Cheap gas vs inertia

[brybenn]

I know we all want higher grade guns but I was talking with a few newer shooters and the gas vs inertia topic came up but this time with a twist. If you were to buy a cheap entry level auto loader would you have more faith in the reliability of a gas gun or an inertia model?
I admit im a gasser fan and have been lucky the cheaper gas autos I've had always worked well. Shotguns that is. However im curious what others think given the fact that entry level guns are made to the lowest price point and cheapest materials

 

[1oldfart]

have you heard the expression." You can pay me now or Pay me later"?

 

[maifire]

Counter to your gas preference, I am an inertia voter. Cheaper made platforms benefit from the simplicity.

 

[Ipscshooters]

If its not ARGO it doesn't exist in my life

 

[Potashminer]

On my work bench is a Weatherby SA-08 semi auto 12 gauge - made in Turkey - it apparently runs on the gas - it apparently comes with TWO gas valves - one for "weak loads" and one for "strong" loads - the owner lent the gun to a "friend" with the "weak load" gas valve installed - is apparent that the friend used "strong loads" - that sheared off lugs on the bolt - too much gas/too much gas pressure, I presume - over my head to fix that - I am not able to do the welding, heat treat and grinding required - Weatherby Service Centre in Calgary wanted $540 for that bolt - in other words, more than that used shotgun was worth. The gun owner said he would "get back to me" - it has been over a year since I heard from him.
A year or two ago, I had a Parker Hale brand semi-auto brought in - different issue - it had been riding around fields on a tractor - lock up for the bolt was totally filled with fine dust - latch would not fully close - therefore most of the recoil was being taken by the action bars - that sheared off those action bars at both bolt lugs. I do not know if that Parker Hale shotgun was gas operated or inertia operated, but it was filled with fine dust - that ended that thing.

 

[.22LRGUY]

I know we all want higher grade guns but I was talking with a few newer shooters and the gas vs inertia topic came up but this time with a twist. If you were to buy a cheap entry level auto loader would you have more faith in the reliability of a gas gun or an inertia model?
I admit im a gasser fan and have been lucky the cheaper gas autos I've had always worked well. Shotguns that is. However im curious what others think given the fact that entry level guns are made to the lowest price point and cheapest materials

Inertia if counting on it for the long run....and speaking from my own pretty limited experience there. lol

 

[Redsoilreaper]

Inertia. Just less things to deal with.

 

[stubblejumper]

To me, entry level semi autos start with the SX-4 or A300, the super cheap Turkish made semi autos are just a recipe for issues, and problems if parts are required.

 

[Falconflyer]

Like Potashminer, I've seen Sa-08's with broken bolt locks so they're just not worth the trouble when the parts cost more than a used gun. I would skip the "cheap" guns regardless of being gas or inertia and move up to something a bit more reliable.

 

[brybenn]

To me, entry level semi autos start with the SX-4 or A300, the super cheap Turkish made semi autos are just a recipe for issues, and problems if parts are required.

I agree with the gun options mentioned but I've found it much easier to get parts for Turkish guns bought from a reputable dealer than it is for getting anything thru stoeger for beretta or benelli