Sorry, not a post about Clint Eastwood or the golden age of western movies. I'm looking at semi-auto shotguns, and of course I like the price on the $500 shotguns, but I like the features on the $3000 guns. Start looking at the $500 guns, but for a few dollars more you can get... all the way to $3k. My question - what shotgun features (brand upgrade, model upgrade, whatever) did you pay extra for and look back on as money well spent, and what features do you look back on as money that would have been better spent on shells?
For a Few Dollars More
- Thread starter Rye_one
- Start date
What are you looking for? Hunting? Clays? An all-arounder?
Decide first on gas vs inertia as they are for all intensive purposes different guns. If you are only firing a few dozen shells a year a low cost semi could do everything you ever ask it for without complaint. If you plan on high volume shooting that should be an immediate indicator imo that extra dollars could be well invested.
Make sure that if you go for a 3.5 chambered semi that they can reliably function on 2.75 target loads as well unless you are 100% certain (and you probably can't be) that you will never want that option.
Decide first on gas vs inertia as they are for all intensive purposes different guns. If you are only firing a few dozen shells a year a low cost semi could do everything you ever ask it for without complaint. If you plan on high volume shooting that should be an immediate indicator imo that extra dollars could be well invested.
Make sure that if you go for a 3.5 chambered semi that they can reliably function on 2.75 target loads as well unless you are 100% certain (and you probably can't be) that you will never want that option.
I have had a few semis, the best by far was a Benelli SBE2, you shove a shell in and it would shoot and cycle it, any shell from big magnums to light target loads. Plus with the SBE3 out there now, you can get a good deal on the SBE2. Another good gun is the Winchester SX3, it is far cheaper too.
I am looking for a good all round gun. It will almost definitely see more clays than birds, but I want something that does sporting and hunting well. I've tried the A400 and the SX3, both shoulder well for me so I guess the thousand dollar question comes down to reliability...
I bought a Armed semi online from a Canadian dealer. Support following purchase was poor being a Turkish clone of another gun. I has issues finding English instructions and reliability is not perfect. If I could do it again and will eventually my next shotgun will be a mid market over/under as I found most of my shooting has been at clays or pheasant so 3"covers everything well enough and local product support would be nice. Parts etc... really 1 to 2 reds is all I will ever need to fire so even a single shot would serve my purposes unless I even do some double clays. For me an over under would fit the mood perfectly as a do everything I need.
Features I wanted need in a semi
-ability to plug the tube to legal hunting capacity
-some form of built in recoil pad/or system to not punish you
-easy maintenance/breakdown
-interchangeable chokes with tools included
-made of lasting materials (some inexpensive shotguns look like rust attractors to me)
I do like my shotgun a armed impactor when it works it's flawless, light and a perfect multirole shotgun that was inexpensive but initially I had issues with light strikes when it was breaking in and also had a misterious "it just went off moment" when my friend was using it and I looked away while we were shooting clays at the camp. I think he just had itchy fingers but swore it went off just when he closed the action. I have put 50rds thru it since at the range cycling the action multiple times but only got a very slight depression on some primers after closing the action. Possible I guess and reason enough for me to replace it when I have the means again.
Features I wanted need in a semi
-ability to plug the tube to legal hunting capacity
-some form of built in recoil pad/or system to not punish you
-easy maintenance/breakdown
-interchangeable chokes with tools included
-made of lasting materials (some inexpensive shotguns look like rust attractors to me)
I do like my shotgun a armed impactor when it works it's flawless, light and a perfect multirole shotgun that was inexpensive but initially I had issues with light strikes when it was breaking in and also had a misterious "it just went off moment" when my friend was using it and I looked away while we were shooting clays at the camp. I think he just had itchy fingers but swore it went off just when he closed the action. I have put 50rds thru it since at the range cycling the action multiple times but only got a very slight depression on some primers after closing the action. Possible I guess and reason enough for me to replace it when I have the means again.
If you are primarily going to shoot clays avoid the 3-1/2" guns and stick with the 3" chambers. A gas-operated gun (Beretta, Browning, Winchester) is preferable an inertia/recoil action like the Benelli. Choose a gun with choke tubes and a shim system to adjust the fit and you are set.
