20 gauge or 12 gauge.
Another possibility, if you can find one, is a new manufacture 3" version of the Ithaca model 37. Great gun.
Some guys really like the BPS too. Well made, though they are more complicated internally than the model 37 and harder to service (if you care). Still a great pump gun.
There are also a ton of polymer european pump guns out there like the Benelli Supernova - but handle them in the store first. They are reliable choices, but I found them overly chunky and they did not swing well for me.
Personal preference matters, so shoulder a few before deciding. Just buy a top-tier pump gun for around $1000, plus or minus a couple hundred bucks, and you'll be passing a fine gun to your descendants one day.
For the love of god: if you are looking for a high end gun, buy something made in the USA, Italy, (or possibly Japan if you like over/unders). Or if you want to spend stupid money, England and Germany make fine art expressed in blued steel and walnut.
For quality, avoid bargain or entry-level guns like the 870 Express, anything made in Turkey or Russia, most spanish guns, anything Chinese - you get the idea. While some of these guns can be turned into a silk purse, they don't ship that way. YMMV.
Well, for that purpose, you definitely do NOT need a $3000 shotgun. Heck, you likely don't need a $1000 gun.
My personal view is that if you are not primarily a waterfowl hunter, you don't even need a semi-auto. If you DID want a semi, and wanted the best hunting semi out there, I would look for a gently used Beretta Xtrema 2 or a new Beretta A400 with the kickoff option. These are around $2000 guns.
But since you are not a waterfowl hunter yet, consider a top quality pump action. It will be cheaper to buy a top quality pump than a top quality semi-auto, and it will work reliably with very little maintenance or shooter savvy.
If you want best of breed for what is currently manufactured, consider buying a brand new Wingmaster 870 off the shelf in the caliber of your choice. Most guys nowadays either gravitate to 20 gauge or 12 gauge.
Another possibility, if you can find one, is a new manufacture 3" version of the Ithaca model 37. Great gun.
Some guys really like the BPS too. Well made, though they are more complicated internally than the model 37 and harder to service (if you care). Still a great pump gun.
There are also a ton of polymer european pump guns out there like the Benelli Supernova - but handle them in the store first. They are reliable choices, but I found them overly chunky and they did not swing well for me.
Personal preference matters, so shoulder a few before deciding. Just buy a top-tier pump gun for around $1000, plus or minus a couple hundred bucks, and you'll be passing a fine gun to your descendants one day.
For the love of god: if you are looking for a high end gun, buy something made in the USA, Italy, (or possibly Japan if you like over/unders). Or if you want to spend stupid money, England and Germany make fine art expressed in blued steel and walnut.
For quality, avoid bargain or entry-level guns like the 870 Express, anything made in Turkey or Russia, most spanish guns, anything Chinese - you get the idea. While some of these guns can be turned into a silk purse, they don't ship that way. YMMV.
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