Reasonably priced semi auto shotgun?

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DerrickLee

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Edmonton Area
Hey guys,
I am looking for a decent cheap semi auto shotgun but i don't know much about
semi shotguns. I would be using it for upland birds and maybe a waterfowl hunt or two and of course sporting clays at the range. I cant really justify spending 1200+ on a shotgun if I am only using it a few times a year so I am just wondering what you guys could recommend. I was looking at the Remington 11-87 Supermag. Is this any good? Will it get me by? Any other recommendations would be very helpful as long as it isn't a Mossberg.
 
DerrickLee said:
Hey guys,
I am looking for a decent cheap semi auto shotgun but i don't know much about
semi shotguns. I would be using it for upland birds and maybe a waterfowl hunt or two and of course sporting clays at the range. I cant really justify spending 1200+ on a shotgun if I am only using it a few times a year so I am just wondering what you guys could recommend. I was looking at the Remington 11-87 Supermag. Is this any good? Will it get me by? Any other recommendations would be very helpful as long as it isn't a Mossberg.
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I bought a super mag 1187 when they 1st came out and it would not cycle no matter what I did with it.However now I hear guys are having no problems with them.I was looking for a semi a few months ago and like you could not spend 1300.
I asked a gun dealer and he told me if I wanted a 1187 super mag to get one made after 2000. I am not sure what changed in 2000 perhaps someone on the form does.
In the end I bought a used browning gold stalker off the EE for 800 shipped and am more than pleased with it.
 
If you're looking for something under $1200 in a semi, look at the Browning Silver range. You should be able to pick something up for under twelve bills and they shoot amazingly well. The self-adjusting piston setup is brilliant, I broke mine in with a cheap case of light target loads and it ate them all no problem and the recoil management is great.
 
Depends if you want a 3'' or 3 1/2" chamber on your gun. IMO 3" is preferable for upland hunting and will work just fine for waterfowl. Also a 3" chambered gun is more likely to cycle light loads for clay shooting. You might want to look at the Beretta AL391 Urika.

If you really want a 3 1/2" chamber, then as previously mentionned above, the Browning Silver is a good gun, but it does have trouble cycling light loads.
 
wow sounds like a lot of mixed reviews on the 1187 supermag. so lets narrow this down. How about something under a thousand bucks preferably with a 3 1/2" chamber and is available in camo. Or am i just dreaming?
 
Problem is a gun with a 3 1/2 inch chamber might not run the 2 3/4 bird/target loads very well besides if you want to break clays, and hunt upland birds you do not want to be using such loads. You don't need 3 1/2 inch shells for geese, or ducks, 3 inch is more than enough.

The new Stoeger 3500 claims to do just that, and is right in your price range, but not here yet, I don't think.

That said I am loving my Mossberg 930. I have put around 300 rounds through it now without a single issue.

I heard plenty of good reviews here, and found many online. I would recommend it to anyone, and it is well under your price limit.

The 935 is the 3 1/2 inch chambered model, and is more money but has issues cycling light loads, as with many as mentioned above. It is also quite a bit more money.

My review:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582326
 
DerrickLee said:
wow sounds like a lot of mixed reviews on the 1187 supermag. so lets narrow this down. How about something under a thousand bucks preferably with a 3 1/2" chamber and is available in camo. Or am i just dreaming?
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I would stay away from the 1187 supermag but if you want one I know where their is a mint 3 1/2 stalker for 600 and tax, send me a Pm.
If you will take used yes you can buy a good 3 1/2 in camo 12ga. I don't know anything about the mossbergs so will not comment but have old browning golds and x2 & x3 winchesters.
I picked up a brand new x2 on the EE just a few months ago in 3 1/2 still in the box for 900.
Had been sitting for years and mint. I know there is an old gold on there now for under 1000 in camo.
Any of those guns , if you keep them clean work fine and have good resale if you decide to sell ot trade later on, that is why I would not buy a cheep semi now but you maybe one that keeps them for life.
 
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For starters I'd say for your needs you probably don't need a 3 1/2 inch shotgun.

I got a used Browning Gold Hunter for $550. That and the Winchester X2 are virtual twins.

At the 'wack gun show I saw a three-inch Browning A5 for less than $600. I'd bet you coulda got it for $500. A bit heavy for any serious upland though.
 
DerrickLee said:
wow sounds like a lot of mixed reviews on the 1187 supermag. so lets narrow this down. How about something under a thousand bucks preferably with a 3 1/2" chamber and is available in camo. Or am i just dreaming?
Click to expand...

Since you mention more Upland + Clay Shooting with little Waterfowl in the mix - I would look for a used Beretta Urika 391 with 3in chamber ..... it is doable with a close to 1k budget.
 
well thanks for everyones input. I have a lot to think about I guess mainly whether to go with a gun with a 3 inch chamber or a 3 1/2. Right now i am leaning towards the 3 inch as it sounds like it should meet my needs as an all around shotgun(waterfowl, turkey, upland, and clays) for getting started, plus it saves me a couple bucks and maybe it will give me an excuse to buy a 3 1/2 down the road haha. thanks guys
 
I have a Beretta AL391 Urika Semi Auto, for sale actually. 3" Chamber, in a camo finish, 5 chokes. It was flawless for me, and I was told by a gunsmith freind of mine that they were one of the best mechanically engineered guns on the market. I have since upgraded to the the Benelli SPE II. But if you're interested in my Beretta, let me know.
cheers
 
i just bought a new browning silver in 3"
i have put about 500 shells of winchester target load
"AA" and the cheeper stuff 2 3/4
have had no issues at all. i bought it becuase of the 14 1/4 lop
and i am very happy.
 
I just went through the same process. I decided the 3.5 wasn't necessary for me. I went with the Berreta Urika II synthetic. Brand new $1000. These were previously $1500 so I couldn't resist. Should be here early next week.
 
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